MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat
Chapter 654 - 654: Commitment

Damon had time to think about what Svetlana had asked. He sat quietly on the edge of the bed, his mind turning over her words like slow waves.

He understood her. She wasn't pushing, she was hoping. She wanted to know if he was serious.

And he was. Damon didn't want her to think he was holding back. There was nothing he wanted more than to marry her, to show her that she was the center of his world.

He realized he hadn't thought about it much lately because he'd been busy, training, working, traveling.

But that wasn't an excuse. He wouldn't let her think for even a second that he didn't want this.

They had been engaged for a while now—two years, in fact. Longer than most, maybe, but it had always felt like there was time.

They got engaged before Ava was born, back when everything was new and exciting, and life had been rushing by so quickly.

Now Ava was a year and a half, her little feet chasing them around the big house, and life felt even fuller.

For Damon, it never felt like he was putting it off. But hearing Svetlana bring it up, asking him so directly, made him pause.

It made him think about how important this was. How much he wanted her to know that he was serious, that he was sure.

It was normal for couples to wait, of course. He knew that.

But he also knew that with everything else, fights, traveling, his career, sometimes the important things got pushed to the side.

And he didn't want her to feel like she was just another part of his busy life.

He thought about seeing her in a white dress. He pictured Ava in a little dress of her own, stumbling down the aisle with flowers clutched in her tiny hands.

He imagined holding Svetlana's hands in front of everyone, telling her in words he never said often enough how much she meant to him.

He stood there, smiling to himself, the soft lamplight of the bedroom brushing across his face. He didn't notice the door to the bathroom open. He didn't notice the quiet footsteps.

Svetlana appeared in the doorway, her nightdress falling around her in soft folds.

She saw his smile, and a small smile of her own curved her lips. "You seem happy," she said, her voice warm and teasing.

Damon turned to her, his eyes soft. He didn't say anything at first, he just reached for her, pulling her gently onto the bed with him. She laughed, her hair brushing against his face as she settled against him.

"I was thinking about what you said," he said quietly. His hands slid around her waist, holding her close.

She tilted her head, her smile curious. "About…?"

"About us," he said. His voice was low but steady. "About what's next."

He shifted, pulling her so that she was cradled on top of him, her hands resting lightly on his chest.

He looked up at her, his dark eyes clear and sure. "I want you to be my wife, Svetlana. I want you to be Mrs. Cross."

Her smile faltered for just a moment, her eyes bright. She blinked, then leaned down, pressing her forehead to his. "You're sure?" she asked, her voice quiet.

He nodded, his lips brushing against hers. "I've never been more sure of anything," he said. "You, me, and Ava. That's all I want."

She kissed him then, soft and slow at first. Then she laughed, a sound that filled the small room. "You're just saying that because you're in bed," she teased, but he could hear the warmth in her voice, the relief.

He shook his head, smiling up at her. "No," he said. "I'm saying it because it's true."

She kissed him again, her hands moving to cup his face. Her laughter turned to quiet sighs as he pulled her closer, his hands sliding up her back.

"You're going to make me cry," she whispered against his lips.

He kissed the corner of her mouth, then the soft skin of her jaw. "I'll make it up to you," he murmured. "Every day, for the rest of our lives."

She shifted so that she was looking down at him, her hair falling around them like a curtain. "And Ava?" she asked softly.

He grinned. "Ava's going to be the cutest flower girl anyone's ever seen," he said.

She laughed, the sound bright and real. "She'll probably throw the flowers at the guests," she said.

He shrugged, his smile wide. "Then it'll be perfect," he said.

She leaned down again, her lips brushing his as she whispered, "Okay, Mr. Cross. Let's get married."

He didn't answer, he just kissed her again, pulling her close, holding her like she was the only thing in the world. And for him, she was.

Damon moved up, his hand cupping the back of her head as he kissed her again, harder this time. "I fucking love you," he said against her lips, the words breathless and real.

Svetlana pulled back a little, her eyes wide as she laughed and swatted his shoulder. "Language!" she said, but her smile was too big to hide.

He grinned, shrugging as he brushed a lock of hair from her face. "I can't help it," he said. "I've been waiting to say that."

She shook her head, still laughing. "You're impossible," she said.

"Yeah," he agreed.

She rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. She leaned in again, kissing him softly, her lips warm and sweet. Her hands settled on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palms.

They stayed like that for a moment, quiet and close, the world outside the room forgotten. He let his hands roam down her back, feeling the soft curve of her waist. She sighed into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair.

He shifted, rolling her gently onto her back and hovering over her, his dark eyes warm. "I meant it," he said. "I want us to do this. I want everyone to know you're mine."

Svetlana's breath caught a little, her eyes soft. "And I want everyone to know you're mine," she said quietly.

He smiled, his hand tracing the line of her jaw. "Good," he said. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

She laughed again, the sound muffled as he kissed her neck, his lips tracing the soft skin there. She arched a little under him, her hands still in his hair. "Damon," she said, her voice breathless but teasing. "You're supposed to be gentle."

"I am being gentle," he said with a grin. "Mostly."

She tried to push him off, but he just laughed and kissed her again. She gave in, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him closer.

The moment was warm and soft, just them and the quiet of the room. For a while, nothing else mattered.

Then they heard the small voice, muffled and sleepy, from the doorway. "Mama?"

They both froze. Svetlana turned her head, her eyes going soft and wide as she looked toward the door.

"Mama," Ava said again, her voice small and confused.

Damon shifted, pulling back so Svetlana could sit up. She smoothed her nightdress and smiled, her cheeks a little pink.

"I'm coming, sweetheart," she called, her voice gentle.

Damon grinned, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. "We'll finish this later," he whispered.