MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

After the last push, the baby's cry filled the room. It was loud and steady.

The doctors moved quickly. One of them caught the baby, checked, and passed it off to the nurses.

They began wiping down and wrapping the baby in a soft white blanket. The cry didn't stop.

The face was red, its fists clenched tight. kicking lightly as the little one squirmed, already full of energy.

Damon didn't speak. His eyes were locked on the baby. His chest rose and fell with each breath. He just couldn't take his eyes off the source of the cries.

"It's a girl," the doctor said, looking at both of them.

Svetlana was breathing hard. Her head leaned back on the pillow. Her hair was stuck to her face and neck from the sweat.

She didn't look at the baby right away. Her body was still coming down from everything.

Her chest kept rising and falling, her lips slightly parted.

The nurses adjusted her bed, wiped her forehead, and moved the blanket up to cover her better. She blinked slowly, trying to stay awake.

Damon stepped forward. The nurse holding the baby tilted her arms slightly, giving him a better look.

He stared down. The baby was small, wrapped tight, crying nonstop. Her cheeks were full, and her skin still looked flushed.

Damon reached out and placed a hand gently on her back. She didn't stop crying, but she didn't move away either.

He didn't say anything.

The room was busy, but it didn't distract him. A nurse on the side called out numbers. The doctor was checking Svetlana's vitals. Someone rolled in a scale. But Damon kept his eyes on his daughter.

The nurse waited, then asked if he wanted to hold her. Damon nodded once.

She placed the baby carefully in his arms, guiding him as needed. He held her against his chest, one hand behind her head, the other across her back.

She felt warm and soft, and even though she kept crying, her breathing was steady.

He looked down at her face. She looked nothing like him right now. All he saw was a small, crying child that didn't know the world yet. But he already felt protective.

He turned toward Svetlana, who had opened her eyes again. She looked at him, then at the baby in his arms. A smile pulled at her lips. She looked exhausted, but proud.

Damon walked toward her side and leaned in just enough so she could see the baby closer. She didn't speak. She just looked.

The nurse asked if they could take the baby for weighing. Damon hesitated, then nodded. He handed her off carefully and turned back to Svetlana.

"You alright?" he asked.

She gave a weak nod.

He sat on the edge of the bed, just enough to rest for a second. His back was straight, his hands still steady.

The adrenaline was still in his system, but he was calm. The baby's crying had quieted in the background as the nurses moved around with her.

Damon didn't say anything else. He looked at the woman in front of him, and then toward the newborn again.

Their daughter was born.

Damon felt a hand on his cheek. He looked down and saw Svetlana's fingers resting there gently.

She was looking at him, her eyes tired but warm. Only then did he notice the wetness on his own face. He hadn't realized he'd been crying.

He leaned forward and kissed her softly. "You did amazing," he said, keeping his voice low.

Svetlana gave a shaky breath that turned into a half-laugh. She wiped her own eyes with the back of her wrist, then looked over as the nurse returned with the baby.

The nurse carefully passed the small bundle into Svetlana's arms. She adjusted the blanket and guided her gently, making sure she had the right hold.

Svetlana cradled the baby close to her chest, her arms wrapping protectively around the tiny frame.

Her lips trembled as she looked down at the newborn. She blinked hard and swallowed, trying not to cry again. Damon watched quietly, letting her have the moment.

Outside the room, the door opened.

A nurse poked her head in and gave a small nod to the staff. "They can come in now."

She stepped back and opened the door wider.

Aoife, Macey, Joey, Ashley, and Victor all stood waiting in the hallway. The moment they got the signal, they stepped inside, slowly and quietly. Their eyes went straight to the bed.

Ashley gasped quietly.

Aoife covered her mouth.

No one spoke right away.

They just looked at the scene, Svetlana on the bed, holding the baby close to her chest, Damon sitting beside her, his hand resting protectively on the blanket over them both.

And just like that, the room filled with quiet emotion.

Just quiet awe.

They came forward slowly, taking turns. Each one leaned in to greet Svetlana, then gently shifted to see the baby in her arms.

Macey helped adjust her pillow. Ashley ran her fingers over the baby's soft cheek.

Aoife and Victor stood back at first, eyes locked on the newborn, both moved in a way they hadn't expected.

Victor stepped closer. His hands were steady, but his eyes were wet.

He looked down at his granddaughter and exhaled quietly. For a man who rarely showed much emotion, this was different.

This was real. He gave a nod to Svetlana, then looked at Damon and placed a hand on his shoulder before backing up to let the others through.

Ashley wiped at her face. She didn't try to hide it. She smiled through her tears, then laughed a little when the baby moved.

Macey leaned over next, brushing Svetlana's hair back behind her ear.

She whispered something that made Svetlana smile, then gently kissed the baby's forehead.

Aoife came last, her hands hesitant but her face soft. She stood by Damon, and he wrapped an arm around her without saying anything.

She rested her head briefly against his shoulder.

That one gesture said enough.

Today wasn't just about a birth. It was about two families coming together. Not just through an engagement. Not just through affection.

But through a life, a child that now tied them all together in a way nothing else could.