After the toast, everyone drank and chatted happily.
The three men sat at the table, eating barbecue, drinking beer, bragging, talking magic, exploring technology, and debating the future—only to circle back to Stephen's love life in the end.
Tony was the strategist, mapping out everything from Stephen's first words to the tiny details at the end. Lorien, meanwhile, chuckled as he corrected him. Different girls needed different approaches.
Christine was a science-minded girl. Romantic gestures might not work with her. What she valued was sincerity and genuine feelings. That meant Tony's playboy tactics were completely useless.
With advice from both Tony and Lorien, Stephen nodded with confidence, promising he'd go see her tomorrow.
...
Meanwhile, Pepper, Gwen, and Wanda were sipping milk tea while chatting about all sorts of things—baby feeding, clothes, education, daily life, entertainment, and work.
Even though Pepper had "retired" with Tony, the decision-making power of Stark Industries was still in her hands. She also directed the planning and development of its projects. So when she said she was retired, it was really just remote work in disguise.
When she finished speaking, it was Wanda and Gwen's turn.
Wanda's daily routine was simple. She woke up before noon, washed up, made lunch for Lorien, ate with him, then spent the whole afternoon practicing magic. Every day, without fail, for three to five hours.
Once Lorien was off work, it was relaxation time. They could chat, water plants, garden, or do anything else together. And then came the evenings…
Wanda skipped over that part. But in truth, evenings were the most decadent part of her day. Yes—decadent. Far too decadent.
And that was Wanda's day.
Next was Gwen. Her life was also simple.
In the morning, she went to school with the Spider-Alliance. She didn't come home at noon, nor in the afternoon. Even though classes ended early, Gwen would lead the Spider-Alliance on crime-fighting patrols until Lorien got off work, and only then return home.
Afterward, the Spider-Alliance was free to do as they liked.
Sometimes Gwen stayed to sleep on the third floor with the others. Sometimes she suddenly came upstairs to sleep. But whenever she did come back, she always ended up teasing Wanda.
Ahem. Of course, none of that was mentioned out loud. Gwen only said she went to sleep at night, leaving out what came after.
The truth was, Wanda sometimes refused to take it lying down and fought back. But as the saying goes—sorcerers never beat warriors in close combat.
So Wanda often found her wrists pinned behind her back, forced into all kinds of poses. At first, she was furious and embarrassed, but she adapted quickly.
In the end, all it took was Lorien's sharp clap, and Wanda knew exactly what to do.
Ahem.
...
And so the night went on with chatting and drinking until the beer was gone and the barbecue finished.
Only then did everyone bid farewell and prepare to head home.
"See you next time, Tony."
"Don't forget what you promised, Stephen. Make sure you do it!"
"Got it."
One by one, they began to leave.
But gatherings always left behind plenty of trash and clutter. Before anyone departed,
Wanda flicked her fingers and cast a spell.
Crimson energy surged out like a tide, sweeping through the yard.
In an instant, everything was spotless again. Food scraps, ash from the wood—all gone. Even the bowls gleamed like new.
Pepper's face lit up with joy as she saw it.
"This is absolutely amazing~! Wanda, thank you so much!"
Cooking was never the hard part. Cleaning up afterward always was.
"It's nothing." Wanda clapped her hands. "Isn't your husband learning magic too? Have him study cleaning spells. Then you won't ever have to handle cleaning or tidying yourselves again."
Pepper's eyes lit up. "So magic has everyday spells like that?"
"Of course."
"Then can I learn spells like these?"
Teach a man to fish, and he'll feed himself for a lifetime.
Clearly, Pepper wanted to learn on her own—much more convenient that way.
"That depends on your talent."
Wanda thought for a moment, then pulled a thick spellbook from the void and handed it to her.
"This was my foundation when I started learning magic. You can study it yourself and discuss it with your husband. When you've mastered it, return it. If you can't, return it anyway—it's fine either way.
Of course, I'd prefer you return it after mastering it."
Pepper stared at the book in front of her. She hesitated but still accepted it, honored and humbled.
It really was Wanda's very first magic primer—the one she had used when beginning her training. It was full of her own notes and insights, enough to save Pepper countless detours.
And Pepper knew just how invaluable that was. She said nothing more, just clutched the book tightly and looked at Wanda.
"I'll study it carefully. I hope one day, my future daughter can be as powerful a woman as you."
At those words, Wanda paused, then shook her head.
"Power is fine. But alongside power, there must be love. Otherwise, human nature won't be able to suppress the desires power brings.
As a mother, you must raise your child to be human first. Only then should she become strong."
Pepper nodded. She understood.
Wanda was right. With love, one is human—and only then can they be happy. Without it, if someone is driven only by power, that's a villain's path, and villains never end happily.
Don't ask why. Ask the writers.
Wanda lent Pepper her foundational magic book. After that, everyone said their goodbyes and headed home.
...
Once home, Lorien went straight to the bathroom to shower. Gwen glanced at Wanda curiously.
"Wanda, didn't you say you were keeping that book for your own child?"
Wanda nodded. That had been her plan. The book was meant for her future child to learn magic. But the problem was…
"Kids are still far off." Wanda spread her hands helplessly. "Pepper won't take long to learn magic. The book will come back soon enough. Think of it as a gift for her child in advance."
Gwen thought it over. "That makes sense."
No matter where you are in the world, children are always greeted with gifts and blessings at birth. Wanda was just giving hers a little early.
Besides… if Pepper's daughter really did learn magic, Wanda would basically be her half-mentor. No—she'd even be Pepper's mentor.
The two continued chatting. But then Gwen's eyes shifted, and she suddenly said,
"I'm going to the bathroom, Wanda."
"Mm."
Gwen left. But she never came back.
At first, Wanda didn't notice. Then it hit her.
"That Gwen…"
Lorien was in the bathroom. Gwen wasn't going to relieve herself. She was going to relieve him!
Realizing she'd been tricked, Wanda stomped angrily to the bathroom. She threw open the door—
And there, against the frosted glass, was a figure pressed close. The glass was opaque, polarized, blurry both ways. Impossible to see clearly inside or out.
But skin against the surface left a clear outline. And the outline on the glass now was unmistakably Gwen's.
"You little brat!"
...
The next day.
Sunlight spilled across the curtains, waking Lorien. He rose and went to the bathroom to wash up. Only afterward did he realize—it was Saturday.
Damn. Got up for nothing.
He brushed his teeth and washed his face. The Ballerina Twins set his cup, toothbrush, and towel in order.
Then he returned to the bedroom, flopped face-first onto the bed, and lay there. The two women were still fast asleep.
Last night's quarrel had been intense. The two, still fuming, had fought inside the steam-filled bathroom. Two people was fine. Three made it far too cramped.
So with a wave of his hand, Lorien shifted the battlefield. The war raged until late into the night.
...
Meanwhile, outside the gates of New York's finest hospital.
A handsome man in a suit and tie, hair neatly combed, steadied himself for a moment. Finally, he gathered the courage to step inside.
Stephen walked in and headed toward the surgical building.
Looking at the familiar scenery, a wave of emotion rose in him.
This had been his workplace before his hands were injured, and also where his story with Christine began.
Back then, he was already a rising star—a genius surgeon with a name. Christine had been his surgical intern.
They'd worked in the same department. That's how they met.
And the "old place" Christine mentioned in her message—that had been one of their little secrets.
So much time had passed. Was Christine doing well? Was she still a resident? Had she gotten her own office yet?
She'd once said she wanted to be a doctor with her own private office.
Time had flown. Stephen couldn't help but sigh at how fast it had gone.
He arrived at the door of the surgical department. Took a deep breath. And stepped inside.
A head nurse hurried past, glanced up at him, and kept walking. But the next moment, she stopped, realization flashing across her face.
"Dr. Strange?!"
At the familiar title, Stephen gave a faint shake of his head.
"I'm no longer a doctor."