Thanks for reading & reviewing. I never get tired of receiving your feedback on the story and hearing what you would like to see happen. I may not include everything and it may take a while to include your requests, but you never know…there's still a lot of ground to cover.

In this chapter, we're still on the first night at the Rock, with everyone settling in and getting their bearings in the Lannister stronghold…

….

Chapter 36

Jaime kept his arm around Sansa as they watched the silent sisters place Lord Tywin's bones inside the crypt where his mother already rested. Each former Lord of Casterly Rock shared a crypt with his Lady Wife and with his children, when they died in childhood. The darkness and the dank smell reminded Jaime of his imprisonment in Riverrun. Jaime barely heard the Septon of Lannisport as he blessed both sets of bones before four of Jaime's soldiers moved the heavy marble slab back to cover his parents' remains forever.

Jaime still found it difficult to believe that his father was actually dead. Tywin Lannister had been an immortal figure in Jaime's life. When he was a child, he had both loved and feared his father. He supposed that had not changed when he became an adult. Though Lord Tywin was a hard man – and difficult to love – Jaime did love him. He had cared about his father's opinion and wanted his respect. He supposed he should take comfort in the fact that he had finally pleased his father before he died – by marrying Sansa and taking his place as heir to the Rock.

He continued staring at the marble slab, feeling Sansa's hand resting on his chest, as he remembered when his mother died. Jaime didn't remember much about Lady Joanna. He remembered her smile, her gentle touch and her laugh. He remembered her glittering green eyes, which he saw whenever he looked in the mirror. Or looked in his twin's eyes. He remembered sitting on his mother's lap in her sitting room as she held his tiny hand against her belly, letting him feel Tyrion kick. He had been so excited about becoming a big brother. He recalled that Cersei had been largely indifferent – even at that age she only enjoyed the company of Jaime and their parents.

Jaime remembered when his mother died. He and Cersei had sat outside his mother's bedchamber for hours and hours, praying as they listened to her scream in pain and watching the servants carry out sheets covered in blood. Then the screams stopped and it was just quiet. Jaime remembered his father and Lady Alys going into his mother's chamber and coming out with fear in their eyes. Jaime had cried and cried when his father finally told them their mother was dead. And Lord Tywin had told him that he was never to cry again. He said that tears were a sign of weakness and no Lannister man was to be weak. Certainly not the heir to Casterly Rock.

He was brought back to the present at the sound of Sansa asking that they be left alone. Jaime watched as the silent sisters, the septon and his soldier quietly left the crypt, so only he and Sansa were standing beside his parents' resting place. He felt her hand rubbing over his chest in soft circles as he held her against his side.

"Do you wish to say something or…" she asked quietly.

He shook his head. "I know I should say a prayer for them but…I've not prayed since she my mother died. I don't know how anymore. And I suppose it's blasphemous to pray when you don't believe it."

Sansa stepped toward the steps of the crypt where flowers and other offerings were laid. She knelt down and looked at him expectantly, holding her hand out to him. He knelt beside her, holding her hand as Sansa bowed her head.

He listened as she prayed to the Mother to look over Lady Joanna. She prayed that his mother rested in peace, and that she would watch over and protect the babe growing inside her. He listened as Sansa prayed to the Stranger that his father and mother find one another in the afterlife. And that his father would finally have peace knowing that Jaime was Lord of the Rock and that his heir would be born soon.

Jaime looked at her in wonder, not knowing how she could pray for anything of the sort for a man who had caused such destruction to her family. Sansa looked up and met his eyes, a gentle smile on her face. "Help me up? It's starting to be a bit of a challenge."

Jaime smirked, and stood, lifting her to her feet.

"Are you all right?" she asked softly.

He nodded, offering her his arm and leading her out of the crypts. "How could you say those things? How could you pray for my father like that after all he's done?"

"Lord Tywin is the reason we are married. If it weren't for him we would never have fallen in love. And we would not have made this baby. For that alone, I will always be grateful to him." She's such a sweet, perfect angel. Sansa leaned against him as they climbed the stairs and walked through the halls of Casterly Rock. "What was it like growing up here?"

He knew that she must be thinking about their child growing up in the enormous castle. He smiled sadly, covering her small hand with his own. "After my mother died…my father spent most of his time in King's Landing. He was Hand of the King before I was even born, but after she died he threw himself into his work even more and rarely came here. He loved my mother very much and...I expect it was difficult for him to be here without her."

"So who took care of you?"

He shrugged. "There were servants to feed us and make sure we have clean clothes but…we mostly took care of ourselves. Sometimes, father would take us to Kings Landing, and Lady Alys and her husband were here but, they weren't expected to care for us. Lady Alys tried. She was close to my mother but…Cersei pushed her away and out of solidarity, I resisted her efforts to mother me. Maester Merlon was here, essentially running the castle in my father's absence. And Lady Genna would come for a month every now and then but, mostly, we were on our own."

"Is that why you're so unruly?" she asked with a smile.

He smirked back at her. "Perhaps it is." Perhaps it's why I don't know how to let someone take care of me. "But our little lion will be taken care of by the both of us. This child will be well-cared for and well-loved, Sansa. Though, perhaps just as unruly."

She smiled and leaned against him. "And now, you'll be well cared for here, too."

He met her eyes and smiled. "You're the one who will need taking care of for a while," he said, gesturing toward her belly. She wore a cape now, otherwise her protruding stomach would be quite obvious. Jaime had finally written to King's Landing a few days earlier announcing that the heir to Casterly Rock would be born less than four moons hence. Jaime had written to Tommen, his King, though he knew Cersei would read the letter. He'd not received any response as of yet. He couldn't help wondering what Cersei would feel when she learned that Sansa carried his child.

"It must have been difficult, to grow up without a mother," she said quietly.

Jaime thought about it. "Yes. I don't know any different but…I expect my life would have been quite changed if my mother had lived."

"Do you think you and…the queen would have had a different relationship?" she whispered, unable to look at him as she spoke the words.

Jaime had often wondered that same thing. He'd been such a little boy when Lady Joanna had died. His father was many things but warm was not one of them. The only female affection, the only comfort he received, was from Cersei. He supposed being motherless left him more receptive to her charms. "I don't know," was all he said as they continued walking. "I know my mother would not have wanted the Kingsguard for me. She would have wanted me to marry, to have children…to take my place as Lord of the Rock. I expect she would be quite happy with the turn my life has taken since you. She'd be happy to know you."

Sansa smiled sadly. "It's important to have a mother," she whispered. He knew she was thinking about how she'd lost the affections of her own mother. She must have questions about her pregnancy or childbirth that she would wish to speak to her mother about. She'd not said anything at the time, but he knew she'd had questions before their wedding night – questions about sex – that she'd been too embarrassed to ask him. Questions that she would have asked her mother, had she been around. "Roslin doesn't have her mother or the father of her child to talk to. Why won't my uncle at least see her?"

"I don't know. He may feel guilty that he was bedding her while your brother died."

"She's so sad," Sansa murmured, holding his arm. "I'm glad that I have you Jaime. I'm glad that you love me. I'd be so afraid to have this child alone. Without you."

He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "I'll stay with you the whole time, when the babe comes."

"Promise?"

"Of course, I promise. I pity the person who tries to keep me out of the birthing chamber."

…..

Jaime had a quiet dinner alone with Sansa before sending her back to their chambers, with the promise to join her shortly. He wanted to be sure that Lord Tully and Lady Catelyn had settled into the section of the castle he had set aside for the hostages. Lady Catelyn, Edmure & Arya were in the sitting room nearest their own bedchambers, with several guards ensuring that they remained in that section of Casterly Rock that Jaime had designated for their living quarters. Arya was the only one he would allow to venture out to see Sansa.

Lady Roslin had asked to eat alone in her bedchamber, declining an invitation to dine with Jaime and Sansa. He could scarce blame her, with the way Edmure had ignored her existence for the past week.

Jaime stood in the doorway of their sitting room and saw that Arya was poking into the fire with her little sword. He watched Lady Catelyn's eyes narrow when she observed his appearance, though she didn't address him.

"Where's Gendry?" Arya asked when she noticed his appearance. "And when may I explore the Rock?" He could see that she was annoyed to be kept in the main living areas.

"Your friend's chamber is down near the forge. I can have you shown the way there tomorrow." That seemed to satisfy her and she turned her attention back to the fire. "Lord Tully, may I have word with you privately?"

Edmure reluctantly followed Jaime into the hallway. "Are you ever planning to speak to your lady wife? Or was this some sort of punishment for her, taking her from the Twins – away from her family - and then ignoring her?" He could see that Lord Tully had not expected this to be the topic of conversation and was at a loss for words.

"I - I did not intend to hurt Lady Roslin by bringing her here. Would you expect me to leave the child she carries – my child - to Walder Frey?"

"So you wish her here only until she births? Then what? Do you think I will take the child away from her?"

"That's not what I wish."

"Then what do you wish for? I'm responsible for her – she's not a hostage, she is my guest. And your refusal to speak to her upsets her. More importantly, it upsets my lady wife. They've formed something of a friendship. If nothing else, I suppose they have being ignored by Tully's in common. And Sansa would see you treat your wife kindly. Sansa would never bring it up to you, she's far too well-mannered. But I'm not."

"I may be your prisoner, Kingslayer but you can't dictate my relationship with my wife." Jaime merely glared at the man in annoyance and saw the moment he broke, pain taking over his anger. "I've not even seen Roslin since I was pulled from our marriage bed and dragged, naked, to the great hall to see my King's mutilated body. Walder Frey took great pleasure in making sure I knew Robb was killed as I fucked his daughter. And that she knew it was happening."

Jaime sighed. "If you can't forgive her, then you should have left her at the Twins. And if you can, then you best pull yourself together, act like a man and forgive her now. Yes, the Red Wedding was a horror, but there's nothing that can be done to change it now. And if you honestly think that a scared teenage girl would have been able to thwart Walder Frey's plan, you're a bigger fool than I ever dreamed."

Edmure turned from Jaime in anger and proceeded into his bedchamber. Hopefully the idiot will realize that he's acting a fool and go to his wife. Jaime sighed and turned to make his way back to his and Sansa's suite of rooms.

"Kingslayer!"

He considered ignoring Lady Stark, but he turned and regarded her with a raised eyebrow. "What can I do for you, Mother Stark?" He could scarce hold back his laughter at her expression. He knew that he shouldn't taunt her over his marriage to Sansa, but he couldn't resist.

"How long do you plan to keep us here?"

"I don't know. How long did your husband hold Theon Greyjoy hostage? Eight years was it?" She glared at him silently. "As I've already told your brother, once the war ends, you could perhaps be granted a parole. But I don't expect Stannis Baratheon or Balon Greyjoy to go down easily. The Realm is in for a long war. And I'm afraid you are in for a long stay at the Rock." He turned his back on her once again.

"Where are you keeping Sansa?"

He was not surprised that she asked about her daughter. "She's quite comfortably settling into her new home," he said, turning to face her again. "And I will never again allow you to hurt my wife with your cruel words."

"You could end all of her suffering by giving her back to her family. She's been separated from me long enough."

"Oh, are you her family now? From what I understood, she was no longer your daughter."

Lady Stark had at least calmed down enough that she appeared to regret her words to Sansa. "Will you allow her to rejoin her family?"

"Are you asking to speak with her again?"

"I'm asking you to give her back to me." She looked down, emotion apparent on her face. "You can have the child she carries, when the time comes. You'll have your heir. Your claim to Winterfell. You don't need Sansa anymore."

"Do you think so little of Sansa that you cannot believe she'd be valued for more than her womb?"

"It's you that I think so little of."

Jaime supposed he shouldn't be surprised that Lady Stark refused to believe that he actually loved Sansa. He knew that she saw him as a monster. A part of the family that had killed her son and husband. She must know that he had fathered Cersei's children. He expected that Lady Stark believed him incapable of love. "You forget that Sansa loves me. She does not wish for us to be parted."

"She's still a child. She doesn't know what real love is. She sees a handsome knight who gives her pretty things. In time, she'll learn that there's much more to love and marriage. That life isn't a romantic song."

"I assure you, my lady, she's learned that all too well. It occurs to me that you only know the girl she was when she left Winterfell. She may have been a silly young girl then. I really don't know. I only know the woman she is now. She's a kind, generous wife. She has tremendous strength and bravery. There are many things about her to admire. She certainly is not a silly, frivolous girl who would give her heart to any man who gave her a pretty bauble. She values kindness and affection above any jewel I could give her. You do realize you are allowing your hatred for me to deprive you of knowing the woman Sansa has become."

It didn't appear as if Lady Catelyn had heard anything he said. She was still fixated on separating he and Sansa. "I own, it would hurt her at first. To be separated from you, but she'll get over it. It will be easier if you let her stay here with us now, in this part of the castle. It will be easier on her if you stop going to her bed and confusing her emotions. She'll come to see that the best thing will be to give you the babe and move on with her life."

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say any of that. And you are never to suggest to Sansa that she should give up being a mother to our child. Whatever you think, family is very important to her. She's looking forward to having her own family. To holding her child in her arms. And I won't let you ruin that for her."

"She can have other children."

Jaime shook his head at her in frustration, wondering if she realized how irrational she was being. "Tell me, Lady Catelyn, in your experience, are children so easily replaced?"

"No they're not. I mourn everyday for the three sons that I've lost." Her gaze hardened again. "Though, if you'd had your way, I suppose I'd have lost one of them much sooner. I believe if it were up to you, my son Bran would have died when he was pushed from that tower."

Jaime felt his heart drop as she brought up the Stark child's fall, though he was skilled enough at hiding his emotions that his face betrayed nothing. He had tried to tell Sansa about his most shameful act but, she had refused to hear it. She had insisted that she only cared about their future and about how he treated her. That she didn't care about the past. Jaime had wanted to try again to tell her what he'd done, but then he'd learned she was carrying his child. He became terrified of losing her and the chance to give his child a loving family, if she learned the truth. So, he had not made another attempt to confess his misdeeds to Sansa.

Now, he feared her mother would enlighten her about his role in her brother's accident in an attempt to separate them. Not that Lady Stark could possibly know for certain. Jaime would have thought she would let the issue drop after all the trouble her rash decision to take Tyrion prisoner had caused. It appeared he was wrong. "Try to enjoy your stay at the Rock, Lady Stark," he said, ignoring her questions. He turned on his heel, regretting his decision to liberate Lady Stark from Walder Frey's dungeon.

…..

Jaime was in a foul mood by the time he reached the large suite of rooms he shared with Sansa. Lady Catelyn's words had both angered and terrified him. He wasn't sure Sansa would ever forgive him if she learned what he had done to her brother. As Jaime walked the halls of the Rock alone he had allowed his mind to wander. Every room held memories of his childhood. Memories of Tyrion – the brother who now hated him and who he would likely never see again. And memories of Cersei. His twin. And his lover. It was as if Cersei were a ghost, trailing after him through the halls of Casterly Rock. It was the ghost of their relationship - and what he had done to protect that relationship - which now threatened his marriage. It was that ghost which could well kill Sansa's love for him.

He ripped open the door to his chamber and all but slammed it shut in anger, banging his fist against the door in frustration. He heard a gasp of fear from his bed and was surprised at the sight that greeted him as he looked around the room. There was a fire roaring in the fireplace, a score of candles burning on the mantle and his little wife was curled up on his bed. Sansa had clearly been waiting up for him.

"What's the matter?" she asked, her voice wavering in fear. Jaime met her bright blue eyes and felt his temper calm. He couldn't help being amused that after Lady Catelyn had asked him to let Sansa go – to stay out of her bed - he found her waiting for him in his. She was wearing a silky grey robe and, from the looks of it, nothing else. Her damp hair indicated that she had availed herself of the luxurious bath.

"I've had…it's been a trying day, sweet girl."

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I – I thought it would be all right if I waited here for you. You did say – "

He could see from her expression that she was embarrassed. She thinks that I don't want her here. That I'd rather be alone. He saw her move as if to leave and quickly wrapped his arm around her, keeping her on his bed. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Sansa." He kissed the top of her head and nuzzled against her neck. She smelled of lavender and pine. Jaime had asked his staff to procure some scents of the North for her and it appeared they had been successful. "You're just what I need to improve my mood."

He felt her relax. "So it's all right that I'm here?"

"You're always welcome in here," he murmured, his fingers absently twirling in her damp hair.

"Why are you so upset, my love?"

He sighed, not knowing what to say. He could see how much she wanted to make it better. He could see that his mood was also causing her distress. "It's...there are a lot of memories here. Of the past. Many that I would wish to forget."

She reached up and touched his cheek. "Perhaps we could make new memories here?" she offered quietly.

Jaime sat at the edge of the bed, just looking at her for a few moments, his heart pounding in his chest. I can't lose this sweet girl's love. I'm not the same man that I was before her. I'm not the same man who pushed the Stark child from that tower. Jaime knew he had changed. He knew that Sansa had changed him.

"I think that's a fine idea," he said, a soft smile on his lips. "Tell me, my lady…what can I do for you tonight? What memory would you like to make in here tonight?"

A blush rose on her cheeks. "I was hoping to sleep here with you…I don't think I'd be able to sleep without your arms around me."

"Just sleep?" he asked with a smirk, reaching over to run a finger over her ankle. "I think we can do better than that on your first night in our home." He leaned over and kissed her, closing his eyes briefly at the feel of her in his arms. He sat back and looked around the bedchamber. It was strange to him that his father's old chamber was now his own. He'd had nearly every surface changed, but it was still a bit unsettling. He looked over at Sansa. Her presence certainly alleviated any discomfort and made the room feel like his own. I will make new memories here at the Rock with her. This is our home. Jaime kissed her again before leaning over to unlace his boots.

She leaned back against the pillows and watched as Jaime took off his clothes, piece by piece, a smile playing at her lips. He could see the desire in her eyes and his anger was forgotten – replaced by arousal – by the time he removed his breeches. Her eyes roamed over his naked body as he climbed onto the bed. Jaime crawled towards her, leaning over and kissing her and inhaling her scent again. Sansa returned his kiss as her hands slid over his chest.

"You look so beautiful here, in our bed. I didn't think it possible, but you are even more beautiful with our child growing inside you." Jaime pulled at the tie on her robe, opening it up to see her swollen belly and breasts. He ran his hand over the roundness of her belly and leaned in, kissing her stomach. He knelt over her just looking at her belly as he ran his hand over it, thinking about his child growing inside of her. He glanced up and met her eyes, smiling as he kissed her stomach again, and continued kissing a path up her body, pulling her robe open further as he moved up her body. When Jaime reached her mouth, Sansa sat up from the bed to meet him, slipping the thin fabric from her shoulders and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Jaime slid his hands – golden and flesh – down her body, sliding them under her bottom and holding her against him as he continued kissing her. He lowered his mouth to her breasts, gently sucking one of her nipples into his mouth. He smiled at her sigh of pleasure. Sansa wrapped her legs around his waist as Jaime suckled on her breasts. Jaime reached back and gently unwrapped her legs from around him, and placed her back on the bed as he moved down her body, kissing her thigh.

He met her eyes and saw her watching him, her lips wet with anticipation as he began to kiss between her thighs, his hand massaging one of her breasts. "Does that feel good, Sansa?" he murmured against her. He felt her tugging at his hair and continued to kiss and lick her, wanting to bring her pleasure. She's had enough pain. She deserves a lifetime of pleasure.

"Yes," she gasped. "Gods, Jaime…" Sansa moved her hips, pressing herself against his mouth. Her moans of pleasure had made him hard as a rock as he continued to lick and suck her pleasure spot. She began panting and moaning his name as she reached her peak.

Jaime moved to lie next to her, kissing and sucking at her neck, as he watched her chest rise and fall quickly. She turned to meet his eyes and leaned over to kiss him, sliding her hand through his hair. Sansa kissed him slowly and deeply, exploring his mouth with her tongue. Jaime had learned how much Sansa liked to be kissed. Sometimes she would curl up in his arms to kiss him and cuddle in his arms for hours. She broke their kiss and rested her forehead against his, the desire clouding her gaze. Jaime helped her climb on top of him.

Jaime groaned in pleasure as Sansa grasped his cock in her hand. She kept her eyes locked on his as she stroked up and down his shaft, until he closed his eyes, sighing in pleasure. He covered her hand with his own, stilling her movements. If she continued, he was going to spend in her hand. He saw her smile knowingly before raising up on her knees and guiding him into her. Jaime threw his head back as she lowered herself down and began rolling her hips.

Her hands rested on his chest to balance herself as she moved over him and Jaime thrust up into her, his hand on her waist to steady her as she set the pace of their lovemaking. It wasn't long before he felt his body tighten as it prepared for release. Jaime sat up, gripping her waist and thrusting into her as he buried his face against her neck. Sansa held him close as he moaned against her neck and emptied his seed inside of her. She kissed his temple, the side of his face, and his shoulders as she murmured over and over that she loved him, as he panted against her.

Once his breathing had slowed, Jaime gently lowered her onto the bed and lay down beside her, pulling off the golden hand and tossing it onto the vast expanse of bed behind her as Sansa curled up against him, kissing his chest and running her fingers over his chest and stomach and lower. He chuckled softly, enjoying her roaming hands on his body.

"I'm glad I'm here," she whispered. "With you."

He kissed the top of her head. "As am I. There's no one on this earth I would rather have here with me. Truly." He hoped that she knew how much loved her. "You deserve everything I can possibly give you. I know it doesn't make up for all that Joffrey and Cersei did to you – to hurt you and scare you. You know I'll do whatever I can to make up for what they've done. And for my own misdeeds," he whispered, absently stroking her hair.

Sansa tilted her head up to him. "Please don't punish yourself for the past anymore, Jaime. I told you…I only care about our future." He saw a strange look overtake her face as she looked down, placing her hand against her belly.

"What's wrong? Are you all right? Is it the babe?"

She smiled softly, nodding. "I think…I think it's moving." She took her hand off of her belly. "It feels like…fluttering wings or something." She took his hand and held it against her. After a few minutes Jaime looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "It'll do it again," she insisted. They sat in silence for several minutes before Sansa sighed in frustration and released his hand.

He chuckled and kissed her belly and then her lips. "There's plenty of time for me to feel the babe inside you. Your time won't come for several moons. Would it be all right if I settled for holding you?" She nodded, moving closer to him as Jaime reached for the furs and bedclothes to cover them. He closed his eyes once Sansa settled into his arms, resting her head on his chest and pressing her belly against his side.

Jaime vowed that nothing would separate him from Sansa and his child. This our home now, Sansa. Yours and mine. We'll fill it with memories of nothing but happiness.

…

Next Chapter: Arya learns Sansa is pregnant (Yes, she's managed to hide it from her sister up to now)