MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

"Look at you," Ashley said softly, smiling down at Ava.

They were sitting on the carpet near the living room window where sunlight poured in gently.

Ava, curious and full of energy, clutched a small stuffed animal and carefully placed it on Ashley's lap like she was gifting her something priceless.

Ashley exaggerated a gasp. "Is this for me? You're spoiling me, Ava!"

Ava didn't respond with words, just babbled something under her breath and gave a proud little nod, clearly satisfied with the exchange.

She reached for another toy as Ashley looked on, genuinely charmed by the toddler's quiet confidence.

"Your daughter's got taste," she said, glancing over her shoulder, knowing either Damon or Svetlana was nearby. "And attitude. Dangerous combo."

Ava continued her work, handing over toys like building a collection, completely unaware of how much joy she was spreading with something so simple.

Svetlana, who had just returned from the hallway after checking on the kitchen, heard Ashley's comment and smiled.

"I wonder where she got that from," she said with a raised brow, stepping further into the room.

Her eyes settled on Ava, who was now babbling to herself, stacking toys in a way that only made sense in a toddler's mind.

The girl's tiny hands were busy, her focus absolute. It was like watching a commander organizing her troops.

Svetlana walked closer and knelt, and the moment Ava spotted her, she squealed and ran, well, wobbled quickly, into her mother's arms.

"Oh, now you want me," Svetlana said playfully, catching her and pulling her close.

Ava pressed her face into her mother's shoulder, mumbling happy nonsense, clinging like she hadn't seen her in days.

Just then, rapid little footsteps echoed in from the hallway.

"Mommmm!" Theo's voice rang out ahead of him.

He skidded slightly as he entered the room, eyes wide with excitement, cheeks flushed.

"Unco Dayymon said when I get my own bell… I can get one!"

Ashley blinked. "He said what?"

Theo turned dramatically to Damon, who was definitely in earshot somewhere nearby, and pointed, "You said it! You said it, Unco Dayymon!"

From the next room, Damon called back, deadpan, "I said good luck, not good belt."

Theo frowned, confused, then looked to his mother for support, and Ashley just shook her head with a smile.

"That's not how it works, champ."

"But it should!" Theo protested.

Theo stopped mid-protest the moment his eyes landed on Ava. His little face lit up instantly, like he'd just spotted a cartoon character in real life.

"Baby Ava!" he gasped, saying it like it was both her name and a title. He hurried over, legs moving fast but a bit wobbly, and dropped to his knees in front of her with wide eyes. "She gots tiny feet!"

Ava, still perched on her mother's lap, blinked at him curiously. She reached out a hand slowly, then immediately grabbed a handful of his shirt like he was a plush toy.

Theo giggled. "She touchin' me! Mommy she touchin' me!"

Svetlana laughed, gently freeing his shirt from Ava's grip. Ava let out a babble that sounded like "ba-ba-da" and held out one of her toys toward him, then immediately pulled it back with a stern look like she was reconsidering her generosity.

Theo gasped. "She's funny. She not sharinnn."

Ashley smiled from the side. "That's about right."

Theo leaned in closer, whispering like he was sharing a big secret. "It okay, Ava. You can keep it. But next time, you gimme your bear, okay?"

Ava stared at him for a beat, then stuffed the toy into her mouth.

Theo turned to Ashley, confused. "She eatin' it now."

Ashley patted his head. "That means she really likes it."

Inside the house, Theo was still babbling to Ava in half-formed sentences while the two mothers watched from the couch.

The room was filled with soft laughter, tiny footsteps, and the quiet rustle of toys being tossed from one corner to another.

Out back, the mood was different.

The sliding door clicked shut behind Damon as he stepped outside. He wiped his hands on a kitchen towel and walked over to the grill, where Joey was already waiting, poking around the meat with a pair of tongs.

"So you going back to your house in Stockton," Damon said, picking up a skewer. "Was shocked when I saw people still holding fights there without you."

Joey laughed, a low, amused sound. "Ay, it is what it is. But to be fair, I think it's good." His tone settled into something more serious as he looked past the smoke.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, you know how it is when you don't have a lot of opportunities," Joey said. "I've seen that kind of thing keep people off drugs. It helped me in a way, even though I wasn't the one fighting."

Damon flipped the skewer slowly. "You're not wrong."

Joey leaned his elbow against the patio table. "I used to just sit there, watch dudes fight for two hundred bucks. But it gave 'em something. Something to stay focused on. Even the worst guys, they showed up every weekend."

"Even if it was a little messed up," Damon added with a small grin.

Joey shrugged. "Better than getting jumped into some set or OD'ing in a stairwell."

The grill crackled in the silence.

"Crazy how far we've come," Damon said.

Joey chuckled. "Crazy how far you've come. I'm still trying to convince my kid to eat broccoli."

Damon snorted. "Yeah well, at least you're not fighting maniacs in a cage every few months."

Joey grinned. "Nah, I'm just fighting diaper blowouts and sleep deprivation. Same thing, less blood."

Damon laughed under his breath, flipping another skewer. "I'm glad you're still around, man."

Joey nodded. "Right back at you."

Damon smirked as he placed another skewer on the grill, the sizzle rising with the heat. "Alright, let's start this meat. I'm sure Victor will arrive soon. I'll head out soon to go pick up my mom."

Joey turned slightly, lifting a brow. "She still won't let you buy her a car?"

Damon shook his head with a sigh. "I've tried. She says I'm not wasting my money on her, and that she can still walk."

Joey laughed. "Bro, if I had a chauffeur, I wouldn't drive either."