Mari's smile softened as she nodded in agreement. They hadn't really had a getaway in a while. An anniversary trip here and there, but it wasn't the same as just packing up and escaping from everything for a while. The idea of showing the kids new places, letting them experience different things and meet different people, felt like a fresh start for everyone. She needed it, and so did Sage.

She hummed thoughtfully, glancing down at the empty plate in front of her. “Yeah, maybe,” she murmured. “It’s not like I can go back to the castle after everything that happened... not with nearly getting killed last time,” she added softly, a hint of seriousness in her tone. It wasn’t something she liked to dwell on, but it was hard to forget. The extra work would bring in a bit more money too, though they really didn’t need it. They were more than comfortable. But it would be nice to do something for herself, for them.

Mari looked back at him, her gaze softening. "Well then," she continued with a playful grin as she stood and picked up the plate, "maybe you should go run around for a bit. I’ll come rescue you from the rats in a month," she teased, her voice light as she pecked his cheek after he kissed her lips. He was probably right... hell, she hadn't been sleeping well, either. Everything felt like it was on hold.

She shook her head slightly. “I think I just need a break from everything. So do you," she added gently to him.

Mari hummed softly in agreement, her thoughts briefly drifting to the weight of her responsibilities. She’d worked alongside the doctor for years, but the last close call had shaken her more than she cared to admit. Now, with two kids and a husband to think about, she couldn’t afford to take the same risks. If something ever happened to her, Sage would be shattered, and the kids would grow up without their mother. The thought of leaving them behind made her stomach twist.

Maybe stepping away and taking up a role at the market stands every other day would give her the balance she needed. It wasn’t exactly thrilling, but it would keep her busy while allowing her to be present for her family.

She glanced at Sage, a small chuckle escaping her lips when he joked about the alleyways. “Sounds good,” she said with a playful grin, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to his cheek. “We’ll set up a timer and see how long it takes to find you.”

As he stood, she watched him for a moment, appreciating his steady presence before taking her plate and heading inside. They had a lot to figure out—plans for the holidays, routines for the kids and the likes

Mari made her way back inside the house, clearing up all their food and the likes. The thought of it all was amusing, though. Sage running around, her working back in the castle... things that should have left their minds years ago. They should just be happy that they were all safe now, and that they had eachother... this life, their kids... it was all so perfect, but she couldn't help but think she was missing... something.
(short, getting on a flight soon haha)

(you're good. I drive back to uni tmrw so I won't be on much then lol)

Sage moved around the barn, finishing up what he needed to do there and then messing around until Mari called him in for lunch. He wandered towards the house then, settling down for the meal and then once the kids ran off he moved to go paint for a little while and finish up some of the orders. That way they could dry and get sent out. He'd start looking for vacation places and such soon too....that was tonight's job he supposed, once the kids were in bed.

(Yeah we're heading back for Monday, flying tonight)

Mari eventually got lunch ready, then soon enough it was dinner time... she called Sage and the kids in as she normally would, and offered him a soft smile. It had been a pretty chilled day... though, she still very much wanted to head out at some point. It was only a small meal that she'd made, just so that she could be sure they'd have space to go out.

(yeah, classes start Monday for me as well)

Sage had moved to paint for a while, and get some of the orders finished so they could dry overnight and then be shipped off the next day. Once those were done though, he emerged from his little book to find Mari and wrap his arms around her from behind, since she was still wiping down the tables for probably the millionth time that day. "You ready to head out for dinner soon," he sort of hummed, figuring out what time they should leave.

Mari jumped softly after a moment, and moved to flash him a grin at his comment. She chucked the cloth to the side and gave him a soft nod. "Let me go get ready," she chirped happily before wandering off to get showered and dressed into something a bit more suitable to go out on. She smiled when she came back downstairs, her steps light and her face bright, obviously just happy to be going out for a few hours. "I'll go get the kids ready if there's anything you need to get done," she hummed, moving to peck his cheek before rounding Liz and Silas up.

Sage nodded lightly in response to her comment, flashing her a grin in response to her own smile. He didn't really need to get ready much, but he figured Mari would appreciate it if he changed into soemthing that didn't smell like horses and paint, so he moved to change clothes quickly, and then fix the messy bun into a slightly less messy bun. As in, he pulled the strands of hay out of it and tightened it up so the loose hair that had fallen out if it was back in it. He moved downstairs then to help get the kids ready, and soon enough they were out of the house and wandering downtown