"Thank God, he's okay..." Sansa breathed out as she watched Jon stroke every inch of Ghost's patchy coat.
"You're going to be okay, Ghost," whispered Jon into the canine's ears. He acted as if he didn't even hear his sister. All he could think about was his childhood best friend. "They say this happens in older dogs but you're young at heart, aren't you boy?"
Ghost whined, responding to Jon before giving a weak lick to his hand.
"I know, boy." Jon turned to Rowe. "How do we treat this thyroid issue?"
"Medicine should do it. We have all forms and we'll have regular check-ups since he is an elder dog. Symptoms should go within a couple of months though," promised Rowe. "I'll go and get that prescription."
As he left, Rowe let Arya in who smiled at the sight of Jon kissing Ghost's head, almost making the husky smile.
"One minute with his dad and he's all good," she said. "How is he?"
"He'll be better once he gets some medicine down him," replied Sansa. "Let's just be thankful it wasn't as serious as it could be."
She and Arya shared a glance, hoping Jon would speak to them directly. After she'd called him, Sansa was met with him hanging up on her. She found out from Rowe that he'd received a call from Tormund about his vet's whereabouts for Jon.
"Think we'll be able to take him home? Maybe the manor, he'd have enough space to run around." Sansa suggested.
Jon's body shook as he placed kisses on Ghost's head, again and again, his tears seeping into the dog's thick coat.
"Jon...," Arya's voice broke. "I know we set you off. We know you haven't been feeling good in a long while. We're all hurting but don't shut us out. Don't shut me out..."
Jon turned to her, begrudgingly offering her his hand. Taking it, Arya sighed in relief and turned to Sansa who had a bright smile on her face through her own tears.
"We care about you."
"I'm seeing someone," Jon mumbled. "He's an arsehole but good at his job. They call him 'Spider' because he can literally create a web of revelations to help in people's griefs."
"Thank God!" Sansa sighed. "Is he just yours or can we see him too? I think we all need help."
Jon nodded. "I'll ask. I'll even put family sessions in. I want this to work so we can move on because..."
"We understand," said Arya, hugging his arm tightly.
"You don't understand. The day they died... it was my fault."
Sansa shook her head. "It was no one's fault but the people who killed them. Those two muggers. You didn't-"
"I didn't answer Rickon's calls. He called me fifteen times because he always called me before he called Robb. If I'd answered that day, maybe he and Robb would still be with us." Jon wiped his tears. "Maybe Robb's little one would have been one by now."
Sansa faltered. "Jon. Don't blame yourself-"
"Lysa was right. I was with Ygritte that night. We got into an argument about her modelling gig. Can't even remember what it was about specifically. She kicked me out half-naked and I realised my mother's necklace wasn't around my neck so I begged her to get back in to get it and we ended up back in her bed before going to Night's Watch. She wanted to get the address of a nearby strip club that one of the models she knew worked at. I didn't want to go but she was so persuasive," he chuckled bitterly. "We went and we did it in the ladies' toilets before we just drove around and..." He shrugged. "There was one thing on my mind that night and it wasn't Rickon. It was sex. Just toxic, desperate sex with a woman I wasn't sure I even loved anymore."
Sansa pursed her lips and nodded, crossing her arms as she took a seat. "Is that it?" She asked. "Is that why you think you are to blame for Rickon, Robb and Talisa's deaths?" Their names stung in her throat. "Because you were fucking your ex-girlfriend and didn't answer your little brother's calls?"
Arya let go of Jon's arm and went to stand beside the door, looking away with a faint blush on her cheeks.
"What about me? Eh?" Sansa spat out. "I saw seven calls from Rickon - I..." She looked down.
"What?" Jon asked. "Where were you then?"
Sansa looked worried, fear glazing over her eyes. "I-I... Jon, don't hate me..."
Jon was alarmed. "I can never hate you. Nor Arya or Bran. No matter what, I'm here and I love you all. I know that these past few weeks have been awful but we're getting by. Since you got hit by that car, I felt sick to my stomach. I won't let anything happen to any of you ever again."
Ghost whined.
"Even Ghost," Jon promised. "So, tell me. I can't hate you for the truth or anything for that matter."
Swallowing deeply, Sansa nodded. "I was with Ramsay."
"What the fuck, Sansa?" Arya said.
Jon winced as if his chest was hurting. "Please, tell me you weren't."
Sansa nodded. "I was. The divorce was finalised but he begged me to see him one last time. So, I went to meet him. I wanted to hurt him as he hurt me throughout our marriage-"
"Your farce of a marriage!" Jon hissed.
"I know," said Sansa. "I wanted him to hurt, Jon. I went to his place, the bastard still had my blood splattered on some of the walls and he looked so fucking proud. So, I... I got mad and hit him across the head with his cricket bat. I ran away after that and buried the bat in the gardens underneath Mum's rose bushes that night. Then, I got the call from the police about what happened. I was scared they were coming for me but they told me..." A sob escaped her lips.
"Did you hit him hard?" Jon asked.
Shaking her head, Sansa said, "No."
"Shame, should have finished the job," said Arya under her breath.
"I agree with you there," replied Jon. "I would have done it myself. Why didn't you call me?"
Sansa tilted her head. "Like you answered Rickon's calls already?"
"Low blow, Sans..." Arya frowned.
"Sorry. We're all at fault. Jon, I'm sorry."
Jon shook his head. "I'm sorry I didn't let Robb finish the job when we had the chance to. But you don't need to worry. He's dead."
Her eyes widened. "What? When? How?"
"I don't know. Months back. Just heard the news that his hounds turned on him and you get the picture."
Both females winced.
"What a way to go." Sansa smiled to herself.
"I still think I should have dealt with him. No offence to Robb or Jon," said Arya. "I'm good with swords of all kinds."
"Yes you are," smiled Jon. "I'm sorry for worrying you guys, I really am. And I'm sorry for Rickon and Robb..."
Sansa stood up, giving him a tight hug, reaching behind her for Arya. "I'm sorry too. We shouldn't have labelled you when you didn't even know what was going on yourself. Grief and trauma... they affect us all differently."
"I'm sorry too for nearly killing myself," said Arya quietly. "We haven't even mentioned it since that day. If we're airing everything out, we might as well air this too."
"Do you have suicidal tendencies, Ary?" Jon asked.
Arya nodded. "I did then. Now, I don't. I know depression's different for everyone but I felt really low even though I smiled and got on with my day. But you're an amazing big brother and you gave me time. You didn't push me, you did what you do best and protected me. And Sansa... I know we argue and don't get along too well but I'd like that to change. You're my only sister, my closest friend. I love you as much as I love the rest of our siblings. You helped me too. By taking the first steps to fix our relationship, you helped me. I hope to share many more pancakes for dinner days. And Bran helped me by just being himself. He's getting better and soon he'll beat us at Scrabble all the time again."
The siblings hugged each other tightly, even giving notice to Ghost as Rowe returned.
"I figured you guys needed some space. Tormund warned me to do so," the man smirked. "Here's Ghost's medication. He should make a full recovery. I wish you all the best."
...
"Why are you here?" Sam frowned. "You have sick leave."
Jon nodded. "I need to know what's going on with the Lannisters. Sansa's worried about them."
"Brienne's out of the woods. She woke up fairly quickly, the baby's doing fine. Jaime, well he is in denial about the loss of his superior hand but his family promise to help him with therapy and all. What about you?"
Jon gave him a small smile, nudging his shoulder. "I'm good, mate. Today's Wednesday, the day my family repairs itself again. We'll be fine. It's a good day, Sam."
"Good. Sansa told me about an event on Arya's birthday this Friday. Tell her I'll be there since I can't make it on Saturday."
"Cheers mate, Arya would love it."
Sam grinned. "If there's Guinness, you know I'm in!"
"Good man," said Jon. "I'll see you later but thanks for the update."
As Jon was leaving, his eyes met with Dany's and she sent him a smile, waving him over.
"Sansa told me you were missing," she said, hugging him. "What happened?"
"I'll explain all soon. How are you?"
"Tired," she yawned. "Just need to head to sleep soon."
"When do you end?"
"Three hours."
Jon nodded, placing a kiss on her lips. "Good luck," he smiled.
Dany groaned. "You're evil. Trying to make me crave you for three hours. I'll talk to you later."
Watching her leave, Jon sent a smile her way as she turned around to smile back. "Love you," he mouthed to her.
Her eyes brightened, cheeks reddening as she continued and quickly took on a patient.
Maybe things were getting better.
...
Sansa's eyebrows raised as she let Ygritte enter, a bottle of wine in her hand and a bright smile on her face.
"We haven't talked in a while, Sansa," she said.
"How did you find Dany's place?"
Ygritte shrugged. "I watched you one day. Sorry for stalking you but I was beginning to miss your company."
Sansa chuckled lightly, collecting two wine glasses. "Because I'm like Jon?"
"If I can't have him, I can hang out with you," joked Ygritte. She opened the bottle and poured them both a glass each. "How have you been?"
"You told Jon that I was going to see Tyrion."
Ygritte winced. "Sorry, but I couldn't let you go through-"
"Thank you. You helped me keep my sanity. You're right, I wouldn't have been able to do it. Jon was upset with me but it's made us closer. More than ever."
The older woman smiled. "That's good. I didn't mean to betray your trust."
"Thanks. Jon told me about how you and he met. He told me about your relationship."
Ygritte raised an eyebrow, sipping her wine. "Our toxic relationship?"
"That's how he described it," said Sansa.
"It's true. There are some things he doesn't know about our relationship, though." Ygritte sighed, downing her glass and pouring another. "Should have got something strong."
"How does that work?" Sansa chuckled. "How does he not know things about your relationship."
Ygritte shrugged. "I haven't been honest with you. Nor Jon."
"What do you mean?"
"I was mad at Jonny..." Ygritte sighed. "The day your family died-"
"You were together. He told us."
Ygritte nodded. "He was mad at me, we broke up after that. The day you told me the story, Jon texted me that he had his phone off whilst he was with me. It's my fault your brothers aren't here, Sansa."
Sansa rolled her eyes. "We've been around this already. It was tragic but it wasn't any of our faults."
"When we broke up, I didn't contact him until the day I returned his phone and met you. A lot of things happened since that day."
"One and a half years is a long time," agreed Sansa. "What do you mean about not being honest though?"
Ygritte turned to her nervously, taking a sip from her wine. "A month since that day," she started, referring to their family's traumatic day. "I found out that I was pregnant."
Sansa gasped, placing her glass on the coffee table. "Wh-what?" She breathed out. "P-Pregnant? With Jon's baby?"
Ygritte nodded. "He's nine months old." She whispered.
"He?" Sansa asked, tears falling down her cheeks. "Why did you keep him away from Jon, from us?"
"You were grieving. I was angry. I had no right to be but you wouldn't understand me the way Jon got me."
Sansa shook her head in disbelief. "Where is he?" She asked firmly.
Ygritte glanced up at her. "With my dad."
"Fuck!" Sansa cursed. "Fuck you, Ygritte. My brother has been hurting all this time and you kept this from him?!" She shook her head. "He had a fucking meltdown the other day. He went AWOL and didn't answer our calls."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
"You should leave and you should tell him. Or I will." Sansa warned. "And if I tell him, I'll make sure he gets sole custody-"
"You... You're angry, you can't do that-"
"I'll tell him you hurt me. That time in the club when you grabbed my wrist. I can tell them you're a wh-"
Ygritte slapped Sansa as hard as she could, spilling her wine on to the coffee table in the process. "I'm sorry, I kept it from him but you can't take my baby away from me! I want him to know Jon."
"You're jealous. That he's with someone else," said Sansa, holding her cheek as tears stung her eyes. "Why did you keep it from him?"
"I wanted a piece of him that wouldn't leave me?" Ygritte asked herself, shrugging as her voice broke. "Little Edward's all I got."
Sansa looked at her, rubbing her red cheek. "Edward?"
"I wasn't sure if naming him after your father would hurt anyone. I got the closest name I could without treading on any eggshells. "I call him Neddy."
Sansa bit back a sob, her body shaking as she tried not to attack the woman in front of her.
"Tell him..." Was all she could get out. She began to sob, her heart hurting her as it broke. "He deserves to know... He... He's heir to our inheritance..." She trailed off. "Is that why-"
"No! I don't want your money. My family's got castles, I tell ya! I don't need your poxy old money wealth and neither does my little boy." Ygritte felt insulted. "I knew you'd ask if I want that. I don't need it, Neddy doesn't either."
There was a knock on the door and Sansa stood up, wiping her tears before opening it.
"Jon..." She gasped.
"Sans? Why are you crying?" Jon asked, hugging her.
She let go and turned to Ygritte. "Come in, there's something you need to know."
Jon entered in the room, his attention on Ygritte who was wiping her own tears and clearing the wine up. Turning his gaze onto his sister, he noticed the red bruise on her cheek.
"Sansa, who hurt you?"
"I-I did," Ygritte mumbled. "I'm sorry, I was upset."
"What the fuck is happening here?" Jon asked. "Do you want me to get her out of here?" He asked his sister protectively.
Sansa shook her head, crossing her arms. "Tell him or I will." She ordered Ygritte.
Jon frowned. "Tell me what?"
Ygritte's heart fluttered and she lifted her head up to meet his inquisitive eyes. "Jonny..., you're a daddy to our little boy, Edward."
...
"Jon! Please!" Sansa begged.
She could hear heels behind her as she tried to keep up with Jon.
"Where is he?!" Jon screamed behind him.
"My dad's but we can talk this through-" Ygritte tried.
"Why?! What's the point? You..." He shook his head and stopped, breathing heavily. "I've never hated you more than I do right now."
Ygritte refused to let her tears fall as she hung her head. Sansa, on the other hand, let her tears flow freely, trying to coax him back inside with her arms around his shoulder and waist.
"We can talk about this. Let's go back inside, alright?"
Jon shook his head and gently pushed her away. "I... I can't do this anymore."
"Don't say that!" Sansa cried. "We need us, I need you. Edward - he needs you!"
"He doesn't even know I exist! I-I need to go. Let me go-"
"I swear to God, Jon. I'm not letting you go! I'd die the day I let you go!"
Sansa wrapped her arm around his waist, preventing him from going as she forced him to look at her.
"You're going to get through this. You were there for me so I'm here for you." She turned around to face Ygritte. "You are going to get that little boy and he is going to meet his dad. If you don't, we won't waste time calling our lawyers."
Ygritte turned away, nodding. "Tomorrow at 11 AM good for you?"
"Perfect," said Sansa. "I'd like you to leave now." She tilted her head towards Jon. "And you upstairs."
Jon raised an eyebrow, shocked at being ordered around by his younger sister but he obliged, she was sure as hell not letting him go to do anything stupid like blank them for a whole night again.
Sansa fully turned herself to face Ygritte, ignoring the light hail that began to fall in the dark cold of the evening.
"Why?"
Ygritte faltered. "I thought I'd lost Jon forever so I kept the one last bit I had of him. Why's that so bad?"
"Because he wouldn't get to know his dad, he was going to grow up resenting him for something out of his control, your decisions and choices!" Sansa cried out. "We've been through so much - you knew that-"
"That's why I wanted to wait until I told-"
"No." Sansa shook her head. "Our parents, our brothers... They died, Ygritte. You wouldn't have known if Neddy would help us grieve or-or if he could have been the thing to help Jon through this."
Ygritte hung her head, wiping her tears. "I can't apologise more than I have been doing. I'm selfish, always have been from the moment that my mother died. Jon was my beautiful disaster and no matter what, I'll still love him."
"He had a breakdown."
"I know!" Ygritte breathed out. "That's Jon through and through. It's always about the rest of us and never him."
"He looked after us from that day. He never once stopped to put himself first and his mental health deteriorated because of that." Sansa sighed. "I don't know where we'd all go from here because I-I don't know what to say anymore. I just pray to God that we're all going to get through this." She shivered, realising that she was only wearing a light knitted sweater and her bunny slippers.
Ygritte's face softened. "I really wanted to get to know you guys better, so I could gently introduce him to you. I want my baby to know his father and your family. I never wanted to hurt any of you. I'm selfish but I do care."
Sansa nodded. "Tomorrow at eleven then."
"Tomorrow at eleven," confirmed Ygritte.
...
Jon paced around the room as Sansa patiently waited on the sofa, double checking if the snacks on the coffee table were okay.
She had decided that the manor would be convenient since she knew Daenerys wouldn't want a screaming child waking her up and the flat was too small especially since Bran and Osha were beginning his homeschool routine with a private tutor.
"You'll wear the carpet out. Sit, Jon."
Jon sighed, rubbing a hand through his raven locks as he took a seat in front of Sansa. "Apple juice?"
"I know you don't like it which I still think that's weird but we don't have any orange juice at home for you to have," Sansa said.
They hadn't had the time to shop for groceries since most of the food and drinks were being prepared for Arya's birthday party two days away.
"I feel sick."
"That would be the first time," Sansa said lightly. "You'll be fine." She checked her watch. "It's ten to eleven."
"Where is she?" Jon asked, fixing his tie.
"This is a baby, Jon. Why are you wearing a suit again?" Sansa chuckled. "Take the tie off."
"I want to make a good impression."
"The only impression you'd make is him throwing up on you and yanking that tie to strangle you." Sansa smiled, standing up and taking his tie off for him. "You'll be fine," she said, placing a hand on his cheek. "You remind me of Dad."
Jon started laughing. "God, I remember when we brought you home. Dad had everything gated off and Robb and I would always open them up again to annoy him. He never got mad though, just closed the baby gates up again. He was worried you'd run off but you were a newborn, you didn't know what your legs were."
Sansa chuckled, sitting beside him. "What was he like then?"
"Exactly the same. He was always fretting when it came to us. Your mum was always calm and collected but he made sure that he was there for us."
"He never missed any of my Ballet recitals or my Netball matches. I don't think he missed any of our events."
"I never wanted children, you know?" Jon said. "Nor did I want to be married let alone in a long-term relationship."
She frowned. "But-"
"It was before. When we were teenagers. Then one day, I want six kids, marriage, the whole lot..." He chuckled. "I guess I'm on my way there."
"Why didn't you want kids?"
Jon shrugged. "Because my mum killed herself? Because my stepmother hated my guts? Because I didn't feel valued. Even though Dad never treated us differently, you could tell that I didn't belong here." He looked around, taking a deep breath in. "This wasn't meant to be my life. I felt like an intruder, the odd one out. I got picked on for not having a mum, for being too different than the rest of you. Theon and Robb may have been mates but that didn't stop him from bullying me behind Robb's back."
"I never knew your mum killed herself... I'm so sorry." Sansa whispered. "But Jon you did belong with us. Don't get me wrong, Robb was an amazing big brother but I feel that I was closer to you because... you didn't have to go through something to get it. When Ramsay abused me, you looked as if you were feeling what I was feeling. I remember you just observing the rest of us, your empathy levels were on point."
Jon gave her a small smile. "Thanks," he said.
"I need to take Arya shopping for tomorrow and Saturday," she remembered. "We couldn't go yesterday."
"Sorry about that."
"No. Don't apologise. We wouldn't be here, right?" She smiled, glancing outside to where Hodor was playing with Ghost. "At least your other little boy's okay."
"Ghost's not so little anymore," frowned Jon. "I'm not ready for him to go just yet."
Sansa's eyes watered. "I know, Jon..." She sighed. "But he's lived a good life."
The doorbell rang and they both stood up as Mr Dondarrion entered with Ygritte holding a small child in her arms. He gave them a firm nod and left.
"Uh, Jon, meet Edward. Neddy," Ygritte glanced down to her curious baby. "Meet Daddy."
She hesitantly handed him into Sansa's waiting arms as they both realised that Jon wasn't ready to take him.
"Hi, there," Sansa cooed. "I'm your auntie. Yes, I'm Auntie Sansa!" She grinned, kissing his dark locks. "You're so handsome. He looks just like Dad, Jon!"
Jon looked at the child. He'd be damned, the little guy looked like him and his father but with Jon's dark hair. "He's gorgeous," he managed to say.
Ygritte sat down, placing the nappy bag beside her. She looked up at them and smiled. "You're a natural, Sansa."
Sansa blushed. "Having younger siblings helped. Thank you for bringing him and allowing him to know us."
"We can put the past behind us and focus on Neddy's future," replied Ygritte. "Uh, he has my surname. My da insisted because well, we weren't together... You're on the birth certificate though. I don't know what's going to happen now that you're Lord of Winterfell and you're taking on the family name..."
"He should be a Stark, shouldn't he?" Sansa asked her brother. "He looks like a through and through Stark, don't you Eddie?"
Ygritte frowned. "He responds to Neddy."
"I know but his family from his daddy's side should have a nickname for him. What do you want to call him, Jon?"
Jon shrugged but he held his arms out. "Can I...?"
"Oh, yes!" Sansa grinned, happy that he was making progress.
"He's your son," added Ygritte. "Do you have any wine?" She asked, watching Sansa hand over Neddy to a hesitant Jon.
Sansa nodded. "I'll grab you a bottle and a glass. Give you guys a chance to be a family."
She left and smiling at Jon running his fingers through the child's thick hair.
"You got a lot of hair, don't you?" He asked almost quietly. "My dad said I had a lot of hair when I was born." He placed a kiss on the child's forehead, closing his eyes as he inhaled his scent. He smelt just like a baby with a hint of Ygritte's perfume.
"You look great, a natural dad." Ygritte smiled softly.
He gave her a polite smile and sat down with Neddy on his knees. "We have toys from when we were kids, they were going to Robb's kid but..." He trailed off. "We have a rocking horse that our dad built himself. It's mine - Dad built each of us one."
"He can try it," smiled Ygritte. "Your dad seems like he was an amazing person. I'm sorry he's not here as well as your step-mum and brothers."
"I need to tell you something." Jon sighed.
Ygritte nodded. "Okay. Tell me."
"My dad treated your mum the day she died. There was nothing he could do, her heart gave out. That's why your dad hates us. Did you tell him about us, about me being...?"
Ygritte blinked slowly, turning to face Sansa as she walked in.
"I got you a bottle of red. I'll have to leave soon if I don't want to be stuck in traffic picking Arya up." Sansa smiled, pouring Ygritte a glass. "How's everything going?"
Tears fell down Ygritte's cheeks and she hastily wiped them. "Great!"
"Okay, what did you guys do? Why are you crying? Jon?"
"I didn't blame anyone for my mum dying, Jonny. She wasn't a good mum. I acted out, sure but I never cared about not having her in my life but I did promise that I'd be there for my kids." Ygritte swallowed deeply. "It wasn't your father's fault. If it was, would I willingly name our son after him? I'm just glad he tried to save her. If she lived, maybe she'd be a better mum."
Jon gave her a sad smile. "Does he know that Edward's mine?"
She nodded. "He was surprised to see the birth certificate. I'm surprised he still looks after him anyway. Doesn't want to lose me, I guess."
Neddy let out a cry and Jon's eyes widened. "Oh, he's..."
"Done a dump?" Ygritte finished. "Let me-"
"No, let me." Sansa beamed. "I've had practice, especially with Little Sammy." She took him, excitement in her actions as she talked to the little boy.
"She would have been great with Robb's kid..." Jon sighed, watching them leave.
"How old would they have been now?" Ygritte asked quietly.
Jon sighed. "She was six months pregnant, my sister-in-law I mean. Their kid would have been a year old. Fifteen months maybe?"
"I can't tell you how much I'm sorry for everything again. They didn't deserve to die, none of them did. They were good people."
Jon smiled gratefully. "Thank you. They're buried in the gardens, you know? By my late aunt and grandparents and great-grandparents..."
"That's why I love this family because you're just that. All about family and I'm glad Neddy's a part of it. I can't give you all the lost time with him but I can give you the time from now on to be there for him."
"Do you want to take a walk around the gardens? I think Sansa's more excited to have Neddy here than I'm supposed to be. It's not that I don't want to get to know him - I'm scared."
Ygritte stood up and walked over to the back door, Jon following as they exited and fell into step with each other easily.
"Why are you scared? I think you're just as scared as I was when I realised I was doing it alone." Ygritte sighed.
Jon shrugged. "You know that I've never had my mum in my life and hearing of her demise, it makes me think. Also, I think about my big brother every day. He was my best friend, we were described as twins as well so there's no shock that I was heartbroken when he's suddenly not here with me. We did everything together; Medical school, football, rugby even though I didn't like it... So, thinking about Robb makes me think about his kid. Knowing him, I'd be named godfather." He smiled to himself.
"I know it's hard. A life cut so short let alone a little babe..." Ygritte said.
"I know everyone thought of me as some posh, over-privileged prick so it would be horrible to complain that my childhood was shitty." He sighed. "I wasn't happy. I know my dad did everything he could to make life amazing for me but I can't help but feel like it wasn't. Underneath the money, the expensive education, the luxury job, I was a mess."
Ygritte held her breath. "Are you talking about your breakdown?"
Jon nodded. "I used to have them when I was growing up. No one knew except Robb. He could always make me feel better. He protected me." He smiled as they stopped in front of Robb's grave. "Had one the day I left for boarding school. Robb got upset that he wasn't going to be able to follow me, to be there for me so he slipped a secret phone into my suitcase and sewed it up so no one would know about it. I also had one when we both studied hard for our Med exam and it turned out I did very shitty and he got the top marks. I felt like I wasn't cut out for it but he helped me through it. I wouldn't be a doctor if it wasn't for him."
"Hell, where was he when I decided to leave and become a model?" Ygritte joked. "Maybe my father would tolerate me more. Thinks I should go back to Ireland to be straightened out by my grandparents."
"I want to try again. With Edward. I promise to be the best father I can to him," he said.
She smiled. "That's all I want. Why don't you and I go to Ireland with Neddy? Give you a break. You look like you need it and it will give you the chance to know him better."
Jon raised an eyebrow. "You do know we're never getting back together, right?"
"I know. You're with blondie now. Neddy's going to have to grow up in two households but at least we are civil to each other. We loved each other once, otherwise, we wouldn't have had him. He needs both of us. Together or not, he needs us."
"Yeah, we'll go."
Ygritte smiled, hugging him tightly. "We'll go on Sunday." She placed a kiss on his cheek before hugging him again, breathing in his cologne. "You still smell the same..." She mumbled, closing her eyes.
"Hey," they heard.
Breaking apart, Jon blushed as he saw his sister holding Neddy in her arms, the child almost asleep.
"I have to pick Arya up. I'll bring her, Bran and Osha here so we can go shopping for her birthday," Sansa said, handing Neddy to Jon. "He's really beautiful, Jon. I'm happy for you." She smiled
Returning the smile, he replied with, "Thanks. For everything."
"What are sisters for?" Sansa asked.
She walked away and when she got to the door, she turned, smiling at Jon and Ygritte looking over Edward as he fell asleep.
"Robb would have been so proud," she said to herself before finally going.
...
"You and Jon were being really secretive. What's up?" Arya asked, eating her ice cream.
Sansa shrugged. "He doesn't want you guys to know when he speaks with his therapist. I'm trying to know what they talk about. He's not budging," she lied easily.
Arya nodded. "That's Jon alright. Don't worry. If he wants to keep that to himself, it's fine. As long as we're all together."
"Yeah," said Sansa, eating her own ice cream. "I don't want to worry about him but I do. I worry about you and Bran too. Can't help it."
"Okay, Mother Goose!" Arya giggled. "Right, what shops should we try? I want to look like the Belle of the Ball for one day only. Can we also get something for the club? My midriff's really toned and Gendry will be there."
"Okay, something sexy and showy," grinned Sansa. "But we'll get you a cardigan - you know how Jon will get if he sees his little sister dressed provocatively."
Arya rolled her eyes. "He's not our dad."
"I know but he's the only male figure we've got and he is the head of the family now." Sansa sighed. "Uh, let's go. We're picking Bran and Osha up later. We're officially moving home today."
Arya grinned. "Forever 21?"
"I wish!" Joked Sansa. "No, let's go to Zara. There are some nice things on sale. Maybe H&M."
The girls stood up, linking their arms together as they went into the first store.
"Get whatever you want. My treat. Jon's also put in some money for new shoes." Sansa winked at her sister.
Arya went wild, trying on many outfits and shoes as Sansa took photo after photo, proudly judging each outfit.
"Red looks good on you, just saying!"
"Is that the theme of my birthday?" Arya asked the redhead.
Sansa shrugged. "Or silver!"
"I'll try on red and silver outfits then. Aren't you wearing yellow though?"
"Red is your favourite colour, I just thought you'd like to wear that colour. It looks very sexy on you too but maybe you'd like to wear silver tomorrow," said Sansa.
Blushing, Arya disappeared into the dressing room to try on more outfits.
The redhead turned her attention to her phone when a photo came through from Ygritte. It was Edward lying down on Jon's chest and her brother smiling down at the child.
They'd have to tell Arya and Bran sometime. And soon.
Sansa stared at the photo. She thought of what Robb's child would have looked like.
His wife was brunette and he was ginger like her and their mother so would their child look somewhat like Edward as Neddy's mother was ginger too?
What would her own children look like if she became very serious with Loras? Blonde with green eyes or ginger with blue eyes?
"Why... why is Jon holding a baby?"
Sansa slowly looked up, her eyes wide. "Uh..."
"Sansa..." Arya warned. "Before you lie, think about who you're talking to. I'm closer to Jon than you are to him. Lately, it's been you guys all in cahoots. What is going on?"
Sansa sighed. "Choose what you want, I'll pay and I'll tell you all when we get home. So, if you want to know, you better hurry up."
Intrigued, Arya hurried in choosing her outfits, settling on a red crop top and black with white polka dotted three quarter length trousers as well as a silver blazer and matching skirt with a black crop top. Her chosen heels were black block heels and silver knee-high boots.
When they got home to the manor, Osha and Sansa helped Bran into his wheelchair before the former wheeled him in.
"It's good to be home," said Arya with a hint of a smile on her face. She turned to Beric who took her shopping along with Sansa's upstairs to their rooms.
Bran nodded. "Where's Jon?" He asked.
"Through here!" They heard Jon say.
The three siblings entered the living room where Edward was playing on the carpet.
"That is a baby," Arya stated.
"It is a baby indeed," chuckled Jon.
Sansa frowned. "Where's...?"
"She went home. She'll be back in an hour," Jon said, picking Edward up. "Arya, Bran, this is Edward."
"Who is Edward?" Bran asked.
Jon and Sansa shared a look, the redhead telling him to answer their question with her eyes.
"Edward is your nephew..." Jon trailed off, placing a kiss onto Neddy's forehead as he picked him up.
"N-Nephew?" Arya whispered. "Since when? How? What?"
"Arya, sit down."
Arya sat down as Sansa pushed Bran's wheelchair closer to their brother and the baby.
"Remember I told you what I was doing the day..." Jon trailed off, glancing at Arya.
Arya nodded. "Yeah."
"Well, that resulted in this little guy here." He smiled, bouncing Neddy up and down slightly.
"Well, I'll be fuc-"
"Don't swear!" Bran yelled out.
Arya's eyes widened. "Oh my God, then!" She shook her head in disbelief. "So, Ygritte's the mum?"
Jon nodded. "I-I know what you're thinking but we're going to make this co-parenting thing work. I've just met him today but I'd die for him, do anything for him."
"You're really a father."
"Still can't believe it, Ary. On Sunday, Ygritte and I are taking Neddy to Ireland to see her grandparents."
Sansa frowned. "But... I know you're off work but what about us? What about the manor? How long are you-"
"Just a week. I'll be back on Friday." Jon assured her. "Just because I'm a dad now doesn't mean I'll forget about you guys. You guys are my priority too."
"What about Dany?" Sansa asked. "How are you going to tell her about this?"
Jon sighed. "I-I haven't thought that far."
"Can we speak in the kitchen, please? I'm sure Arya and Bran would love to get to know their new nephew," said Sansa.
Jon nodded, handing Neddy to Arya who stared at the child in shock, sharing glances with Bran.
"He looks like Dad," Bran said.
Arya nodded, watching their older siblings leave the room. "Yeah, he does."
In the kitchen, Sansa poured herself a glass of water. "Dany and I speak a lot, we've grown close as friends."
Jon gave her a small smile. "I'm glad you guys are getting along."
"Yeah," she said. "She told me about something that happened to her a while ago but what I know from that, she wants to have children, Jon."
"Okay...-"
"With you. She wants to get married and have kids with you." Sansa finished.
Jon faltered. "We've only been together for three months... I haven't thought that far about marriage and kids other than I want it to happen someday. I'm not as sure about all that stuff as Robb was." He took a deep breath in and released it. "I-I don't know what..."
Sansa sipped her water. "You and Dany need to talk and see where you're at. Now, you've got Neddy... You need to reevaluate things." She bit her lip. "You really need to talk to Dany. It isn't my place to say anything."
"Why? What else did she say?" He asked.
"I can't say-"
"Come on, you've meddled in our lives so much. Tell me."
Sansa sighed. "Well, let's just say that I wasn't the only one who has been married before. You didn't hear that from me."
Jon's eyes widened. "Are-are you sure?"
"Yes. We traded marriage stories. Both were tragic." Sansa pursed her lips, trying to forget the past. "We've both moved on, met amazing guys... Jon, she seems like the real deal to me. You always said that if a girl gets both of your sisters' approval. She has mine and she'll have Arya's eventually."
"Okay, from now, you leave my love life alone. I love you and I know you're trying to help but I've got it from here."
Sansa nodded. "Okay. It's just that... you and Robb always protected me from guys, especially Ramsay so, I feel like I should help you too."
"I think I'm good."
"You sure? You haven't had much relationship experience. I mean, Ygritte's one and Dany is the other one. When-"
"I'm done here," smiled Jon. "I think we should go back and check on Arya to see if she hasn't somehow killed my son yet."
Sansa watched him leave, deciding to switch her water for some red wine instead. She was only trying to help but she knew that she sometimes came on too overbearing but she couldn't help it. The need to control things, people ever since what happened to her.
She just had to work on herself.
...
"Dinner later on?"
Daenerys raised an eyebrow. "I work hours upon hours, you're on sick leave and you're asking for a late dinner?"
Jon grinned. "Come on. There are some things we need to talk about."
"Is it important?"
"Very. Life-changing," he said.
Daenerys nodded. "I have a night shift remember?"
"Ah, shit. Any chance we can have dinner before we go clubbing tomorrow then?" He asked.
"I'll be awake by five in the evening. Sansa said we have to be ready to party by half seven."
"Come to the manor. I'll have Beric cook for us in one of the private dining rooms. What wine would you want?"
Dany blushed. "Your sister said something about 'Riverrun'?"
"Vintage. Like my stepmother was," he joked. "Yeah, sure. See you." He gave her a kiss and left.
A phone beeped and Dany glanced down at her phone. A text from Sansa lit up the screen and she found herself biting her lip nervously as she stared after Jon's retreating form.
...
Daenerys smiled brightly, taking a sip from her Riverrun wine.
"Where are the girls and Bran?" She asked.
"Bran's staying with some family friends," said Jon. "Sansa and Arya are upstairs getting ready. Well, Sans is. Arya's with her fencing instructor."
Her eyebrows raised. "On her birthday? Wow. I got her a gift by the way. It's in my car."
Jon smiled. "You shouldn't have. I don't think she wanted anything for her birthday. Except for a phone."
Dany chuckled. "Did she get that?"
"I'll give it to her tomorrow. How's the steak?"
"Lovely," she replied. "Very well done. Thank you."
"No worries." He smiled. "So, as I said - there is something you should know. I only found out two days ago but-"
"Are you sick?" She asked, eyes wide.
He quickly shook his head. "No! Not sick, not anything like that. No... I..."
She placed a hand on his and stroked it. "You can tell me." Her heart beat loudly in her ears. She'd have to tell him her own truth.
Jon's hand responded, turning so his palm rested on hers. He slipped their fingers through each other's and smiled at her.
"I'm a dad."
Dany's hand slacked and she stared at him, tears prickling the sides of her eyes.
"You... you... while we were together you..."
His own eyes widened. "No! Dany, no. I never cheated on you," he said, holding her hand tightly. "It's actually sort of crazy, the story..."
"What is it, then?"
"Remember the crazy ex-girlfriend? Well, I was with her the night my family died. A month later, she finds out she's pregnant. A year and a half later, she tells me that we've got a nine-month-old son."
Dany's mouth opened. "Wow..." She breathed out. "Wow. That redhead we saw at the club... She's a mum?"
Jon laughed. "You wouldn't believe, no." He sipped his wine. "I was so mad at her, I don't know what I was feeling but I couldn't stop thinking about Robb..."
"And his baby?" Dany asked softly. "I'm so sorry."
"It's fine. I'm getting through that."
"It's not easy losing a loved one, especially when you were so close."
"We were practically twins," he replied. "Anyway, I've met my son. He's wonderful. I'd like you to meet him."
Daenerys blushed. "I'd love to," she smiled before sighing heavily. "I know Sansa told you about me being married before."
Jon nodded. "Can't put that big detail off forever," he joked lightly. "Oh and I've told her to stop meddling."
"She's fine," chuckled Dany. "Anyway, you might be shocked about what I'm about to say. I won't blame you if we break up or anything. We're only three months into this, I didn't expect to tell you until we were serious at a year or something."
"Okay. But you do know, nothing can scare me off so easily. Hey, I've magically become a father!"
Dany smiled. "Yeah. Here it goes. I was married. At nineteen, I was married and had a baby."
"Had?" Jon whispered.
"Our baby died from meningitis. Our marriage fell apart and it hurt so bad because we loved each other very much." She wiped a few tears from her cheeks. "My brother, he's an addict. Drugs, alcohol, you name it. He had money troubles, came to us." She looked away, her voice breaking. "My husband went to help him out but he got beaten to death. My brother still comes in and out of my life. He hits me sometimes but I let it go because he's all I have-"
"I'm so sorry," whispered Jon. "You can't allow him back into your life every time. He doesn't deserve a sister like you. When Sansa..." He stopped himself.
"I know, she told me about Ramsay."
Jon sighed. "When Sansa was being abused in her marriage, she'd convince herself that it was okay for him to treat her like shit, to use her, to claim her. It made me sick for weeks that my little sister wasn't strong enough to defend herself. Someone who I know is strong. She's just like her mum but yet, she wasn't strong when it came to that arsehole. He nearly killed her and I swear to God, I would have killed him for what he did to her. You shouldn't take any shit from any man, let alone anyone. You're strong, Dany... I don't think I'd be able to go through what you did and survive. I'm sorry for your losses. You were young and you had your life torn apart in the most terrible way ever."
Dany began to sob. "Why are you being so kind?"
"I'm being honest, Dany."
"Sansa's lucky to have a brother like you-" She whispered.
"You're lucky to have a boyfriend like me. Because I'm yours no matter what. You know what?"
Dany watched as he stood up and headed towards the fireplace, opening a small box on top of the mantle and collecting a small box from it. He returned to the table and opened the box.
"My aunt's ring," he said. "Daenerys, will you marry me?"