A/N: Well here it is folks! The Epilogue

Thank you to all of you who have read, followed and favourited my story. And a special big thank you to everyone who left a comment. I've greatly enjoyed reading them. I hope you enjoy this.

Epilogue

Six months later

"Hey, you ready to roll?"

Sansa looked around her apartment at all the neatly stacked boxes ready for transport.

"I think so, Margaery. Can you do a quick check for me, just to make sure I haven't forgotten anything?"

"Sure thing. It's no big deal if you do. I'll just get it from our real estate agent if something turns up." Taking Sansa's hand, Margaery grinned at her. "Ready for this step, Sans?"

Nodding her head vigorously, Sansa's smile was glowing. "Yep. I don't think I've ever been this ready for anything. I can't wait to finally live with Sandor."

Today was the day Sansa was moving in with her boyfriend, Sandor - and his dog.

After their explosive first night together, the two quickly became virtually inseparable, seeing each other as often as humanly possible, considering his job and her shop.

Sansa still laughed when she remembered their first date. Sandor had turned up with a bouquet of roses and took her to a restaurant in the city. It had turned into something of a comedy of errors.

He had apologised for only having his ute to drive her in her finery, worried about ruining the silky dress she wore. Sansa had reassured him that it was fine. When they passed some road works, they felt a sharp bump. Suspecting the worst, Sandor hopped out and swore like a sailor when he saw his tyre had a puncture.

Changing the tyre on his beast of a vehicle was no mean feat, with Sandor getting marks on his shirt, despite his best efforts. Sansa offered to help but he refused and continued, swearing the whole time. She had to bite her lip to stop herself laughing at some the colourful phrases used.

Of course, they were subsequently late to the restaurant, neither thinking to ring and advise them of the circumstances. Upon arrival, Sandor, dishevelled and self-conscious, nearly lost it when told that their table had been given to other diners as it was assumed they were not coming. Only Sansa's hand on his arm, assuring him that they could go somewhere else, calmed him down.

Getting back in the ute, Sandor slumped onto the steering wheel, convinced that he had ruined everything and she would send him packing.

Sansa slid across the bench seat, wrapped her arm around Sandor's back and turned him to face her before giving him a tender kiss, saying that she didn't need fancy restaurants and what she really craved was some good, old fashioned fish and chips, eaten by the water.

Sitting on the harbour foreshore, munching on greasy battered fish and vinegar-drowned chips, the water reflecting the lights of the city buildings and the myriad of sailing vessels and Sandor's arm around her, Sansa couldn't imagine a better first date.

Followed by another amazing night of sex with Sandor. It was the early hours when they finally fell asleep, Sansa safely cradled within his arms.

It didn't take long for the two of them to fall headlong into love.

They were walking Stranger, holding hands, when Sansa blurted out, "I love you, Sandor", unable to contain her feelings for a moment longer, so consumed by them as she was.

Sandor had stopped in his tracks, stared at her for a few heartbeats before taking her face in his hands and whispering "I love you too, Little Bird," his grey eyes shining with happiness and kissing her passionately, as if trying to pour all his feelings into it.

The kiss only ended when Stranger, fed up with waiting for his two humans to stop trying to eat each other's faces (sniffing bums and tails was much better in his opinion), pushed his wet snout between their bodies and snuffled impatiently. It worked, as their walk continued, much to Stranger's satisfaction.

They spent every weekend together, more and more often at Sandor's house, about a twenty minute drive away, due to Stranger. Sansa didn't really have anywhere for the big dog to stay other than inside her apartment, which wasn't ideal for any of them.

She loved his house. It was an old federation-style house in the suburb of Concord. Being an older suburb, the trees were large and well-established and his street was very leafy and quiet. He also had a big backyard for Stranger, though the dog believed that he should live inside like the other humans and was frequently found snoozing in a sunny spot inside, much to Sandor's chagrin.

Sandor had completely renovated the inside, so it was light and modern with a great patio area that Sansa could see being used for outdoor entertaining, once summer returned.

His bed was enormous, made to fit a man his size but they inevitably ended up entwined together in the middle, though neither complained, especially now in the cold of winter. Sandor was her own personal heating system, she liked to joke.

About a month before, when Sandor was dragging himself out of her bed to head home as it was a weekday, he turned to see Sansa gaze sleepily up him and could read in her eyes how much she didn't want him to go, despite the necessity.

On impulse he took her hand. "Move in with me, Little Bird." Sansa just stared at him in shock. "I…I know it might be too soon for you, but, dammit, I'm sick of leaving you or watching you leave me. I love you. I want to be with you. Every night." Taking a gulp, he continued, "We're together every spare moment we can be, anyway. We eat together most nights, spend the whole weekend with each other. Fuck, half my wardrobe is filled with your clothes. What do you say?"

The silence was excruciating until Sansa flung herself into his arms, kissing him all over his face. "Yes! Yes! Yes! I really want to live with you. I love you so much. I hate when you leave too. Oh Sandor, I can't wait!"

As it turned out, they had to wait nearly a month before Sansa could move in, what with giving notice to her landlord, in this case, Margaery's family real estate agent and couple of building jobs that Sandor already had booked that required weekend work.

They used the time to inform their families of their new upcoming living arrangements.

Sansa had met Sandor's sister, Eleanor, a couple of weeks after they became a couple, when she had invited them over for dinner, excited that Sandor had found someone that she hoped would love him as he deserved.

Eleanor's home, with her husband David, her two children, Maeve and Rhys and their baby girl, Alana, was loud and rambunctious and Sansa loved it. It reminded her of growing up with her brothers and sister and the mayhem that would often ensue when together.

Sansa and Eleanor got on like a house on fire and she fell in love with baby Alana, in whose features she could see her beloved Sandor and couldn't help wondering if any child of theirs would resemble him. She quickly shook the thought away but it lingered in the recesses of her mind. Sansa wished she could have met Sandor's aunt Agatha, but she had sadly passed away a couple of years before.

Sandor's meeting with her family had been a more subdued affair, seeing as how only Bran and Rickon were still living at home, though Sandor had already met Arya at Sansa's home. As Winterfell was about three hours drive away, Sansa had informed her parents that she was bringing her boyfriend to meet them and that they would stay the night.

Her parents had been a little taken aback upon first seeing Sandor. To their credit, they had quickly recovered and greeted him cordially, welcoming him to their home. The usual subtle grilling of Sandor, his background and prospects and all the other important things parents want to know of the man who's dating their daughter occurred, with Sandor handling it all rather admirably, Sansa thought.

On their own in the kitchen while Ned and Sandor discussed the intricacies of the new rugby league season, Catelyn asked Sansa if she was sure this relationship was right for her, pointing out that Sandor was just a carpenter.

"Mum, he has his own successful business. And he's not just a carpenter, he's an artist. You should see some of the houses he's done, including his own. And I'm just a shopkeeper, after all," pointed out Sansa.

Catelyn sighed. "I know. I'm just being a mum. I want to know that my little girl is happy. After what happened…"

"I am, Mum. Sandor makes me happy. And all that mess with Joffrey was a long time ago. I wasn't planning on meeting anyone, not with the business and all, but when Sandor walked in, it..it was like getting hit by lightning. He loves me and I love him. It's real and…and I think Sandor could be it, Mum."

Tears misting her eyes, Catelyn stared at her daughter, reading the sincerity in her voice and pulled her into her arms. Mother and daughter hugged for a few moments. When they broke apart, they both had watery eyes and they began chuckling at their silliness.

"Let's get dessert out, why don't we? Your father has been champing at the bit for some of my apple pie and your Sandor looks like he needs a lot of food to fuel that huge body," declared Catelyn with a no-nonsense nod of her head.

Sansa knew it meant that Catelyn had accepted Sandor and couldn't keep the grin off her face, not even her father's sideways looks when she took Sandor's hand in hers and kissed him lightly on the lips upon returning to the table.

Over the last few months, Sandor had met the rest of Sansa's family and they didn't seem have an issue with him, but he was somewhat glad that they didn't live in the next suburb!

Now, Sandor and Bronn were bringing their utes to transport Sansa's belongings. Sandor's house had three bedrooms, so he had assured her that there was room to store unneeded furniture if necessary and that Sansa could change whatever she wanted. He didn't much care, as long as his Little Bird made her nest with him.

"So, what's going on with you and Bronn? Are you ready to admit that it's not just a casual thing anymore?" asked Sansa as they waited for the men.

Margaery and Bronn flirted outrageously for the first couple of months that their friends had gotten together, especially as they were thrown together quite often. Sansa had asked her friend why she was hesitating, as Margaery usually had no qualms about taking new lovers. The answer that Bronn was a bit of a player had surprised Sansa due to Margaery's own history but left them to work it out themselves.

Even when they finally did became lovers Margaery insisted that it was not serious and they were just having fun together. And it seemed so for a little while but they began spending more and more time together. Sandor confided in her that Bronn had admitted to having feelings for Margaery but was too afraid to say anything as Margaery herself had not given any indication that she wanted to change the status quo.

When they all hung out together, Sansa watched her friend closely and saw the looks she gave Bronn and they certainly weren't casual. Talking to her didn't help as Margaery could be as secretive as the CIA when she wanted to be. She debated telling Margaery about Bronn's feelings but decided against it, as it was not her secret to share.

Margaery looked at her friend in surprise before taking a sip of her tea. "Why do you think that?" she asked cagily.

"Oh, come on, Marge. It's as plain as the nose on your face that you really like Bronn. You spend a lot of time together and I know it's not just in bed. You've been to concerts and movies together. You regularly have dinner with him. That sounds like a boyfriend to me."

"You're right," sighed Margaery. "I do like him. A lot. I think I may be in love with him, even."

"Then why don't you tell him."

"I'm afraid he doesn't feel the same. He's been such a player in the past, with his charm and wit. He's a complete flirt, but it's unconscious with him. He'd flirt with the old ladies at church if he went."

"Do you think he would cheat on you? Has he been with anyone else since you two started your fling?" asked Sansa curiously.

Margaery shook her head. "No. That's the thing. He hasn't seen anyone except me since before we even hooked up. At least, that's what he says and I believe him. He's an outrageous flirt but he's an honest one."

"Sandor says the same and he's known Bronn most of his life," confirmed Sansa. "Doesn't that tell you something? You've known him six months and he hasn't been with another woman? I think you need to have a talk with him. Soon."

"When you put it that way, I can't help but agree with you. It's a scary thing, Sans."

"I know, but if he feels the same way…there's no better feeling in the world, Margaery," sighed Sansa wistfully, thinking of her beloved tradie.

A knock on the door signalled the arrival of their men. Sansa greeted Sandor with an exuberant kiss despite having seen him only that morning, having slept over as usual before going home to see to Stranger.

"Ready to move in with me, Little Bird?" he chuckled as he nuzzled her throat.

"Mmmm, definitely, my love. Let's go. I can't wait!"

The four them loaded Sansa's things into the two vehicles, Sandor insisting the girls not carry any of the heavy furniture, especially down the stairs. With a bit of effort and puzzle-solving skills, they managed to get everything into the vehicles. Sansa would follow behind with Margaery in her car.

Sansa closed the door on her apartment for the last time, a sense of nostalgia hitting her, but no regret, none whatsoever. Sure, it would take longer to get to work but it was a small price to pay for the happiness of living with Sandor.

Whilst unloading back at their house, Sandor insisting on the term, Arya turned up with Gendry and with all the hands on deck, it didn't take all that long for Sansa to be settled in her new home.

Luckily it was a sunny, if cold, day so Sandor lit the outdoor fire pit, ensuring the safety grill was in place and the six of them ate a late lunch/early dinner that Sansa had ordered.

Sandor and Arya traded mock insults back and forth, while Sansa snuggled happily in his arms, the fire and their thick jumpers keeping her toasty warm. Stranger was beside himself at having so many people to fuss over him and sneak him treats until he finally passed out at Sandor's feet, snoring away.

Bronn and Margaery sat close together, the intimate glances they shared leading Sansa to firmly believe that they would make their relationship official within a very short time. She wanted her friend to be as happy as she was.

Arya asked if they planned to throw a house-warming party and though Sandor baulked at the thought of so many people in their house, if Sansa wanted it, he would bear it, for her. There really wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his Little Bird, come to think of it.

"Maybe in a few months," replied Sansa. "When it warms up a bit. We'll see." She looked up at Sandor and gave him a reassuring smile. If he was against it, then she'd settle for a dinner with her closest friends, including Jeyne, Lommy and Hotpie.

After their guests left, Sandor led Sansa back outside and they sat in the glow of the fire, arms firmly around each other, the reality that they now lived together and neither would have to leave the other to go home only now setting in.

"Happy, Little Bird?" he murmured, nuzzling her hair.

"Extremely," sighed Sansa, tightening her grip. "I love you, Sandor."

Lifting her chin with his finger, Sandor kissed her tenderly for a long while. "Love you too, Sansa." He started fumbling with something in his pocket but it was too dark to see what it was. Once he found it, he let go of Sansa and to her shock, he moved off the seat and knelt down in front of her.

Sansa's eyes widened in astonishment. Sandor wasn't…wasn't…was he?

"Sansa, Little Bird," he commenced, before clearing his throat nervously and taking her hand. "I was going to wait, give it more time seeing as you just moved in with me, but…but, I can't." Looking at her, grey eyes hopeful, he kissed her hand. "Little Bird, I know that I will never love another woman after you. I never expected to meet someone like you, and I know that I'm the luckiest bastard in the world. You…you are everything to me. My first and last thought is of you and pretty much most thoughts in between, to tell the truth. Will you marry me, Little Bird?"

Before Sansa could reply he hurriedly continued. "We don't have to marry straight away. We can wait as long as you like if you think it's too soon. I know I'm not what you probably had in mind for a husband, but I promise I'll always love and care for you and any children we may have…one day…maybe…but only if you want them…"

Sansa placed her hand over his mouth, to stop his nervous babbling. "Sandor…stop." She then took hold of his face and leaned toward him. "Sandor, I would love to marry you. I love you and want nothing more than to be your wife. And you're exactly what I always wanted in a husband. Someone who loves me completely. And I know you'll care for me like I'll always care for you and our children, whenever they come. And no, it's not too soon. I knew I wanted to be yours forever as soon as I realised I was in love with you. So yes, Sandor, yes, I will marry you and as soon as you want."

She had never seen Sandor's face lit up like it was right now. She could also detect a drop of moisture in those wonderful eyes of his. Her breath was stolen from her when he moved to sit down and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her until they were both breathless with love and joy.

Pulling away first, Sandor opened his palm, a velvet ring box looking tiny in his huge hand. "I…I hope you like it. Eleanor helped me pick it out. I don't know shit about rings, to be honest."

Taking the box, Sansa carefully opened it and gasped. Inside lay a gorgeous diamond solitaire set between two smaller stones and a band that was also studded with tiny diamonds.

"Oh my! It's gorgeous, Sandor!" breathed Sansa, staring at the ring. It was exactly the type of ring she would have chosen for herself. It was delicate and feminine and not at all flashy. "I love it, baby. Here, put it on me."

Sandor took the box from her hand and with all due seriousness, gently slid the ring onto her finger. Sansa immediately lifted her hand to admire the ring, the light from the fire pit making the ring shine like a rainbow.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Sansa rubbed her nose against his. "Thank you, my love. I'm so happy, my husband-to-be."

"I like the sound of that, my wife-to-be," he chuckled before kissing her passionately.

Pulling back, Sansa gave her fiancé a sly grin. "How about we go inside and celebrate our engagement?"

"I love how you think, Little Bird."

"Do you have your tool belt handy?"

"Yes."

"Good, I have a hankering to play with it," she replied, winking saucily at him. "And the tool within."

Sandor chuckled throatily. Standing up suddenly, his Little Bird in his arms, he carried her in to their bedroom and proceeded to show her exactly how handy with his tool he could be.

A/N: I'll definitely be writing more Sansan as I have ideas coming out of my ears! I am also on Tumblr as queenoferebor1204 where I post updates.