MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

They all moved into the main room, catching up and easing into the energy of the gathering. The noise from the kitchen, the faint music playing through the speakers, and the warmth of a full house brought a relaxed comfort that settled in easily.

Joey rocked his son gently in his arms while Ashley finally sat down for a breather. Svetlana couldn't keep her eyes off the baby, occasionally making little faces to get a smile out of him.

They chatted more, updates, small stories, jokes bouncing around effortlessly.

Ash leaned back on the couch, arms folded, watching the interaction with a crooked grin. "Man… Joey's got a kid, Damon's engaged. My friends are starting families and I'm still stuck dealing with old men and business meetings."

Joey snorted. "You're just jealous we got out of those meetings."

Damon smirked, raising his water. "Freedom's overrated. I just signed up for a lifetime sentence."

Svetlana elbowed him lightly, eyes playful. "Say that again at your own risk."

Everyone laughed.

Damon smiled, leaning into the moment.

"Of course not," he said, glancing at Svetlana. "You're the one stuck with me."

She rolled her eyes with a grin, but the way she looked at him said she didn't mind one bit.

They continued hanging out, laughter moving easily between them. Ashley fed the baby, Svetlana sat close beside her, and the conversation drifted from relationships to work, to random stories from training and the usual chaos they all used to deal with.

Eventually, Victor passed through the room and gave the guys a nod. "Let's go. Grill's hot."

It was the kind of invitation that didn't need explanation.

Damon stood, Joey and Ash followed, and the three of them moved out back to join Victor by the large outdoor grill. The smell of seasoned meat already filled the air, thick, spicy, and smoky.

Victor had everything set up: slabs of meat laid out, tongs in hand, beer bottles sweating on the table beside him.

But he gave a warning with a grin as they approached.

"This batch? Might be a little too spicy for the soft ones."

Ash took a cautious sniff and stepped back. "Yeah, I'll wait for round two. My stomach still remembers last time."

Joey laughed, grabbing a pair of tongs. "That's why you bring milk, rookie."

Damon just shook his head and grabbed a drink, watching the smoke rise as the meat sizzled.

It didn't take long for everyone to settle around the long dining table. Plates filled, drinks poured, conversation flowed without effort.

Laughter bounced off the walls, stories, little jabs, memories pulled from years past. Even the quiet ones found their voices in between bites of perfectly grilled meat and side dishes passed around like clockwork.

By the time dessert came out, the mood was warm and full, both in stomachs and hearts.

A tray of sweets was set in the middle, and the room quieted just a bit as plates were handed around.

Damon glanced across the table at Svetlana.

She hadn't said anything yet, but he could feel it.

The little glances.

The way she shifted in her seat just slightly.

She wanted to say it.

She wanted to tell them.

It was her moment too.

And whatever she decided, however she wanted to share it, he was right there with her.

When Svetlana stood up, her hands resting lightly on the back of her chair, the room slowly quieted.

Laughter faded into murmurs as heads turned her way, all wearing smiles.

Everyone already knew about the engagement, so it wasn't a shock to see her rise and ask for attention. It made sense, maybe she just wanted to give a little speech, say a few words, make it feel official.

No one expected anything more than that.

But they were in for a surprise.

Damon leaned back slightly in his chair, arms crossed, watching her with calm pride.

Svetlana's gaze moved from one side of the table to the other, eyes briefly landing on Victor, Macey, Aoife, and then their friends.

She smiled softly.

Then, in the gentlest, clearest voice.

She spoke.

And everything changed.

Svetlana cleared her throat softly, her fingers lightly tapping the chair as she smiled at everyone watching.

"I just wanted to say thank you all for being here," she began, her voice steady. "It means a lot—to both of us."

A few nods, a couple of smiles. The mood stayed light.

She glanced toward Damon for a brief second, then continued.

"The engagement... well, you all know about that now," she said with a small laugh. "But that's not the only thing we wanted to share with you today."

That made everyone pause.

Heads tilted.

Brows raised.

A quiet ripple of curiosity moved across the table.

Damon watched her calmly, letting her lead.

Svetlana took a short breath, and then

"We're having a baby."

The words came out clear, but soft.

And for a second, the room went completely still.

Then came the wave, gasps, stunned expressions, a few hands over mouths. And then, joy. Pure, overwhelming joy.

Ashley nearly teared up on the spot.

Joey laughed like he couldn't believe it.

Victor and Macey looked at each other, then at Damon, who simply smiled, almost shy under the attention.

Aoife's hands went straight to her face, eyes wide with emotion.

The moment hit like a spark.

And just like that, It turned into something they'd never forget.

And just like that, Damon became invisible again.

The moment the news sank in, chairs slid back, people stood up, and everyone made a beeline straight to Svetlana.

Victor hugged her first, proud and beaming.

Macey followed with a quiet tear in her eye.

Aoife pulled her in gently, holding her longer than anyone else.

Ashley squealed, clutching Svetlana's hands, asking a thousand questions all at once.

Even Joey and Ash got in line for their own congratulations.

Damon stayed seated, leaning an arm on the back of his chair, watching it all unfold.

He wasn't upset. Not even close.

He just smiled, his eyes fixed on her.

Svetlana looked genuinely happy. Glowing, even.

There was something in her expression as she laughed with everyone, like the weight of her past had loosened, like the future didn't seem so uncertain anymore.

And seeing both their parents, his mother and hers, smiling together, proud, not just of her but of what they were building together…

That made it all worth it.

He didn't need the spotlight.

He had her.

And that was more than enough.