MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat-Chapter 630: Smoke and Laughter

Soon enough, everyone had arrived.

Victor leaned back in his chair, a can of beer in hand, watching the grill smoke curl into the afternoon air.

Joey sat beside him with his own drink, talking between sips.

Ash and Ty were nearby, relaxed and smiling, part of the easy rhythm that settled over the group.

Damon nursed a beer as well, but it was light and slow. No one here planned to drink too much.

It wasn't that kind of gathering. Just something calm. Something to mark a moment.

Music played quietly from a speaker on the patio. Nothing loud, just enough to sit under the conversation and laughter.

The men stayed near the grill, seated in the shade by the pool. The sun was starting to dip low, casting a golden glow over the backyard.

Ava and Theo ran across the thick green grass in bursts of joy, their small legs unsteady but fast, weaving through each other like it was their own world.

Damon kept his eyes on them as he flipped a skewer. "Those two are gonna knock each other over."

"They already have," Joey said, sipping his drink. "Theo thinks your backyard is a racetrack."

Victor gave a small smile. "Let them run. That's what yards like this are for."

Damon finally stepped back from the grill, wiping his hands on a towel as he looked over the finished meat.

The aroma was rich, smoky, and just the right amount of charred. He turned toward the group, raising an eyebrow.

"Well?" he asked. "You guys trusting me or what?"

Joey leaned back with a smirk. "You're the cook now, man. I'm not questioning the champ."

Ash raised his drink in mock salute. "Feed me, oh grill master."

Victor stood with a quiet chuckle. "Well, I don't want to eat charcoal," he said, stepping over to inspect the meat himself.

He leaned in, turning a few skewers and cuts, then gave a firm nod. "Yeah. It's good. You're a natural at this."

Damon grinned, tossing the towel over his shoulder. "Told you. Champ in the cage, champ by the fire."

Joey snorted. "Alright, alright, don't go adding it to your list of titles."

Victor grabbed a plate and started stacking pieces of meat. "Let's eat before the kids come running and steal all the good pieces."

Ty walked alongside Damon, the grill still crackling softly behind them.

The sun had dipped lower, casting golden streaks across the yard.

Just ahead, Ava and Theo waddled in uneven strides next to Joey, babbling and pointing at nothing in particular, their voices overlapping in cheerful noise.

Ty glanced at Damon with a raised brow. "So… when are you starting your bulk? I've got a few tips if you don't wanna end up just eating peanut butter and shakes."

Damon chuckled. "I don't know, man. I ain't trying to turn into you—looking like a full fridge with legs."

Ty smirked. "Better a fridge than a coat hanger."

"Touché," Damon said, then gave a nod. "But yeah, I'll take the tips. I wanna go up smart. Fast, but not sloppy. Gotta keep the speed."

Ty crossed his arms. "Then you'll need more than just calories. You'll need timing. Nutrient timing, sleep, cardio cycling… I'll send you a breakdown."

Damon gave a mock sigh. "Knew asking you meant homework."

Ty grinned. "Only if you wanna keep that belt and breathe at 205."

"Speaking of that," Damon said, glancing at Ty. "How's the Olympics situation coming along?"

Ty's grin widened. "Was gonna tell you later tonight, but yeah... it's happening. I made it through the qualifiers."

Damon raised his brows. "Seriously?"

Ty nodded. "One more national camp next month. After that, they'll finalize the team. I'm top of the bracket right now, so unless I screw up hard, I'll be representing the U.S."

Damon slapped his shoulder. "That's crazy, man. Proud of you."

Ty shrugged, but his grin didn't fade. "Still a long road, but it's looking real. Freestyle 97kg—if I make it, it'll be the biggest stage I've hit."

Damon looked over at the kids playing and then back at Ty. "That's wild, bro. From training for MMA to being Olympic level."

"Life's funny like that," Ty said. "Now let's just hope I don't get tech-falled by some kid from Dagestan."

Damon laughed. "Hey, if he does, I'll avenge you in the cage."

They stepped through the doorway and into the living room, the low hum of conversation greeting them.

Damon paused at the entrance, eyes landing on the couch where his daughter had clearly claimed her throne.

Ava sat perched comfortably on Macey's lap, her tiny hands resting on the older woman's arm while Macey gently brushed back her soft hair with a warm, patient rhythm.

The little girl looked completely at ease, occasionally babbling at something no one else could understand.

Just across from them, Theo had sprawled himself across Aoife's lap, Damon's mother.

She sat with her usual straight-backed poise, one hand rubbing slow circles on Theo's back as he nattered on about something he must've seen in the backyard.

Aoife listened with the same quiet focus she always gave him when he was a kid, never interrupting, always present.

Damon stood quietly for a moment, watching the scene.

Svetlana noticed him first. She smiled from where she sat beside her mother, legs tucked beneath her, holding a glass of juice in one hand.

Ashley sat near the edge of the couch, phone in hand, likely scrolling through photos or recording moments.

Soon enough, everyone began preparing for the little party, moving with a calm but cheerful energy as plates were set and the cake was brought in from the kitchen.

Decorations were simple but thoughtful, soft pastel colors, animal-themed napkins, and a banner that read Happy 1st Birthday, Ava! stretched above the living room archway.

They handed out small party hats, carefully placing one on Ava's head.

She didn't seem too thrilled about it at first, her fingers immediately reaching up to tug at the elastic band under her chin, but Macey gently distracted her with a soft toy.

Theo, of course, was already running around with his hat slightly tilted, completely unfazed and excited about everything.

Though it was Ava's celebration, they had made sure Theo felt just as included. A second hat went on his head, and he was already eyeing the cupcakes lined up on the table.

Ashley chuckled as she adjusted Theo's collar. "You'd think it was his birthday the way he's acting."

Joey shrugged with a grin. "Let the kid have his moment too. He's been talking about cake for the past hour."

Victor stood near the kitchen door with a plate in hand, beer still in his other, nodding at the quiet chaos.

Damon leaned down beside Ava, gently fixing her hat while she chewed on her fingers.

He smiled at her, then at the room. This was the kind of noise he loved, family noise.