MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat-Chapter 583: Home

Damon stepped quietly into the nursery.

Soft daylight filtered through the curtains, casting a muted glow across the room.

Tiny animals rotated slowly across a mobile hanging above the crib, spinning in a lazy circle. Ava's cries filled the space, not frantic, but restless.

He crossed the room without hurrying, his bare feet silent against the floor.

Ava kicked and squirmed in her crib, her little fists waving through the air. Her face was red, her eyes squeezed shut, tears streaking her cheeks.

Damon leaned over the crib, resting his arms on the edge.

"Hey, little troublemaker," he said softly.

His voice was low, calm, the same way he used to talk before fights to steady his own nerves. He reached down and scooped her up gently, cradling her against his chest.

Ava fussed, her tiny hands grabbing at the fabric of his hoodie.

Damon swayed slightly, rocking her back and forth. His hand rubbed slow circles against her back, feeling her small breaths against his skin.

"It's all right," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're good. Daddy's got you."

He carried her across the room, careful not to jostle her too much, and sat down in the rocking chair near the window.

Outside, the city moved in slow, quiet motion—cars in the distance, a few joggers on the sidewalks, the calm rhythm of a day unfolding.

Damon rocked the chair slowly, humming a low tune without even thinking about it—just noise to fill the air, to let her know she wasn't alone.

Ava's cries softened into little whimpers, then quieted completely.

She blinked up at him, eyes wide, her tiny fingers still clutching his hoodie.

Damon smiled.

He tapped her nose lightly with his finger.

"Not bad for a first defense, huh?"

Ava gurgled something that sounded vaguely approving.

He chuckled under his breath and kept rocking, letting the slow rhythm settle both of them.

Damon walked back into the living room, Ava tucked securely in his arms.

She had quieted completely now, clutching the front of his hoodie with her tiny hands, her head resting comfortably against his chest.

Svetlana looked up from the couch as he entered, her gaze softening when she saw them.

Damon stopped in front of her, smiling slightly.

"Since she's up," he said, adjusting Ava gently, "wanna go check out the house and confirm everything?"

Svetlana stood, brushing her palms lightly on her jeans. She glanced at the way Ava clung to Damon, her small fingers gripping tightly as if letting go wasn't even an option.

She chuckled under her breath.

"Guess I'm driving."

Damon shrugged, shifting Ava slightly higher on his chest with one arm.

"Works for me," he said.

Svetlana grabbed her keys from the counter and led the way out, holding the door open for them, moving through out the hotel.

Outside, the sunlight was warm, the air clean.

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Throughout the drive, Damon kept Ava company from the passenger seat.

She was still only a few months old, easy to manage, her head bobbing gently as she stared out the window or occasionally babbled softly. Damon kept a hand near her carrier, humming quietly, keeping her calm.

The ride was smooth, and before long they pulled up to the entrance of a gated community.

The neighborhood was immaculate. Wide streets. Freshly trimmed lawns. Rows of trees lining the sidewalks. Everything looked clean, organized, and silent in a way that spoke more of comfort than emptiness.

Svetlana slowed the car as they approached a massive iron gate. After a quick check-in with the security guard, the gate swung open.

They drove through slowly, passing a few impressive homes tucked neatly behind hedges and fences.

Svetlana's hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel as they pulled up to their destination.

A mansion. Modern, but not cold. Tall windows, warm stonework, a wide driveway paved with dark stone tiles. Enough space for several cars. The front garden was freshly planted, with a few tall trees already giving shade to the yard.

A black sedan was already parked outside.

"That must be the agent," Damon said.

Svetlana parked beside it, shutting off the engine. She looked over at Damon and Ava, her mouth curving into a small, proud smile.

"This is it," she said quietly.

Their new home.

Today was the day everything became official.

The signing.

They had both agreed long before today that Ava deserved a real home to grow up in.

Not that the hotel penthouse they had been living in wasn't nice, it was. It just never felt permanent.

They stepped out of the car, Damon unbuckling Ava and lifting her carefully into his arms.

Svetlana locked the doors behind them, pocketing the keys as they made their way up the clean stone path leading to the front door.

The house looked even bigger up close.

Wide entrance. Grand double doors.

Sunlight reflected off the polished glass panes built into the upper floors.

Damon looked around, taking in the quiet neighborhood.

As they approached the door, it opened from the inside before they could even knock.

A tall man in a clean navy suit stepped out, a bright, practiced smile on his face.

"Mr. And Mrs. Cross," he said, his voice rich and charismatic, extending his hand toward Damon first. "Welcome. I'm Mason Daughtry, your agent for today. Congratulations—this is a beautiful property."

Damon shifted Ava slightly and shook Mason's hand firmly.

"Thanks," Damon said.

Svetlana gave a polite smile and handshake of her own.

Mason's grin widened.

"Come on in," he said, stepping aside and motioning them inside with an open hand. "Let's show you what's about to become yours."

They crossed the threshold together, stepping into the grand, sunlit foyer.

It already felt like home.

They just had to sign the papers to make it official.

They looked around slowly, taking it all in.

The house was beautiful. Bright, open, and clean.

It wasn't as massive as the Steele house, Victor's estate still made this place look modest in comparison, but that was exactly the point.

This wasn't meant to be a fortress.

Mason led them through the paperwork without much delay. Damon signed where needed, flipping through the pages with Ava balanced carefully in one arm.

Everything felt surprisingly simple after the chaos of fight camps and press tours.

Once the last signature was set, Damon handed the papers over. He shook Mason's hand firmly.

"Congratulations again," Mason said, flashing another grin. "You're gonna love it here."

With that, he headed out, giving them their space. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

The door closed behind him, leaving the house silent, only the faint sound of Ava's soft breathing filling the air.

Damon stood in the middle of the foyer, holding Ava close.

Svetlana slipped into his free arm without saying a word, fitting against him perfectly.

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, smiling to himself as he glanced around.

"Now," Damon said, voice light, "we just need to get a shelf for my belts."

Svetlana laughed, reaching up and playfully smacking his chest with the back of her hand.

"Of course," she teased, shaking her head. "Priorities."

Damon chuckled and kissed the side of her head, the weight of the moment finally sinking in.

Home.