The wizard paid the man at the door, or signed for the payment.  He wasn't quite sure which.  Running on autopilot with outsiders at the moment was the best he could manage at the moment.  He felt well and thoroughly wrung-out.  With Chinese bag in hand, he made his way back to the kitchen.  He set the food on the counter, and watched his wife as she struggled through emotion, and realization.  It was there, whether or not she said it.  There enough to suit him.<br/><br/>"Not an easy choice,"  He said softly, letting out a long, slow sigh.  "But I think one that will please you best in the long term."  He studied her face, and offered his hand to her.  "I suppose then, you have to ask yourself what you want to do.  Maybe you won't get your mother's slot on the council, but you're capable.  You've been groomed for the position.  If councilorship is something you want to pursue, I don't suppose a little elbow grease and a lot of heart would go amiss convincing one of the other councilors to take you on.  Or,"  He pressed on.  "If you don't want to fuss and muss with the council, maybe you could open up a greenhouse.  A flower shop.  Or...  Something.  Anything, really.  What is it you wanted to do, before you started getting groomed for council?"<br/><br/>He asked, trying to picture his wife up to her elbows in mud and plants.  It suited her well.  "I could go back to doing DMS full time, if money runs short.  It pays insanely well."  Largely because it was rather insanely dangerous.  But it was what Casey knew how to do.