Sage just grinned as her mother let out a sort of amusement, glad she was warm enough to at least laugh at his jokes and banter, however you'd describe it. It was just something he did naturally. He would have to keep a cap on the jokes about her fucking him though, since he doubted her mother would appreciate that. Actually....neither would his crew. He'd have to keep his tongue in check for that, at least.

Sage hummed softly in response to joras comment, nodding along. "Me too," he noted with a chuckle. Then he shrugged. "I dunno, the whole crew would just nod in understanding if you said I pissed her off. I've pissed off all them plenty of times and they haven't killed me yet," he added, the last part mostly a joke.

The air was warm as they finished working, and brought all the food out for the pirates to partake in. He did appreciate Jora making sure everyone was well fed, as she knew as well as he did the ship biscuits and such weren't very good. They all came to appreciate them but ....they were nothing compared to a homemade meal.

"We might have to stop by a little more often, just for this," he heard Jace note, sending Jora a wink as he held up his bowl and spoon. It wasn't flirting ...more of a grandfather type of form of fondness. It was nice to see everyone getting along.

Sage chuckled though, and nodded along. "The food was the deciding factor for staying here with her," he joked. They all knew he'd have chosen this over anything else even if they only had sea biscuits or something even worse. But her food was delicious.

Jora rolled her eyes again, but her lips tugged upward in spite of herself. “You’re lucky I didn’t poison yours,” she said dryly, though it was clear she didn’t mean it. Much. Maybe just a little—on the days he truly tested her patience.

She glanced toward her mother as Sage joked again, carefully gauging the older woman’s expression. To her credit, her mother seemed more amused than anything, even if she did give Jora a look that plainly said he’s a handful, isn’t he?

Jora responded with a look of her own: you have no idea.

Still, the warmth in the air wasn’t just from the food. Her crew—her family now—was laughing and eating, not a sour face in sight. Jace was being his usual theatrical self, praising the soup like it was made from the gods’ own hands. Lyra was giggling in her grandmother’s lap, waving around a piece of bread like it was a sword. And Sage… he was grinning like his heart was finally calm.

Jora let out a slow breath and leaned her hip against the table, bowl in hand. “You stay for the food, huh?” she murmured, shooting him a sidelong look. “That’s good to know. I’ll remember that the next time you track mud through my clean floors.”

But her eyes softened as she took him in—his tired face, his bruised knuckles, the peace sitting so clearly in his posture. He was a handful. But he was hers. Just like this place, this little patch of life they’d carved out, was theirs.

She let the teasing tone slip for just a moment. “I’m glad you brought them,” she said simply, gaze drifting over the crew, her mother, all the laughter echoing off the trees. “Even if they eat everything in sight.”

She took a bite of her soup, then added, “Just know you’re doing the dishes later. Captain or not.”

Sage had let his gaze move over the crowd as they ate, a smile faint on his face. It wasn't something he had imagined ...their family here and together, and his crew all celebrating with them. He'd known Jace, and a few others at least, would want to show up, but he certainly hadn't expected the whole crew to arrive with gifts as large as their smiles. Seriously, he'd had to clear out an entire shed last minute to make room for everything they'd brought with them.

Some of it was clearly practical, like baby things, or dishes, or clothes or various appliances. Some of it was just random shiny stuff he knew was probably worth quite a bit of money. Either way, he appreciated it all. He hadn't asked for gifts ...all he wanted was jace's signature and legal power. But they'd come with all this, and they were having a good time. It was better than what he could have imagined really.

He wrinkled his nose with a sort of hum at Joras comment about the mud and gave her an innocent look. "I don't do that," he sort of huffed, no real malice in his voice. "Shoes come off at the door," he added with a grumble. Of course, he knew there were times that didn't do much since he was covered in dirt from the garden or hunting or something...but he could play.

He nodded happily when she mentioned she was glad they were there, and he nestled into his spot on the grass where their aides were brushing each other's he just liked being near her. "I didn't expect them all to want to come," he admitted. "Jace, maybe a few others, but not ...not this." It was clear he was enjoying himself though, and that more coming was a good thing.

He threw her an amused glance at her comment about the dishes, shrugging as he took another bite. "Was that before or after those clothes we were talking about earlier are removed," he teased gently, knowing full well she'd help him do dishes and full well that wouldn't be how they'd spend their wedding night either.

Sage just grinned over at jora, knowing full well he'd said it quietly enough her mother wouldn't have picked up on it. "Oh please," he snorted. "That was said to you and you alone," he noted, eyes glittering mischeviously. "Besides, I don't know that you could stay up waiting for me that long," he added. Whether it was just going to sleep or not, doing all those dishes that night would take longer than he figured she'd want to wait.

Sage squeezed her hand when she moved to take his, resting lightly against her side, the now empty soup bowl resting lightly on the grass. "I didn't expect them to love me this much," he admitted. "Some yes but...not all." He appreciated it though, and they knew it.

It was all so familiar, the way he was here with Jora, amd the way jace's voice carried across the beach, old but still strong as ever. He knew the tale he was spinning well....he'd been through more than enough wild adventures to make all sorts of stories out of. Good thing Jace was good at making them seem fun. And most of them had been, he supposed. But there would always be people lost in them, lowered into the sea to rest with their protector. Their guide. The ocean was everything to them....it made sense it would be a final resting place for those who had fought valiantly.

He hummed softly as she spoke again, a soft chuckle rising in his throat. "Reminding me, huh," he mused, the corners of his mouth lifting. "I suppose I could stand to be reminded," he added, knowing full well they'd both enjoy whatever they decided to do.

It wasn't long before that though that they were separated by their family...Jora with her mother and sage by Jace and a few other close crew members, to get them ready for the ceremony. It wasn't much...no big dress or suit, or anything like that. But simple things like sitting him down and dealing with his hair and shooing him into the pond to wash off. There were clothes too...a simple captains outfit, simple but it did look nice he supposed. It was mostly black, highlighted with a deep blue color, reminding everyone do their ocean home, and highlighted with a gold that makes his eyes shine. Or so they told him, he couldn't see his own eyeballs. They said there'd be one for Jora too, which he figured she wouldn't mind. They said it wasn't a dress anyway, though they did mention a sort of train to it. He wasn't sure. They reassured him it was fine.

The next hour or so was a blur, crew members trickling out one by one until only he and Jace remained. He'd say there, figuring nervously, and Jace rested his hands on his shoulders with a chuckle before moving to slip a simple choker necklace around his neck, sporting small blue, green, and grey sea glass bits with a grey stone arrowhead resting nearly between his collar bones. "This belonged to my father, then to me. And since I never had any kids ..I'd like you to have it," Jace noted. Sages hand flew up to the necklace, clearly stunned by the decision, but Jace had already turned to go, and was waiting for him by the door.

Sage glance into the mirror one more time, before shakily getting up and following him out. The beach had been transformed into something beautiful. For for a marriage. He'd made decorations, given instructions, but this was .....perfect. He felt his grin splitting his face as Jace directed him as to where he needed to stand, fidgeting there as he waited for Jora to come down the isle. To him. As his bride. He really couldn't wait.

The beach had been quiet for a moment, just the rhythmic crash of waves and the soft rustle of the breeze through the sparse trees at the edge of the sand. But as Jora stood behind the cover of a small tent they’d set up for her to prepare in—if you could call it that, considering how casual she usually was—her heart was anything but calm.

The outfit the crew had laid out for her was beautiful. Not a dress, no, they were right about that—and thank the stars for it—but it was still elegant. A fitted jacket in soft storm-gray, embroidered with gold thread that shimmered faintly when the sunlight touched it. The undershirt was seafoam blue, and the pants were high-waisted and flowing at the ends, like something from another time. A subtle train drifted behind her, attached at the hips, made of gauzy fabric that caught the breeze like sails in motion. The whole thing felt like her, but elevated. Just enough.

She’d never seen herself as someone who would get married—not in a grand way, at least. But this didn’t feel grand. It felt right. Comfortable. Like every piece had fallen into place the moment she stepped onto the sand.

Her mother had helped pin her hair back loosely, leaving most of it cascading over her shoulders, with a few braids tucked in for detail—little things, simple and meaningful. Jora had insisted on carrying Lyra out with her. No one argued.

As the soft music—a few crew members playing something wistful and low—started to drift through the air, Jora stepped out from behind the cover and started down the makeshift aisle.

Her heart caught the second she saw him.

Sage stood there like the sea had sculpted him for this moment. The gold and blue on his outfit made his eyes gleam like sunlight on water. And the necklace—gods, the necklace. She recognized it. Knew what it meant. Her chest tightened, emotion blooming raw in her throat.

She held Lyra close against her hip, the baby wide-eyed and surprisingly quiet, as if she too understood this was something sacred.

Jora’s eyes never left Sage’s face.

Her fingers itched to reach out. Her pace wasn’t rushed, but it wasn’t slow either—because she couldn’t wait to be beside him. To be his.

When she finally reached him, she didn’t hesitate. She handed Lyra off gently to her mother with a grateful smile, then stepped directly into Sage’s space, eyes full of love and something fierce and unshakable.

“You’re going to make me cry,” she whispered, grinning up at him with damp lashes already. “And I didn’t even make it to the vows yet.”

Sage felt his breath catch in his throat when Jora finally stepped out from the tent area she's been getting ready in. God, she was beautiful. He'd always thought of her that way, but every detail the pirates and her mother had put forward for this shone in the sun, the love in her eyes calling to him the way it always did.

His eyes locked on hers, and he felt himself choke up. He met her gaze, smile curving his lips upwards as he waited for her to walk towards him. It seemed to take forever, but as she handed Lyra to her mother and took the hands he'd offered her, he couldn't quench the emotion that was clutching his chest. He was frozen there, his anxious fidgeting stopping as she neared him. "If you start so will I," he warned her, only barely able to keep the wetness in his eyes from dampening his face.

He wasn't a crier...never had been. It was always bloody knuckles and a scowl. But here, for her, these tears would be for that. They weren't tears of Sadness or anger. It was different. And he didn't mind.

He didn't let his gaze wander from her while Jace spoke, only glancing away from him when he handed the rings to he and Jora. His breath caught when he saw them...they were small, not super shiny, but definitely expensive. They were made of a finished wood, with a small band in the middle of blueish greenish gemstones. They looked like they were mimicing waves. They were beautiful, and definitely cost a lot of money. Or they'd been stolen. Either one worked, he supposed.

He managed to keep his emotions in check, barely, until he heard Jora say 'i do'. That was enough for a small breath to escape him, and he practically lept at her when Jace announced the kiss. It was a bit awkward, given the fact that she was taller than him, but after the initial hop up he'd done, it was like every other peck he gave her. Except it was because they were wed. Their first kiss as husband and wife.

He couldn't be happier.

He barely even registered the cheering as the crew jumped to their feet, chaos ensuing around them. They were married. Finally, after waiting for so long, they were married. He felt Jace clap him on the back, and he turned to grin over at the old man, who'd quickly sliped away into the crowd, which had already started to set up things for the meal and dance after.

They hadn't planned that...the pirates had taken it into their own hands. He knew none of them would get drunk, not at an event like this, and not with Lyra there wandering around and babbling to whoever would listen. Currently, Jace was bouncing her around in a playful sort of dance.

All the noise was just ringing in his ears, the excitement of the moment all revolving around her. They were married. Married. It was all he could think about. He'd waited so long, dreamed about it for longer, and now...now it had finally happened.

Her voice broke him out of his trance like state, and he chuckled softly, holding her hand tightly. "I suppose I shouldn't let that happen, now should I," he mused, moving to tug her down to where people had already started dancing, not wasting any time in placing his hand on her waist and leading her through the steps of the dances until they'd moved to eat.

Dinner was wonderful, a chaotic mess of love and all the other emotions that came with it. It was over far too soon, but the pirates had eventually moved back to the ship, as it was quite late in the night.

He supposed he was glad of it, in a way. Joras mother and Selene had decided to camp out in the beach, and volunteered to take Lyra with them. It would leave sage and Jora alone of their wedding night. When they said that, sage caught jace's wink from behind them all and could hardky keep from laughing out loud.

It was quiet now, the two of them heading inside together. It was almost off, but at the same time he was glad to have the time alone with her. And she was beautiful, and amazing, and most importantly his.