A Stay-at-home Dad’s Restaurant In An Alternate World Chapter 2489

Chapter 2489: We Are Married (The End)

Mag stood behind Harrison and chuckled, saying, "You’ve definitely put on weight! What happened to your plan of slimming down before the wedding?"

Harrison, who was busy snacking on a biscuit, froze in place before spinning around alongside Georgina. He stared at Mag with wide-eyed shock. "Boss Mag, you’ve finally returned! I’ve missed you so much!"

Mag shifted quickly to the side, dodging Harrison's attempt at a bear hug. Despite being away for only a few days, it was clear the man had become even more rotund.

Harrison regained his composure after missing the hug. He set his biscuit down with a look of sheepishness, but quickly defended himself. "You can’t really put the blame on me. Georgina is pregnant, and her appetite has become quite large. I can’t exactly let her eat all by herself, can I?"

"Pregnant?" Mag’s gaze drifted toward Georgina’s stomach, which showed a slight protrusion.

!!

Georgina turned crimson and ducked behind Harrison, covering her face shyly. "I’m only two months along. Don't get the wrong idea. This part is just fat."

"Well, at the very least, he looks like he's the one ready to give birth." Mag reached out and tapped Harrison’s belly. Boing, boing. The elasticity made Mag want to joke, "Boss, can you guarantee this melon is sweet?"

Georgina let out a joyful laugh. Her face had filled out, and the lingering shadow of her past anorexia was gone. She finally possessed the innocent radiance of a young woman.

Harrison watched her with a doting, indulgent smile.

Mag was usually the one showing off his affection, so he found it a bit awkward to be on the receiving end of someone else's public display of love. He pulled out his keys, intending to enter the restaurant.

"Boss Mag, are you opening for business today?" Harrison hurried over with an expectant look.

"Not today. Come back tomorrow morning, and I’ll make sure you get those steaming hot soup dumplings," Mag replied with a shake of his head and a smile.

Though Harrison felt a pang of disappointment, he nodded quickly. "Alright, we’ll see you tomorrow then."

Harrison carefully assisted Georgina into their carriage. She waved at Mag, calling out, "Goodbye, Boss Mag."

"Goodbye," Mag replied with a nod.

"Hmm? I think I heard Father's voice!"

From the second-floor window of the neighboring magic potion shop, a young girl with pigtails sticking upward poked her head out. She leaned half her body over the ledge, looking toward the restaurant. Amy’s eyes sparkled instantly. She waved frantically, shouting with joy, "Father! Father!"

In her excitement, she lost her balance and began to tumble out of the window.

"Ahh… Oh."

Before a scream could even escape her, Amy was caught in a pair of strong, warm arms.

"You shouldn't lean out of windows like that. You'll fall," Mag said, hugging Amy and giving her chubby cheek a playful pinch.

"It’s okay. I can fly," Amy replied, fluttering her hands like a little bee.

How can my daughter be this adorable? Mag couldn't suppress his fatherly grin; his smile was so wide it nearly reached his ears.

"Is your lesson over?" Mag glanced toward the potion shop. Today should have been her magic class with Urien.

"There are still fifteen minutes left." Amy checked her genius electronic watch and shook her head in a dramatic display of despair. She pouted, rubbing her stomach sadly. "But Little Amy is so hungry. I want to eat the grilled meat Father makes. The kind with lots of chilies."

I’ll cook it for her this instant!

Mag fought to keep his emotions in check as he asked, "Didn't Big Sister Xixi prepare lunch for you?"

"She did. She made that super healthy, green traditional Dryad food. Boiled leaves." Amy held up three fingers, saying solemnly, "I’ve eaten it three times now, and I just can't take any more..."

Mag couldn't help but laugh. He was well aware of Xixi’s cooking. She was fine with normal meals, but her traditional Dryad recipes were nothing short of dark cuisine.

The poor child looked so miserable that her pout was deep enough to hang a shopping bag on.

"Then… we’ll make an exception today. Father is going to help you skip class. Let’s go inside and make something delicious." Mag flicked Amy’s nose and carried her toward the restaurant.

Black Coal poked his head from his cage and screeched, "Amy’s playing truant! Amy’s playing truant!"

"Stupid crow. I might just burn your feathers off again!" Amy turned to glare at the bird, a flame flickering on her fingertip.

"No! My feathers just grew back! I need them for winter!" Black Coal huddled in the corner, trembling as he surrendered to Amy’s intimidation.

"Coward," Green Pea chirped with pure disdain.

As if sparked by Green Pea’s voice, a round, orange blur darted out of the potion shop. It circled Mag’s legs frantically before rubbing its face against his calves in a fawning manner.

Amy looked down at Ugly Duckling and gave a stern command. "Ugly Duckling, you’re having dinner at Big Sister Xixi’s house today. That Dryad banquet is perfect for you. Don't come home until you've finished."

"Are you serious?" Ugly Duckling flopped onto the ground, its wide eyes staring at Amy in utter betrayal.

Xixi stepped to the door holding a potion vial and looked at Mag in surprise. "Boss Mag, you’ve returned?"

"Yes, I just arrived. I missed the kids. Can Little Amy be dismissed fifteen minutes early today?" Mag asked with a smile.

Little Amy watched Xixi with a mix of anxiety and hope.

"That’s fine. We’ve already covered today's topics anyway. Amy just needs to practice on her own at home," Xixi agreed, nodding with a smile.

"Big Sister Xixi, I love you!" Amy cheered, her face lighting up instantly.

"Get some rest. It looks like another little one will be joining us soon." Mag glanced at Xixi’s prominent baby bump. Dryad pregnancies lasted six months, so the birth was likely near.

Amy didn't forget to call back to Xixi, "Big Sister Xixi, take Ugly Duckling with you. Don't let it come home until it finishes its diet dinner."

"Sure," Xixi laughed, picking up the stunned cat and bringing it back inside. She locked the door as Ugly Duckling watched through the glass in despair.

"Hmph. That’s what it gets for stealing my snacks every day," Amy huffed, feeling satisfied with her revenge.

Mag pushed open the restaurant doors. Despite being closed for six days, the interior was spotless, though it felt unusually quiet.

Mag set Amy down and surveyed the room. "Where is Annie?"

"Big Sister Annie is at school. She’s an arts teacher at Hope School now and should be back soon." Amy scurried upstairs on her short legs and brought down a pair of slippers for Mag. "Here, Father. Change into these so you're comfortable."

A wave of warmth filled Mag's chest. She truly was a thoughtful daughter.

Heading toward the kitchen, Mag asked, "Does Little Amy want grilled mutton, beef, or maybe pork belly?"

"I want all of them!" Amy hurried to keep pace with him. "I want to eat everything."

Mag looked at her expectant face and nodded. "Alright. I'll grill them all for you."

The refrigerator was well-stocked with ingredients provided by the system. After donning his apron, he began preparing and marinating the meats.

Once the prep was done, Mag went upstairs to shower and change into clean, casual clothes before returning to the kitchen.

The meat was ready, and the stove was hot.

Since it wasn't even four o'clock and it was just the two of them, Mag set a small stove directly on the dining table so they could eat as he grilled.

The thinly sliced pork belly sizzled the moment it hit the heat. As the fat turned translucent, Mag brushed on a layer of sauce and dusted it with cumin and Sichuan Pepper powder before serving it.

Amy had her lettuce ready. She wrapped the pork belly, pulled out the skewer, and popped the bundle into her mouth, chewing happily.

The crisp, cool lettuce combined with the tender meat was a perfect, non-greasy balance. She thoroughly enjoyed the feast.

Mag, however, skipped the lettuce. He preferred the rich sensation of the hot pork belly fat melting in his mouth—fatty but not overwhelming. This was the mark of his grilling expertise.

Naturally, children preferred lighter flavors.

After several skewers of pork, the beef cubes were finished. He applied three layers of chili sauce and a coating of chili powder, meeting Amy's demand for spice.

Amy held the skewer like a little squirrel, blowing on it gently before taking a large bite. Her cheeks puffed out as she chewed with a look of bliss.

"Father, you should eat too." Amy offered her skewer to him.

"I'm not hungry yet. You take your time. There's plenty, and it's all for you." Mag watched her with affection. He realized that with everything that had happened lately, he had been exhausted and perhaps hadn't spent enough quality time with her.

Now that he had ascended to the level of a god, he intended to focus more on his children once the final loose ends were tied up.

The father and daughter continued their meal in harmony, one grilling and the other eating.

Suddenly, the restaurant door swung open.

Irina stood there, holding a takeout roast goose. She stared at the pair, the pile of empty skewers, and the sizzling meat. Her eyebrows arched like sharp blades as she demanded, "Are you two... eating grilled meat without me?"

"Oh, Wifey. Let me explain," Mag said, immediately dropping his skewers.

Before he could get a word out, Irina shut the door and set aside the roast goose. She sat down, took a beef kebab from Amy, and looked at Mag. "Add fifty more beef, fifty more mutton, and... is that pork belly? Make it a hundred of those."

"Wait..."

Mag tried to protest, but ended up back in the kitchen preparing the order.

As he worked, he asked Irina, "Where is Yayi?"

"At the ice cream shop. Firis and the others are watching her." Irina finished several kebabs in quick succession and washed them down with an iced beer. She then paused to look at Mag closely.

Her eyes widened in shock, and her voice trembled slightly. "You... you've become a god?!"

"Yes. I found some opportunities while I was away," Mag admitted with a smile, keeping the details vague for Amy’s sake.

Tears welled in Irina's eyes, but she quickly composed herself. She took a kebab from Mag's hand and held it to his lips. "You eat some, too."

Amy added between bites, "Mm-hmm. You need strength to keep grilling."

The meal lasted over an hour until the mother and daughter were finally full.

Mag sent Amy to the ice cream parlor to let the others know he was back and to invite them over for dinner.

As Amy was leaving, Annie arrived with her easel. She froze at the sight of Mag, her eyes shimmering with excitement.

"Teacher Annie is home. I saved some for you. Go wash up and eat," Mag said warmly.

Annie patted Amy’s head, leaned her easel against the wall, and greeted Irina with sign language before heading to the kitchen.

When she returned, she didn't eat immediately. She signed to Mag, "When did you get back?"

"Just a little while ago. Amy was starving for grilled meat, so we started early. The others will be here for dinner soon."

Annie didn't press for details. She simply sat with a bright, pure smile, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Mag work.

Thinking about teaching, Mag realized he'd missed a week of classes. He needed to return on Monday so the students wouldn't lose their touch.

Shortly after, the rest of the women arrived together.

Kiddo burst through the door first, her steps wobbly as she cried out, "Father... Father..."

Seeing Mag, she rushed over and clung to his leg like a koala. Mag laughed and scooped her up into his arms.

The toddler was soft and smelled sweet.

Muack.

Kiddo planted a large kiss on his cheek. She held his face in her tiny hands, examining him carefully before nodding. "It really is Father."

"Who else would it be?" Mag chuckled at her dramatic nature.

Yabemiya followed, visibly moved. "Boss, you're finally home. We missed you!"

"Boss." Gina looked at him with pure joy, though she restrained herself from her usual octopus-like hug.

Babla’s attention was immediately stolen by the food. "Wow! You're eating grilled meat without me? That's cold!"

Annie handed Babla a kebab with a smile. Babla beamed and sat down. "Annie, you're the best. Big Sister loves you."

Firis entered last, carrying Yayi. The baby’s eyes locked onto Mag, and she reached out her arms, making "Yi ya" noises.

"We barely know each other, why so much energy?" Mag teased as he took Little Yayi. The baby sniffed him, then promptly closed her eyes and fell asleep.

"..." Mag.

Am I a human sedative?

"Boss looks like a very comfortable place to sleep," Yabemiya whispered.

Elizabeth suppressed a smile. She noticed Mag seemed different, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

After placing Yayi in a stroller, Mag asked the group, "What's for dinner? Grilled meat, hot pot, or stir-fry?"

"We've had hot pot and grilled meat lately. Rena and Firis have those down. I’d love some red braised pork," Yabemiya requested.

"I'd like beggar's chicken," Gina added.

"Grilled fish for me."

"Stir-fry it is then. I'll get started. Oh, and I brought gifts. Go ahead and open them." Mag pulled a variety of presents from a spatial ring and handed them out.

As the ladies cheered over their gifts, Firis followed Mag into the kitchen. "Let me help."

Mag accepted. With Firis’s skill as an assistant, the meal would be ready much faster.

From the dining area, he heard gasps of wonder. He had chosen practical items from the Underground City rather than complex technology.

"It’s so cool and soothing." Yabemiya put on a thermostat bracelet. It was designed to keep the wearer's body temperature at a perfect level.

Since Miya struggled with temperature extremes, this would prevent her from overheating during a busy shift. The other gifts were equally personalized.

Amy received a massive snack pack containing a hundred of the Underground City's most popular treats. Annie got a specialized drawing board that could collapse into a bracelet, making it perfect for painting outdoors.

After a lively dinner, the group cleaned up and departed.

Mag continued his "Journey to the West" narration. It took three repetitions of the story before the three children finally drifted off to sleep.

Mag quietly closed their door and returned to his own room. The lighting was low and intimate. A stunning figure lay on the bed, her long legs visible through a sheer gown.

Mag smiled, shed his robe, and joined her, pulling her into his arms.

The bed swayed through the night, only stopping as the first light of dawn touched the horizon.

Mag reached toward the nightstand out of habit but found nothing. He chuckled to himself; even after a year in this world, he still craved a cigarette after such moments.

Beside him, Irina was still catching her breath, her eyes misty and satisfied.

"What happened over there?" she asked, her voice soft and airy.

"I had them sign a treaty. They won't be invading the Norland Continent." Mag produced the Twin Tower contract for her to see.

Irina sat up to read the document, her expression turning to one of surprise. "They actually agreed to this? I thought you said they were..."