With only a week left before his fight, Damon found himself away from the gym today.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…"
The soft singing filled the living room.
"Happy birthday dear Ava… happy birthday to you…"
Ava sat on the couch, small legs kicking slowly as she stared at the two of them with wide, blinking eyes.
The moment they finished, she clapped her hands together in a messy rhythm, squealing with a smile that only babies could wear—open-mouthed, cheeks puffed, eyes squinting with pure joy.
Damon and Svetlana were kneeling on the carpet in front of her, both smiling.
Ava babbled back, rocking slightly as she slapped her palm on the cushion beside her.
"Gah! Ma-ma! Daa-da!" she chirped, pointing randomly at the little crown they had gently placed on her head, which was now sliding sideways.
Svetlana leaned forward and adjusted the crown with a chuckle. "You're a queen now, huh?"
