Chapter 57
Sansa enjoyed a long bubble bath while Jaime watched the baby in their chamber. As much as she loved Jaime and their baby, she appreciated having a few moments by herself to stretch out in a hot bath. She could hear Jaime's voice echoing from the bedchamber as he spoke to Julianna and smiled to herself. He never has been very good at sitting quietly. He could talk to that baby for hours. Over the past several weeks, Sansa had actually learned quite a lot about Jaime just by listening to the stories he told Julianna. Not that the baby understood the words, but she always happily responded to the sound of his voice, her eyes sparkling and a smile lighting up her little face as she listened to Jaime.
After her bath, Sansa dressed in a light nightdress and robe. She stood in the doorway of their chamber, pulling out the pins that held her hair up, and smiled at the sight of Jaime reclining on the bed, his legs bent at the knee with Julianna propped up against his thighs, smiling and squealing as he tickled her little feet.
She stood in the doorway watching them, and knew that she had made the right decision when she told Jaime that she didn't care about the past and that she forgave him for everything. He was a different man than he was before they married and fell in love. She didn't know if it was losing his sword hand, or being away from Cersei's influence, or Sansa's own presence in his life, but Jaime had changed. Perhaps it's that he has been free to love openly. He doesn't have to hide who he loves anymore. He can love and show affection for me and for his child whenever he wishes.
"Are you going to join us, my lady?" he asked, a grin on his face as he glanced up at her.
Sansa smiled and crossed the room towards them, climbing onto the bed and curling up beside Jaime. She rested her head on Jaime's shoulder, reaching out and taking Julianna's tiny hand in her own, and smiling at her delighted little squeal. Jaime reached for the babe, tickling her belly and laughing as her squeals became louder.
"We should be calming her down to go to sleep, not exciting her like this," Sansa said, though she was smiling.
Jaime chuckled and moved the babe closer, cradling her against his chest. "Our little lioness will go right to sleep like a good girl." He leaned over and kissed Sansa, wrapping his arm around her. "You smell good," he murmured, nuzzling against her neck and softly kissing her cheek. Sansa rested a hand on the back of his neck as he moved to cover her lips with his own and his kisses became more and more aggressive.
She gently pushed him away. "Let me get her to sleep and then…we can…"
"Pick up where I left off?"
"Perhaps," she said with a smile and he kissed her, placing the babe in her lap as he walked into the bathing room, stripping his tunic off as he walked.
The Maester had told her earlier that day that her body had recovered from childbirth and that she could resume her wifely duties in the bedchamber. Sansa had blushed bright red and been horrified at the discussion with the old man she barely knew. Though she also eagerly anticipated making love with Jaime again. She had found other ways to physically comfort and distract Jaime from his grief over the past weeks, but she missed the closeness and the pleasure of being bedded by her husband.
Sansa turned her attention to the babe in her lap, unlacing her nightgown and quietly singing to the baby as she suckled, watching as her eyelids began to droop. Once the babe's belly was full and she seemed about to fall asleep, Sansa rose from the bed and made her way to the bassinette. The babe was a bit too big now for the basket she had slept in for the first month of her life, but after they'd both nearly been murdered, Sansa wasn't ready to have her sleep alone in her nursery. Not to mention that it was winter and it was much easier to only heat the one bedchamber, so she'd moved the bassinette into their chamber, placing it near the fire. She carefully placed Julianna in the bassinette, rubbing her arm and continuing to hum until the babe's eyes remained closed and she clutched her little fists to her chest.
She felt Jaime behind her, resting his hand on her waist as he looked down at their sleeping babe. "She's so peaceful. So precious."
Sansa leaned against him. "You have a way with her, Jaime…and with Arya as well. I saw her the other day, crying against you. She's come to care for you so much." Sansa hoped her mother didn't plan to tell Arya anything about what Jaime did. She didn't want either Jaime or her sister to lose the relationship they had developed over the past months together. She could see that it was important to the both of them. In some ways, she thought the relationship had helped to heal them. It allowed Arya to have a brother in her life again, and it allowed Jaime to have a companion – a sibling – after losing his relationships with Cersei and Tyrion.
"I happen to have a soft spot for you Stark girls." Sansa giggled, turning in his arms and resting her head against his chest. "Should I tell her what I did?" He didn't have to say anything further. Sansa knew what he meant.
She shook her head. "No. She's just a little girl and…it is better she not know. She's so fond of you and I fear it would only hurt her." He nodded, but she could see that he was still troubled. She lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed him, resting her hands on his chest. "I love you, Jaime."
"I love you, sweet girl," he murmured between kisses as Sansa slid her hands from his chest to wrap around his shoulders, pulling herself up until Jaime wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her off the ground. "What are you up to?" he asked, surprised at her aggression.
"Will you make love to me, Jaime?" she whispered in his ear. She felt her face heat and felt like an idiot for blushing after over a year of marriage. But Jaime still gave her a nervous fluttering in her stomach. He's so handsome and such a brave knight. Sometimes she still found it hard to believe that he was all hers.
Jaime chuckled, placing little kisses on her neck. "You're certain it won't hurt you?"
She nodded, staring down at his shoulder, unable to meet his eyes. "The Maester said it was all right. It's been more than two moons since Julianna was born." She was nervous, but she wanted to be close to Jaime in that way. Every now and then, he would forget the things that weighed on him and return to being his playful self. But there was still a shadow of doubt and grief around him sometimes. She wanted to resume being intimate with him, knowing that it would comfort and reassure the both of them. Perhaps being close in that way will chase away those final ghosts.
Jaime lowered her to her feet and looked at her expectantly. She slid her robe from her shoulders, shivering as Jaime ran a finger down her bare arm. He took her hand and led her to stand beside the bed. Jaime leaned close to her, kissing her neck and trailing his fingers along the front of her nightgown. She sighed as he dipped his fingers beneath the neckline to stroke the tops of her breasts with the back of his hand. Sansa shyly reached for the hem of her gown, pulling it over her head and dropping it to the ground, standing naked before him, watching Jaime's eyes darkening with desire as they roamed over her body.
It wasn't long before Sansa was on her back on the bed, Jaime on top of her, pulling at the laces of his breeches as she ran her hands over the hard planes of his chest. She brushed his hair back from his forehead and kissed him, eagerly anticipating what was about to happen, though she felt absolutely wanton. She saw that he was getting frustrated with his laces and Sansa reached between them to undo his breeches and helped to lower them past his thighs, as Jaime finished removing them.
Once Jaime was completely nude, he rolled onto his back with Sansa sprawled on top of him. She was softly kissing his chest, enjoying the taste of his skin and the feel of his hand tangled in her hair. She covered his mouth with hers once more, her thighs on either side of his body. She felt his arousal against her as she gazed into his eyes and felt his hand moving over her bottom, pressing her against him.
"It seems you've thought quite a bit about having your way with me again," Jaime said, the smile audible in his voice. Despite his teasing, she knew he enjoyed when she was aggressive and initiated intimacy between them.
She ground her hips against him, feeling triumphant when he gasped. "Any thoughts I may have had pale in comparison to your depravity," she whispered, laughing as he rolled her onto her back and crouched above her, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he looked over her breasts.
"You know I'd never share your teats with anyone but Julianna," he murmured as Sansa giggled and slapped his arm lightly. Jaime kissed her and gently stroked her breasts, pressing himself against her. Sansa stroked his hair as she arched her back, enjoying the feel of Jaime's hand and mouth on her.
He moved up and kissed her, resting his forehead against hers. "Try not to be as loud as you normally are, my sweet, you'll wake the babe."
She hit him indignantly. "I'm not –"
He laughed quietly as he moved his mouth back to her breasts. Jaime began kissing her belly and moved her legs so they were over his shoulders. She felt her body throbbing in anticipation as Jaime nosed his way between her thighs. Sansa moaned as he began licking at her. She felt his hand on her thigh and reached for it, tangling her fingers in his as he began to move his mouth and tongue over her.
When she felt that she couldn't take it anymore, Sansa grasped his hair and tugged, noticing that a wicked grin was on his face when he met her eyes. She motioned for Jaime to come towards her and he obliged her, parting her legs with his knees as he moved over her. She felt her breath catch as his arousal brushed against her thigh. She knew what to expect, but Sansa couldn't help feeling as nervous as she had their first time. She wasn't certain if it was because it had been some time since they had made love, or because now there were no secrets between them.
And we are so much closer now that we have Julianna. She had not realized how much more intimate their relationship would become after the birth of their child and the time they spent together caring for their infant daughter.
Sansa rested her hands on his shoulders as Jaime slowly entered her. She felt completely overwhelmed by how close she felt to him. She gripped his shoulders tightly and Jaime stopped kissing her, meeting her eyes. "Did I hurt you?"
She shook her head, wrapping her legs around his waist. "I forgot how…how close I feel to you when you're…"
"Inside you?" She blushed and nodded. "I've missed being with you like this," he murmured quietly, kissing her. "I've needed this." Jaime buried his face against her neck as he began rolling his hips, pressing into her and sliding out. Sansa tangled her fingers in his hair as the rhythm of his movements became more and more erratic. She felt his breath against her chest as Jaime reached between them and began touching her. She bit down on her fist to muffle the sounds of her moans, so as not to wake the baby.
She saw the smirk on Jaime's face and knew that he saw what she was doing. "Having a hard time controlling yourself, little wife?"
She glared at him, hating that he was right. And how amused he was by it. She pushed until Jaime was on his back and Sansa was on top of him, straddling him. He continued stroking between her thighs as she took control, knowing he'd soon lose himself in her actions. She felt her body tighten in pleasure and forced her eyes to stay open and locked on Jaime's as she began shuddering with pleasure. He had his hand on her hip and the golden hand pressed against her other side, continuing to move her over him. She leaned forward as he opened his mouth to let out a moan, and covered it with her own, swallowing the sounds of his pleasure as Jaime released his seed inside her.
After a few moments, Sansa kissed his cheek and moved to lie beside him, running her hands over his chest and neck. He smiled, rolling onto his side to face her and kissing her swollen lips.
"This was nice," she said shyly, running her fingers over the back of his neck as he continued kissing her.
"It was more than nice." She sighed as he rolled onto his back and pulled her to his chest, stroking her hair. "I don't know where I'd be right now, without you. You will never know how grateful I am that I was offered you as a bride. I know you think that I saved you back in King's Landing, but…you saved me."
"We saved each other," she whispered, kissing his chest and closing her eyes as her arm wrapped around his shoulders, holding him tightly.
…
Jaime smiled as he watched Julianna suck on a piece of toast taken from Sansa's plate. Now that he and Arya were practicing with their swords again – though they'd moved it indoors for Winter – she was back to breaking her fast with he and Sansa every morning. Julianna normally joined them as well. Not so much for the food but, she enjoyed sitting on Jaime or Sansa's lap and being in their company.
"Can I practice with the bow and arrow today?" Arya asked, taking a bite of her breakfast.
"Inside? Of course not," Sansa said. Jaime was surprised his little wife had not objected to them bringing their practice indoors before now, truth be told.
He smiled at Arya, who seemed to know it was a losing battle. "Let's stick with the swords for a time, all right?"
"But I want to practice with the dragon glass. So I'm ready for the White Walkers."
He saw Sansa smiling to herself, though she avoided his annoyed gaze. Jaime had allowed she and Arya to appropriate a large rock of dragon glass from Tyrion's chambers, so Gendry could make a few blades and arrow heads, though they clearly knew Jaime thought it ridiculous.
"I'm certain you will have plenty of time to prepare for the White Walkers," Jaime said sarcastically and the Stark girls exchanged sheepish smiles. Jaime had mocked them more than once about their insistence on making daggers and arrowheads from dragon glass. They were just finishing up breakfast when Ser Addam entered the breakfast room.
"Jaime, there are three people at the gates. The guards tell me that one is a lady asking to see Lady Lannister." Sansa looked at him alarm. It was the dead of winter and there was no reason why any travelers should be on the road. And they certainly should not be calling at the gates to the Rock. Sansa could not imagine who would appear at the gates for her. "She is most insistent. Though she refuses to identify herself."
"Search them for weapons and have them escorted in. Make certain they are heavily guarded."
"The man is armed with a sword."
"Not if he wishes to speak to us, he's not."
Ser Addam nodded, hurrying from the room.
"Who do you think it could be?" Sansa asked, walking to the window and trying to see down to the gate, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"I don't know, Sansa. I suppose we'll find out soon enough." He watched Arya standing beside Sansa, straining to get a look. "Arya, you'll need to return to your chambers." She turned to him and Jaime could see that she was going to protest.
"I could help protect Sansa," she said urgently. "They might wish to harm her."
"My guards will be here. Jaime's right, Arya, your presence here should be kept secret. As much as possible, anyway. Go. I'll tell you later what happened."
"Fine," she said, stomping from the room.
Sansa began walking towards him and Jaime rose and took her hand. "Your guards will accompany us. If I tell you to leave, you will, all right?" She nodded and he saw her eyes widen in fear as he put on his sword. "Don't be afraid. I won't let anyone get near you or the babe." He kissed her, smoothing his hand over the babe's head.
Sansa held Julianna tightly as they walked into the entryway to wait for Ser Addam to return with their visitors. They didn't have to wait long until Ser Addam returned with three people – a man, a woman and a child from the looks of it – wearing heavy fur capes, their hoods still raised. Sansa would have been fearful were there not ten guards standing behind her and nearly three times as many accompanying Ser Addam and the visitors.
"What business do you have with my lady wife?"
"I came to fulfill a promise I made," the woman said lowering her hood.
"Margaery?" he heard Sansa whisper beside him. He looked at the man, and realized he was Loras Tyrell, wearing plain armor – not his white armor of the Kingsguard, nor his ridiculous flowered armor of Highgarden. He looked over their relatively plain capes and dull colored clothing – not at all typical for the normally showy roses of Highgarden. They are traveling in secret.
Jaime focused now on the boy, noticing his golden hair and piercing green eyes, and saw that he carried a cage covered with an oilcloth – no doubt intended to keep its occupants warm. Jaime was certain there were mewling kittens inside and watched the boy carefully put the cage down and run towards Sansa, hugging her tightly about the waist when he reached her. Tommen.
…
Obviously, the next chapter will pick up where this one left off. Let me know your thoughts on the chapter and Tommen's arrival at Casterly Rock! As always, thank you so much for the reviews and for your continued interest in the story.