Everyone watching takes that as their cue to come over and congratulate us. “Oh, sweetheart. I am so happy for you. A new home, an engagement, and a baby on the way! This is quite the Christmas for you. Congratulations,” my mom says as she hugs me.
Everybody takes turns hugging us and when Kayla gets over to me, we hug extra hard. “Please tell me you’ve changed your mind,” I say quietly, so only she can hear.
She pulls away, but stays looking into my eyes. I already know the answer before she gives it. “No, Liz. I’m still leaving tomorrow, but I’ll visit often, and I’ll definitely be back before the baby’s here. I just need to go. Please understand that.”
“Okay, but please know I’m only a phone call and a plane ride away. Does Cooper know you’re quitting?”
“Yes, I told him yesterday. He said he doesn’t need two weeks’ notice, so I’m flying out tomorrow night.”
We hug again and then I watch Kayla slip out the door. I look over at Bentley and see him watching her leave as well. He’s showing no emotions, but I know he cares. And if I’m honest, I hate him a little bit right now because I believe whatever is going on with them is the reason she’s leaving me.
Cooper announces there is one more present and asks for everybody to join us in the backyard. When we walk out the backdoors, Bella goes running straight to the swing set. I don’t even think you can call it that, though. The word swing set doesn’t even begin to do this thing justice. It’s an enormous pink and purple princess castle with a rock wall, swings, a slide, and of course attached to the end is the cutest little picnic table and benches.
“Look Mommy, Daddy. Santa brought me my swing set just like I asked! He must have known this was going to be our new house.”
Cooper holds me in his arms and nuzzles his face into my hair. We just stand like this for a while, just letting it all soak in. It may have taken a little longer to get here, but I wouldn’t trade our journey for anything, because every step we took led us to this moment right here, right now, with our friends and family. And these people mean everything to me.
Epilogue
Cooper
Two Months Later
I’m standing in the center of the octagon at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in my hometown city of Las Vegas. My eye is swollen so it’s hard to see, and I’m pretty sure I have at least two fractured ribs, but it’s all worth it because at this very moment the referee has my hand in the air, announcing me the new UFC Champion. They hand me my belt and it feels damn good to know I’ve finally made it to where I wanted to be.
The crowd is going crazy, chanting my name. I’ve worked my entire life for this moment, but more importantly, it signifies the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one.
“Tell us, Rage, now that you’re the new UFC Middleweight Champion, what’s next?”
I knew this question was coming. There have been rumors flying and tons of speculation as to what I’m going to do next. People want to know if I’m going to fight to defend the title, or if I’m going to retire as the champion. The UFC has offered me a healthy contract to stay on board and nobody knows what my decision is except my fiancée.
Looking out at the crowd, I see my entire world sitting in the first row closest to the octagon. Liz wasn’t thrilled about letting Bella come to the fight, but our daughter is less like a princess and more like a warrior than Liz cares to admit. She loves watching these fights, and I would bet money that one day she becomes the UFC Champion in the Women’s Bantamweight Division. Liz is looking at me through shiny eyes, clapping, and Bella is screaming at the top of her lungs for me.
I crook my fingers for them to come up and join me. When they get up to me, Liz gives me a soft kiss on my lips, afraid to hurt me as Bella grabs the microphone.
“My daddy is retiring,” she says clearly, so everybody can hear. The crowd boos and she gets mad. “That’s not nice. My mommy is having a baby and my daddy is going to work at the gym and train me to be a UFC Champion just like him.” And… the crowd goes nuts.
I throw my head back in laughter at my crazy daughter and then take the microphone from her. “My little girl is correct. I’m honored to be the new UFC Champion. I want to thank everybody who has supported me over the last fifteen years…” I go on to name my friends and family, my trainer, the gym, the UFC, and when I’m finally done, I walk hand in hand with my fiancée and daughter out of the octagon for the last time.