MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

The day passed, and soon enough, the next one came. It felt slower, heavier, as if the world had purposefully hit pause.

Jake had been having surgery for hours. Damon sat in the waiting area and looked at the time from time to time.

Ashley was rocking her baby boy on her lap while Svetlana talked to her quietly.

Joey, on the other hand, couldn't sit still and walked back and forth. His nerves were getting worse with each minute that went by.

While the surgery wasn't life-threatening, it carried immense weight.

This was about Jake's future, whether or not he'd walk again, whether his life could return to some semblance of normal.

Everyone present understood the gravity of the situation, and their collective silence spoke volumes.
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Joey finally stopped pacing, running a hand through his hair. "Man, this waiting is killing me."

Damon leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "He's in good hands, Joey. The doctors here are solid."

Joey nodded but didn't seem convinced. "Yeah, I know. Just... it's hard not to think about all the 'what ifs,' you know?"

Ashley reached over, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "He's strong, Joey. Just like you. He'll get through this."

Joey gave her a small smile before glancing at his son, who gurgled happily in her arms. The sight seemed to ease his nerves, if only a little.

Damon glanced at Svetlana, who gave him a reassuring nod.

The hours dragged on, punctuated by occasional updates from nurses but nothing definitive.

Each time someone in scrubs walked into the room, all heads turned, only to slump back down when they weren't bringing news.

Seeing the boring wait stretch on, Damon decided to strike up a conversation.

He leaned back in his chair, glancing at Ashley. "Ashley, I haven't seen Ash in a while. He still doing good?"

Ashley smiled, bouncing Theo lightly in her lap. "Oh, very much. Our parents finally started letting him handle parts of the family business. He seems to enjoy it, so I think he's happy."

Damon nodded thoughtfully. He hadn't been keeping in touch with Ash or their other friend Tye as much as he'd like.

Life had a way of pulling people apart as they got older, responsibilities piling up and priorities shifting.

It wasn't necessarily sad, it was just how things were. They were adults now, carving out their own paths.

"That's pretty cool," Damon said. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "What about you? When are you getting back in the ring?"

Before Ashley could answer, Svetlana nudged Damon's arm subtly, as if warning him that the question might hit a sensitive spot.

But Ashley laughed, her tone light. Even Joey smirked at the question.

"I loved it, you know?" Ashley said after a moment. "And as much as I miss it, I've been thinking… it's just such a huge commitment. Training, the camps, the travel, it's a lot. And right now," she glanced down at Theo, her expression softening, "he's my priority. Fighting takes so much out of you, not just physically but mentally. I just don't think it's where my head is anymore. For now, I'm focused on being here for him."

Damon nodded, understanding her point. Deep down, he could see where she was coming from.

Parenthood wasn't just another stage in life, it was a whole new mindset.

And as much as he admired fighters who balanced their careers with parenting, he could imagine how exhausting it must be.

He also couldn't help but think practically about her career.

While Ashley had been a solid fighter, she'd never quite broken through as a top star or a household name.

Coming back would take a lot of work and a different kind of drive, especially to make a real impact.

It wasn't impossible, but it would require sacrifices she might not be willing to make.

And honestly? Damon was happy for her.

He could see the contentment in her eyes, the kind of peace that came from knowing where you were supposed to be. Joey, too, seemed settled and proud, his focus clearly on their family.

Besides, Damon thought, the money Joey was earning managing his media and promotions was no joke.

It was enough that, if they planned carefully, they could build something lasting, maybe even create generational wealth for Theo and beyond.

In a way, Damon felt proud that he could contribute to that, helping his friends secure a future for their family.

"That makes sense," Damon said finally. "It's a different kind of fight, but it sounds like you've already got your priorities in the right place."

Ashley smiled, her gratitude clear in her expression. "Thanks, Damon. That means a lot."

The conversation tapered off, the room falling back into its quiet rhythm.

Damon leaned back in his chair again, glancing at Svetlana, who gave him a small, approving nod.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a doctor walked into the waiting room.

His expression was calm but professional, the kind that didn't give anything away until he spoke.

"Family of Jake?" he called out.

Joey was on his feet instantly, with Damon, Svetlana, and Ashley right behind him.

Damon took a deep breath. This was a big moment to see if his elixir worked.

If it didn't, then it was bad, but it was fine. At least he tried.

If it did work, that was amazing. Incredible, even.

But what he feared the most… what if the elixir interfered with the surgery? What if it made things worse?

Damon hadn't thought about this before. Not fully, anyway.

What if the elixir backfired, nullifying the 50% chance Jake had of walking again? What if his attempt to help caused more harm?

The weight of that thought hit him hard, his jaw tightening. His mind raced, but he kept his face neutral, not wanting to draw attention.

Joey, who was completely oblivious to Damon's internal panic, spoke up, his voice trembling slightly. "Doctor, how did it go?"

The doctor, as always, gave nothing away. No smile, no frown, just a professional blankness that made the wait unbearable.