MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Chapter 358 Surprise

joey opened the door to the house and closed it quietly behind him.

his face was filled with joy, which was very different from the stress he had been feeling for weeks.

he couldn't wait to tell ashley the good news. damon's offer seemed like it came out of nowhere, but it was a lifeline.

as he walked deeper into the living room, he saw her relaxing on the couch with her hands on her growing belly.

she looked up from the book she had been reading,

her tired eyes lit up when she saw him, and ashley looked at joey with a confused smile matching his energy. "what's got you all excited?"

joey grinned, sitting down beside her. "well... i'm sure you'll be happy to hear this. i'm not gonna drop out anymore."

her face lit up, relief washing over her as she leaned forward slightly. "joey, really? that's amazing! what changed?"

joey's smile widened. "thanks to damon. he offered me a job managing his media, promotions, and all that stuff. can you believe it?"

ashley's mouth dropped open, and she let out an excited laugh. "joey! that's incredible! i mean, you're perfect for it. damon really came through. i'm so happy for you!"

her joy was infectious, and joey felt a weight lift from his shoulders seeing her so relieved.

but as she started to celebrate, her expression suddenly shifted.

ashley groaned, holding her stomach with one hand. her other hand reached out to steady herself on the armrest. "oh... that doesn't feel right."

joey's face paled, his excitement turning to concern in an instant. "ashley? what's wrong? is it the baby?"

she waved him off lightly, trying to smile through the discomfort. "no, no, i think it's just a cramp. probably from all the excitement."

"are you sure?" joey asked, his voice tinged with fear. he moved closer and put his hand over hers protectively.

ashley nodded, taking a deep breath. "yeah, i'm fine. just... let's not celebrate too hard, okay?"

joey stayed close, watching her carefully. "alright, but if anything feels off, we're going to the doctor. no arguments."

ashley managed a small smile, her hand gently resting on his. "deal. now, tell me more about this job of yours."

.

.

her sobs were muffled against his chest, but damon could feel the gratitude and emotion pouring out of her.

"i don't even know what to say," she choked out, her voice breaking. "you've given me more than i could ever dream of, damon."

damon held her close, his arms steady and reassuring. "you've given me everything, mom. this is the least i could do."

he smiled warmly, taking a step back to let his mother soak in the moment.

"wanna check it out?" he asked, his voice light but tinged with excitement.

aoife nodded quickly, wiping away the last of her tears. "sure," she said, her voice soft with emotion.

the house wasn't enormous or over-the-top, but it had an undeniable charm.

it struck the perfect balance, modern and elegant without being excessive.

the clean lines, large windows, and neutral tones blended perfectly with the serene neighborhood.

most importantly, the area was quiet and safe, giving aoife the peace she truly deserved.

the steele family's home was just a short drive away, something damon had deliberately considered.

he wanted his mother to feel connected, to have friends nearby, while also enjoying her own space.

as they stepped inside, aoife paused again, taking in the fresh scent of a new home.

"it's beautiful, damon," she whispered, her awe growing with every step.

damon grinned, guiding her through the rooms. "let me show you around."

they wandered through the house together, from the cozy living room with its large windows overlooking a small garden, to the sleek, state-of-the-art kitchen with granite countertops and new appliances.

the bedrooms were spacious and filled with natural light, and the master suite had its own walk-in closet and bathroom, complete with a soaking tub.

each detail seemed to make aoife's eyes widen further, her hands occasionally brushing over the walls or furniture as if to confirm it was all real.

by the time they finished the tour, she stood in the middle of the living room, looking around as though she couldn't believe it.

damon leaned casually against the wall, watching her reaction with quiet satisfaction.

"it's yours, mom. everything here is yours," he said gently.

aoife turned to him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "it's perfect, damon. absolutely perfect."