Chapter 43

"Lord Lannister? Lady Stark wishes to speak to you."

Jaime looked up from his desk and met the gaze of one of the soldiers he had assigned to guard Catelyn Stark. "Where is my lady wife this afternoon?" He didn't wish for Sansa to be upset by whatever her mother had to say – especially now that the babe was to come quite soon. The guards assigned to Sansa were under orders to keep the two women apart, unless it was Sansa who specifically sought out her mother. He knew they had run into one another a few days earlier and had words, though Sansa's main guard told Jaime that Lady Lannister had stood up for herself admirably. And Sansa had recounted most of the conversation to him later that night over dinner.

"I believe Lady Lannister and Lady Tully are having tea downstairs."

Jaime nodded. "Send Lady Stark in." Jaime poured himself a cup of wine as he waited for Catelyn Stark. It wasn't long before she appeared in the doorway, and Jaime instructed her guards to close the door to give them privacy. "What can I do for you, Mother Stark?" He couldn't keep the smirk off his face at her reaction to his continuing to call her "Mother Stark." Jaime found it rather amusing that Catelyn Stark - a woman only a few years older than he - was his good-mother.

"I wanted to speak to you about my son, Bran, and how he came to fall from that tower."

Jaime sighed. He should have known she would want to discuss something like this and refused to see her. "This again? If you showed half as much concern for the welfare of your living children as you show for an injury suffered by a child who is now deceased…perhaps you would have reconciled with Sansa by now."

"I want to know what happened to my son."

"Why? Will it bring him back? Will it accomplish anything?"

"I have a right to know how he fell. I already know that you Lannisters sent an assassin to kill my son in his bed. That you gave your catspaw a bag of silver to make certain Bran would never wake."

"Did I now?" Jaime asked in amusement. "You know that do you? Think what you will about me, but I have never yet hired anyone to do my killing. If I had wanted your son dead, I would have slain him myself."

"If you did not send the killer, then it was the Imp."

"Tyrion did no such thing."

"Then why did the assassin have his dagger?"

"What dagger was that?" Jaime asked in a bored tone, though Tyrion had already described the dagger to him when he had told him about Lady Stark's accusations.

"It was so long," she said, holding her hands apart. "Plain, but finely made, with a blade of Valyrian steel and a dragonbone hilt. Your brother won it from Lord Baelish at the tourney on Prince Joffrey's name day, before your trip to Winterfell."

"Tyrion won it, you say? How?" Jaime wanted Lady Catelyn to see for herself how Littlefinger had led her astray – how little sense his story made. He wished for her to see that her trust in her childhood friend was misplaced.

"He won it wagering on you when you tilted against the Knight of the Flowers." She seemed confused for a moment – no doubt seeing the flaw in the tale Littlefinger had told her. "No…was it the other way?"

"Tyrion always backed me in the lists," Jaime said, "but that day Ser Loras unhorsed me. A mischance, I took the boy too lightly, but no matter. Whatever my brother wagered, he lost. He won nothing that day…but that dagger did change hands, as I recall it now. Robert showed it to me that night at the feast. His Grace loved to salt my wounds, especially when drunk. And when was he not drunk?"

"Petyr swore to me that the Imp won the dagger from him. He has been almost like a brother, since we were children at Riverrun…he looked after Ned for me while he was in King's Landing- "

Jaime began to laugh. "Yes, he certainly did. You really don't know the truth about Littlefinger, do you? He betrayed your husband. It was Littlefinger himself who held a blade to your husband's throat when my sister took him for a traitor."

She was shaking her head in disbelief. "He wouldn't do that to me."

"I remember when he challenged Brandon Stark for your hand…surely you haven't forgotten? He was willing to kill one Stark brother in order to have you for himself, why not another?"

"That was years ago. He was just a boy."

"It appears time has not dampened his affections. My sister herself told me of his actions against Lord Stark. She certainly had no reason to lie to me about it. And when Littlefinger couldn't have you…he tried to replace you with your daughter."

"What do you mean?"

"My father told me that after Stannis was defeated at King's Landing – largely because Littlefinger assisted in joining the Lannister and Tyrell forces - Littlefinger asked for Sansa as a bride. As a thank you gift." Jaime's tone conveyed full well the lecherous intent he felt Petyr Baelish had for Sansa.

Lady Catelyn paled. "I-I'm certain he wished to return her to me." He could tell from her voice that she didn't believe her own words.

Jaime nodded. "I'm sure that's why he took such a keen interest in knowing whether our marriage had been consummated – in knowing whether or not she remained a maiden. I saw him manhandle Sansa when she refused to flee the capitol with him. He said I could never love her as she deserved to be loved, implying he could." Her mouth dropped open. "I don't pretend to be a good or honorable man…but I'm not a liar." Jaime stood and leaned against the wall, looking at Lady Catelyn, and hoping she realized that Littlefinger was no one to trust.

He'd successfully distracted her from her questions about her son's fall from that tower, for now, but he knew she would keep asking. "Sansa is due to give birth to my child in only a few weeks. And I will not allow you to dig into the past in an effort to separate us. She does not like to think or talk about the past. Nor do I. Surely, you must realize that upsetting Sansa at such a late stage in her pregnancy could harm her as well as the child she carries. I hope your hatred for me does not extend to the child in your daughter's womb."

Lady Stark looked down at her lap and shook her head. "I want…I want my children back. As they were before all of you came to Winterfell and ruined our lives."

"I'm afraid it's far too late for that," he said gently. "As much as you may long for the past, that life is gone."

"I know that all too well." She stared down at her hands in her lap before looking back up at him. "Sansa certainly enjoys playing lady of the castle."

Jaime smirked. Sansa had told him about ending her argument with her mother by ordering Lady Catelyn escorted to her rooms. "She is lady of the castle. I suppose I should compliment you, for teaching her to run a household properly. She's done a remarkable job learning to run Casterly Rock. I expect you spent a good deal of time preparing her to be a lord's wife. And Sansa is…a wonderful wife. And she deserves to exert a bit of power…after what Joffrey did to her."

"After what your son did to her."

He met her eyes. "Sansa is well aware of my… relation to Joffrey. Mercifully he's dead and can never hurt her again. Or else, I might have been forced to put him down myself. I'd have been a kinslayer as well as a kingslayer."

She was visibly surprised at his words about Joffrey. "How does the queen feel about my daughter usurping her place?" she asked quietly.

"Cersei has no more use for a brother who is a cripple, than she did for one who was a dwarf. And Sansa…occupies a place in my life all her own. She's no replacement for anyone." Jaime looked at her carefully. "Is there anything else?" She shook her head and rose from her seat, leaving him alone.

Once he was alone again, Jaime looked down at the letter that had just arrived from the capitol and sighed. It appeared Cersei had gotten herself into quite a mess in a rather short space of time. Their father had only been dead for a few short months, and Cersei had gone from triumphant queen regent to a prisoner of the Faith. She stood accused of the murder of the High Septon. She had evidently already confessed to fornication and incest with Lancel. Jaime supposed he should be grateful that she kept his name out of it, though he knew it was to save herself from being executed for treason. Though it would disgrace her to admit to fucking Lancel, it was not treason. Were she to admit that he was the father of her children, they would both end up dead. As would Tommen and Myrcella.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Jaime read her last words over and over to himself. He found it rather convenient that she suddenly loved him, now that she needed his protection. He could not stop thinking about her cruel, spiteful words during his time in King's Landing. He could still hear her voice calling him a bitter, useless cripple. He could still see her fucking Osmund Kettleblack. Why can't she name her lover as her champion? The very idea that she'd name a one-handed knight as her champion in a trial by battle was laughable. Certainly she must know it would be a death sentence for the both of us. Of course, Cersei had always said that they came into the world together – Jaime holding onto her ankle – and they would leave the world together. Perhaps she intended for them both to die.

There was a time when Jaime would have been gone from Casterly Rock the moment he read her plea for help. Even today, when he first read Cersei's letter, Jaime had wanted to help her. Then he had stared down at his hands and taken in the sight of the gold – his false right one, and the wedding band on his left. He had Sansa, and their little one to think of. If he went to King's Landing for Cersei, he might never return to his little wife. He might never see her sweet smile again or hold her in his arms again. He might never hold his child – just as he never held the others. I can't risk my future with Sansa. I can't leave her. Jaime sighed, throwing the letter down in frustration and walking into his bedchamber.

…

"Jaime?" Sansa walked into her husband's solar, looking for him, and saw a letter open on his desk. She looked at the seal and saw that it was from King's Landing. She scanned over the text from the Maester, writing on behalf of Cersei, detailing that Cersei was to be tried for killing the High Septon and sought Jaime's help – to be her champion in a trial by battle. Then she got to Cersei's own fervent message.

Come at once. I need you now as I have never needed you before. I love you. I love you. I love you. Please, Jaime, you must come at once.

Sansa felt fear grip her heart with a force that left her trembling. She could scarce draw breath. How can she ask Jaime to be her champion when he's lost his sword hand? Does she wish for him to die along with her? Jaime had improved a great deal as a left-handed swordfighter, but she feared he would not be able to prevail in a trial by combat – a battle to the death - against whomever stood as the champion of The Faith. What if he dies? He'll never meet our child.

"Sansa?"

She jumped at the sound of Jaime's voice and dropped the parchment on his desk. "I'm sorry," she said, gesturing toward the letter. "I was looking for you and I…I didn't mean to read your letter." She turned to look out the window and felt the tears welling in her eyes. "Do you have to leave right away?" she asked quietly, hating the weakness in her voice. Sansa fought back a sob as she rested her hands on her belly.

She heard him snatch the letter off the desk. "Sansa, I'm not going anywhere."

Sansa turned, not certain she heard him right. She realized tears were streaming down her face, blurring her vision as she watched Jaime throw the letter into the fire. "You're not going to King's Landing?" she whispered.

"No. My place is here with you." Jaime walked towards her, and took her in his arms, holding her. Sansa wished she weren't so weak, but she clutched him tightly and began to cry in relief. "Don't cry, sweet girl," he whispered, stroking her hair. "I'm not leaving you. I'll never leave you. I promise." She looked up at him and watched his face as he wiped her tears away. "If I went to King's Landing…I wouldn't be back in time for when the child comes. I'd probably never come back alive," he said sadly, no doubt sharing her thoughts that he would likely die. "I promised that I would be in the birthing chamber with you the whole time. And I mean to keep my promise."

"What about Cersei?"

Jaime sighed, clutching her tighter. "I can't risk my life for her. My life…is not entirely my own anymore, Sansa." He rested his forehead against hers. "My life also belongs to you. And our little one." He kissed her gently.

"I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."

"It's all right," he said, holding her against his chest. "You have no reason to cry, Sansa. You're in no danger of losing me."

"I love you, Jaime," she whispered against his chest.

He led her to the large sofa sitting opposite the fire and sat, pulling her onto his lap. She kissed him before resting her head on his shoulder. "And I love you, Sansa. You, my sweet, are my whole world. You and our babe," he said with a smile, rubbing his hand over her belly. She giggled as the baby kicked at his hand in response. "See, the babe agrees. We are a family."

"It can't have been easy for you…to ignore her request. She is your family and…I know there must be a part of you that..." Sansa trailed off, unable to voice aloud her belief that Jaime must still love Cersei a little. She is the mother of his children, though he says he doesn't see them that way.

Jaime nodded, looking down at his hand on Sansa's belly. "She is my family. My twin. But I've given her the better part of 20 years of my life…I gave up all that I could have had…the life I could have had, for her. I joined the Kingsguard to be close to her – so I'd never marry and be separated from her. I gave up any right to have a wife, to have children, to be Lord of the Rock. All at her demand. All so she could have what she wanted. I can't do that anymore. I have to consider my own happiness. And yours, sweet girl. I'd never allow her needs to come before yours. And I want to be here with you when our babe is born."

"I can't wait to hold our baby," she whispered. She lifted her head and wrapped her arm around Jaime's neck. "And I can't wait to see our little one in your arms."

He kissed her and the kicking grew even stronger. "It seems our little lion cub can't wait either."

Sansa smiled and rested her hand over his as the child inside her kicked and kicked. She could see the love and wonder on Jaime's face as he looked down at their hands on her belly. She said a silent thanks to the gods for keeping Jaime safe with her. For breaking Cersei's hold on him. She pushed his head toward her and kissed him. She felt his arm with the golden hand wrap around her tighter as both of her hands moved to his head, pulling him close to her. He kept his hand on her belly as they kissed. She felt him smile as her tongue sought admittance to his mouth.

"Trying to lure me into bed?" he whispered, returning her passionate kiss.

She smirked at his teasing tone as she looked into his glittering eyes, her fingers brushing his hair off his face. "Sometimes…I'm so afraid that this is all a dream and…I'm going to wake up and you and…" She looked down at her swollen belly, "…all of this will disappear. And I'll be back in the capitol, naked, while Joffrey has the Kingsguard beat me."

"That will not happen." He kissed her forehead as she leaned against him. "I fear losing you as well. All the time. I know that I don't deserve you and I worry…someone or something will take you away from me. I may not deserve you, sweet girl, but I certainly mean to keep you."

She smiled and kissed him over and over again, only pulling away when she heard someone clearing their voice from the doorway. She met her Uncle Edmure's gaze and blushed heavily, sliding off Jaime's lap to sit beside him.

"Great timing as always, Tully," Jaime said in annoyance.

She could see that Edmure regretted embarrassing her, as she looked down, her arm looped through Jaime's. "Is your babe kicking quite a bit?"

She nodded, meeting his eyes. He does look so much like Robb. "Does yours as well?"

"It does. Roslin…it makes her smile every time the child moves." Edmure turned his attention to Jaime. "It's Lady Roslin that brings me here. I wondered if…" he trailed off and Sansa could see he was uncomfortable with whatever he was about to ask.

"Spit it out, Tully." Sansa gave Jaime a long-suffering look at his impatience.

"I've noticed there is an empty bedchamber adjoining my own and…I had thought that perhaps my lady wife could be moved into that room." Sansa smiled, glad that he had been able to forgive Roslin. She knew it would greatly ease Lady Roslin's mind that she would have Edmure's affection when her child was born.

"I'll speak to the staff and make sure her things are moved before nightfall," Sansa said quickly.

She felt Jaime's eyes on her. "It seems my lady wife is only too happy to help you," he said dryly.

Sansa glared at him. "Must you be so tiresome?" she whispered. Jaime had told Sansa weeks ago that he'd put Edmure in that room deliberately, expecting to move Roslin into the adjoining chamber once they patched up their differences.

Jaime smirked at her. "Sansa runs the household…I certainly have no objection."

Edmure bowed slightly in Sansa's direction. "Thank you, my dear. Jaime."

Once Edmure and his guards had left, Sansa turned toward Jaime. "Do you have to play with everyone like that?"

He smiled. "I don't know…I think you rather like how I play with you," he whispered, kissing her. He lifted her back onto his lap, groaning dramatically. "You are getting heavy."

She smacked his shoulder before curling up in his arms, burying her face against his neck as he placed his hand on her belly once more, no doubt thinking about the arrival of their child, as she did. Sansa threaded her fingers through Jaime's hair, knowing that he must be worried about his sister, though she knew he wasn't comfortable speaking to her about it. Sansa supposed she wasn't especially comfortable hearing it. Cersei's predicament must weigh on him. But he chose me, she reminded herself. Cersei will have to fend for herself. She's good at that.

….

Thank you all for reading. I'm glad that you continue to enjoy the story. Though Jaime has chosen Sansa, don't think that we have heard the last from Cersei. She's not one to give up without a fight. Though we'll be free of her for a few chapters.

Hmm...I wonder if we can reach 400 reviews before the next chapter is posted?

Next Chapter: Roslin has her baby (I know, Sansa's due first, but due dates aren't exact)