Here it is. Took a little longer with the holidays and going back to work after some time off, but don't worry – I fully intend to finish the story!

…

Chapter 109

Sansa sighed deeply as the sunlight woke her. She had slept fitfully all night as she continued to think about the possibility of returning to Westeros. She was torn over what she and Jaime should do. She turned her head and smiled at the sight beside her. Jaime was fast asleep, lying on his back with his arms on either side of his head. He's so peaceful. The sunlight made his skin and hair look even more golden. Even more like a lion of Casterly Rock.

She had seen last night that Jaime wished to return to Westeros. He had not said as much aloud – deferring their decision until the morning - but she knew him well enough to know his true wishes. That desire to return to Westeros had surprised her. He had spent years trying to convince Cersei to leave with him for the Free Cities, not caring about leaving Westeros behind. He gave up Casterly Rock without a second thought all those years ago when he joined the Kingsguard. But now, Jaime seemed to long for his home.

Perhaps Gerion's had an influence on Jaime, she thought, smiling to herself.

Jaime had never been a man who thought about family or children or his future. He never cared about the legacy of House Lannister as his father did. At least, he had not cared until he married and had children with her. Becoming a father had changed him. She had seen him change over the years, little by little, as he helped to raise their small children and forged a relationship with Tommen. He had never liked talking about the past, but that seemed to change as he answered the hundreds of questions their children asked on a daily basis. He plainly enjoyed his conversations with them and seeing the world through their eyes.

Julianna had vague memories of living in a castle and loved hearing about the Rock. It was through these conversations with the children that Sansa began to see the pride that Jaime had in being a Lannister of Casterly Rock. He had happy memories of his Uncle Kevan and Aunt Genna – the two of them had practically raise him and Cersei and Tyrion while Lord Tywin was serving the Mad King. Jaime also had happy memories of his adventures with Tyrion. And of Cersei. He rarely spoke of his twin, but she knew that he had fond memories of his childhood with her, though it had changed later.

As she thought about it, she wondered if the Hound was part of those childhood memories, having served Lord Tywin since he was a boy. Sansa had never imagined that she would see the Hound again after he fled King's Landing during the Battle of Blackwater. And she certainly didn't think to find him lurking in the shadows of their Lysene villa. All night he had looked at her with the same intensity that he always had – infuriating Jaime. His stare unnerved her – as it always had - but she fought not to show her discomfort to Jaime. Sansa knew it had already taken all the restraint that Jaime possessed not to kill the man. Not only for watching them make love but because Sandor was there while Joffrey was having her beaten. And he had done nothing to stop it.

Though she had urged Jaime to let it go – and she honestly did not want him to fight the Hound - she had secretly enjoyed watching him defend her. It made her feel safe to see how protective Jaime was of her. She knew that no one would ever harm her again as long as Jaime was by her side.

She reached over and gently stroked his handsome face as he slept beside her. He was everything to her and everything to their children. And she knew without a doubt that they were everything to him. We can't return home if there's a chance that he'll be taken from us. I won't allow the Queen to harm him. I won't allow her to deprive my children of their father. Jaime yawned and opened his eyes, a slow smile appearing on his features as his gaze focused on her. Sansa crept closer, softly kissing his lips as his hand roamed over her back.

"Good morning, beautiful girl."

"Good morning, my love." Jaime pulled her closer and Sansa rested on his chest, running her fingers through his hair. "You slept well. I was afraid my tossing and turning would keep you awake."

His eyes darkened and Jaime had rolled her onto her back and was resting comfortably on top of her, settled between her thighs. "I don't much care for you wearing this shift in our bed. I far prefer to feel your body against mine." He leaned over and kissed her deeply before resting his forehead against hers. "You have nothing to worry about, Sansa," he said quietly. "Nothing to fear. There's nothing that should keep you up nights."

She felt so safe with him when they were like this – when he was so close to her that she could feel his breath on her face and his weight pressing her into the mattress. Sansa reached up and traced her fingers over his hair. It was shorter now – to make the heat of the Free Cities bearable – but it still shone golden in the sunlight.

"I won't risk your life for anything," she whispered. "Even if we never see the Rock or Winterfell again. It doesn't matter, so long as we're all together."

Jaime smiled softly and kissed her again, before moving his mouth to her neck. "We will be together," he murmured against her skin. "Tyrion would not ask us to return if it weren't safe. And I promised you that I would take you to back to Winterfell. That you would see it rebuilt as it once was. I intend to keep that promise."

Before Sansa could voice her concerns – tell him that she didn't expect him to keep the promise made so long ago - the door to their bedchamber creaked open a tiny bit and Rickard quickly slipped into the room. She chuckled at Jaime's heavy sigh before he rolled off of her. Their little boy hovered by the door uncertainly. "It's all right, son," Jaime said, patting the bed between him and Sansa.

Rickard smiled and ran over, climbing on the bed and plopping himself down between them. Sansa leaned over and kissed the top of his head. "Gerion still sleeping," he informed them.

I don't doubt it, Sansa thought, recalling how late Gerion was up with them. My little Lord. It had amused her to see how protective her little one was of her – and how proud he was to be a Lannister. She had thought he might challenge the Hound to a duel right there.

"Mama? Who's the man in the kitchen?" She glanced at Jaime, knowing Gerion must have seen either Ser Addam or the Hound. Before they could answer, there was a knock on their chamber door and Jaime reluctantly bid them to enter. Tommen walked in with Julianna hot on his heels. Sansa noticed that Tommen seemed a bit fearful.

"Why is Ser Addam here?" he asked, looking between Jaime and Sansa. "Did something bad happen?" She looked at Jaime who sighed, knowing they needed to speak to Tommen about his future – about all of their futures.

…

Tommen is to wed the Queen's ward, Lady Shireen Baratheon, when both reach the age of eight and ten. I have informed Queen Daenerys of Tommen's gentle nature, and we agreed that joining them in marriage was the best solution to the predicament of his paternity. Upon their marriage, they will be installed as Lord and Lady of Storm's End – which the Realm believes to be rightfully Tommen's, as Robert Baratheon's only living son.

Tyrion's letter had informed them that the Dragon Queen was aware that Tommen was alive and living with them in Lys. He had convinced her to allow the former king to return to Westeros, so long as he disclaimed any right to the throne and swear fealty to her. The Queen knew that it was Cersei who took the throne, not Tommen. That he was only a little boy. In return, Tommen would be granted a full pardon and become Lord of Storm's End, with Shireen Baratheon as his lady. Storm's End was rightly hers, and their marriage would allow for her to inherit – and her children to inherit - without publicly shaming Jaime and subjecting him to the hatred of the Realm.

Jaime watched Tommen's face as he read Tyrion's letter. He was still only a boy, and Jaime wondered if he had any right to bind the child to a marriage he had not asked for. I'm putting the burden on him for my sins. He regretted, not for the first time, how little he and Cersei had considered the consequences of their relationship to the children they conceived. Of course, it was Cersei who had ensured that all of her children were pure Lannisters, but Jaime knew he shared the blame. He had been haunted these past years by Myrcella's anger and shame at learning the truth. We harmed them gravely.

Tommen looked up at him finally. "If we return and…I marry her…no one will ever know you're my father?" he asked quietly. "I would remain a Baratheon?" He looked at Jaime, searching for answers.

"I believe your Uncle wanted to spare you any…any shame."

"And you as well," Tommen had said quietly.

"I'm not ashamed of you." Jaime spoke forcefully, because it was the truth. But, he also knew that concealing Jaime and Cersei's true relationship was precisely what Tyrion had intended. His brother had no way of knowing that he had confessed the truth to Tommen. And if they were to return to Westeros, Jaime supposed it did not matter whether or not Tommen knew the truth. He could never publicly acknowledge him as his son. The people of Lannisport had forgiven Jaime for many sins, but he knew they would not forgive incest and the treason of allowing his bastard to take the throne. Far too many people died because of it.

"We all know the truth, Tommen. Perhaps that's all that matters," Sansa said gently and Jaime was grateful to have her by his side. She understood Tommen better than he did. She had always been better at comforting his son and Sansa always seemed to know how to smooth over the issues between the two of them.

"But Julianna and the twins would never know. They call me 'brother' but…they wouldn't know that it's true," he whispered, turning away from them, though Jaime caught sight of the tears forming in his eyes. Tommen loved his brothers and sister very much. And they loved him. Jaime would wager that those relationships were the most important to Tommen. The little ones were always barging into Tommen's room or following him around and he never complained. He enjoys being a big brother.

Jaime looked at Sansa and saw that she was similarly at a loss for words. Jaime had spoken truthfully. He wasn't ashamed of Tommen. But he also feared the day Julianna and the twins learned the truth. He didn't want his children to think him depraved or look at him with disgust. Julianna had already asked why Tommen did not call Sansa "Mother," and she had gently explained that she was not Tommen's mother. Julianna had nodded, though she had not asked anymore questions. It was so unlike his daughter to let the topic go without asking more. She must have sensed my anxiety.

Jaime recalled the fear that had coursed through him at the thought of his little girl knowing about his relationship with Cersei. She knew he'd had a twin sister, of course, but she knew nothing about her or about their relationship. She didn't know that Cersei had been Queen, or she certainly would have wanted to know all about her.

Julianna had picked up on the boy not calling Sansa "Mother," but Tommen didn't call him "Father" either. Jaime expected that he never would. He certainly won't if we return to Westeros and he assumes the role of Robert's heir. To the entire the Realm, we can be no more than uncle and nephew. He's simply my ward. Mine and Sansa's.

"Julianna, Gerion and Rickard all love you for who you are – for the relationship that you have with them and the love you've shown them their whole lives. Nothing will change that." Tommen looked at Sansa then, wiping the tears from his eyes, and nodded.

"We should go back," he said simply, rising to his feet. "Julianna and the twins want to go. And Gerion should be Lord of the Rock. I shouldn't be the one to hold them back. I'll do what's expected of me." He left their chamber abruptly, and Sansa rose to follow him, but Jaime grasped her arm, telling her to let him go.

"You go, then," she urged him. "Talk to him."

"I can't," he whispered. He wanted to. He knew that he and Cersei had caused Tommen a great deal of pain during his young life. But he couldn't seem to think of a single thing to say to the boy that would comfort him. "He's not entirely wrong, Sansa. I hate the idea of Julianna knowing about me and Cersei. I'm not ashamed of Tommen. Not at all. But…I'm ashamed of how he came to be." Jaime looked down at his lap, wishing he didn't have so many shortcomings as a father.

He felt Sansa moving closer to him and she gently brushed her fingers over his face, turning him to look at her. "Julianna loves you and nothing you have done in the past will change that. Your praise means more to her than anyone's. She runs to you when she's afraid and wants comfort. You are her perfect knight. For the rest of her life…every man she meets will be compared to you. And I expect most will fall short, in her eyes. Nothing will lessen how much she loves you. Nor how much the boys love and admire you."

Jaime nodded, but he didn't believe her. He had been terrified of being a father – believing himself incapable of loving a child. But now that he had allowed his children into his heart, he was terrified of losing them. He never wanted the perfect babes he created with Sansa to look at him with disgust or hatred. They were so innocent and he wanted to keep them that way. He couldn't bear to lose the love and admiration of his children. A nagging voice told Jaime that Tommen was his child as well, and Jaime knew he had to find a way to reassure the boy of his place in their family.

"Tommen will be all right, Sansa. He knows that this is best for everyone. Himself included." Jaime truly believed that. Tommen deserved better than to be ridiculed as a bastard. To live his life as Tommen Hill. The Queen would never legitimize him as a Lannister – of that Jaime had no doubt. And even if she did, the Realm would never accept him as the product of incest. This is the best future for him. Tyrion did this for Tommen, as much as for the rest of us.

Jaime wrapped his arm around Sansa and pulled her against him. "Are we agreed then? We're going home?" He knew she was fearful and had not forgotten what happened when the Queen took Casterly Rock. He had not forgotten either. Jaime would never forget the sight of his daughter with a blade at her throat. He had no intention of allowing any harm to come to them.

Sansa looked at him and slowly nodded. "Let's go home."

…

Sansa stood outside their villa, watching as the red cloaks carried the last of many trunks onto The Laughing Lion as well as the two ships Ser Addam and the Hound had used to travel South. There was still a part of her that was terrified at the thought of returning to Westeros and King's Landing, but she agreed with Jaime that his brother would not allow them to return if any harm would come to them. Sansa wished that they could simply return to the Rock and stay there, but that was not to be.

Tyrion's letter had explained that the Queen was hosting a feast and tournament in the Capitol, to celebrate the end of winter, as well as the defeat of the White Walkers. He wrote that the smallfolk demanded Jaime's presence at the celebration, as his bravery was known throughout the Realm. Sansa could well believe it, if the songs Lady Genna had sent were as popular as she claimed. They were to sail straight to King's Landing. As apprehensive as she had been about returning to Casterly Rock, Sansa hated the idea of returning to the Red Keep. She never wished to see King's Landing again. It held nothing but memories of fear and pain for her. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that Tyrion had put safeguards in place to guarantee their safety.

She and Jaime would be accompanied by the hundreds of red cloaks that had joined Ser Addam on his journey South, in addition to the guards who had been with them during their years in the Free Cities. And additional men would travel from the Rock to meet their ship in King's Landing. The Queen's Unsullied would be evenly matched, between the red cloaks and the Northmen who were traveling South to be honored for their bravery against the White Walkers.

Jaime had finally convinced Sansa of their safety by giving her a letter from Jon Snow to Tyrion, which confirmed that the Queen's dragons were at the Wall and firmly under the control of Bran. While the dragons would travel South, with the Nightswatch, for the feasts, Jon was adamant that Bran would never allow the beasts to harm she or Jaime. He had confided that Bran had greater control over the three dragons than even the Queen.

Sansa smiled as Gerion trotted along beside Tommen, who held his little brother's hand and carried his cage of kittens in the other. Though his interest had turned to swordplay, Tommen's affection for his furry little pets had not waned and Julianna and the twins enjoyed playing with them as well. Sansa worried for Tommen. She knew that having to live his life as Robert Baratheon's son, rather than Jaime's, hurt him. He'll always have a place in our family, with his sister and brothers. No matter what the Realm believes. She had gone to Tommen the night it was decided that they would leave the Free Cities and held him tightly, promising him as much.

"Mama?" Gerion asked, holding his free hand out to her, so she could join them in boarding the ship.

"I'll be aboard in a moment, Sweetling. You and Tommen go ahead."

Gerion and Julianna had been bouncing with excitement for the past two days – ever since they learned that they were to go to Westeros. All they could talk of was seeing the Capitol, and their Uncle Tyrion and the Rock. Rickard was a bit more cautious and Sansa worried that her little one was picking up on her own hesitancy to return. He always watched his mother carefully and looked to her for guidance in any new situation.

"Are you ready?" Jaime murmured low in her ear, bringing her back to the present.

Sansa nodded, turning to face him and saw that Julianna was beside him and Rickard was in his arms. "Are you ready to go, my darling?" she asked, stroking Rickard's hair.

He looked behind Jaime, back at the villa, before turning to Sansa. "We come back?" he asked, his lip quivering fearfully.

"It's all right, son," Jaime whispered. "You have nothing to fear."

"No, we're not coming back. We're going to have a new home," Sansa said gently. Rickard reached for her, holding her tightly and burying his face against her neck. She kissed his cheek.

Jaime held his arms out to Julianna, and she seemed insulted that he intended to carry her. Instead, she took his hand. "I'll walk beside you, Father. I'll board the ship like a lady."

"Of course. Forgive me, lioness."

Sansa felt Jaime's golden hand pressing against her back as she carried Rickard up the ramp and on board The Laughing Lion. Gendry took her hand when she reached the top and helped her step onto the ship. She quietly thanked him as he pinched Rickard's cheek, earning a smile from her solemn little wolf. Gendry and Pia had been so loyal to her and to Jaime over the years that they had become almost a part of the family.

"Do you want to see the ship?" she asked Rickard, placing him on his feet, and keeping hold of his hand. She saw that Gerion was at the other end of the ship with Tommen, pointing at something far in the distance.

"This is the finest ship in the Free Cities," Julianna informed Rickard, having appeared at their side.

"Who told you that?" Sansa asked with a smile.

"Ser Addam Marbrand. He told me yesterday it was the grandest ship Lannisport had ever seen when Great Uncle Gerion had it made for his adventures in the Free Cities. Ser Addam is father's greatest friend and Great Uncle Gerion is father's favorite uncle." Sansa nodded as she listened to her daughter, fighting the urge to laugh. All three children had been quite impressed with Ser Addam and had asked him many questions about the Rock and his friendship with Jaime. Of course, Julianna would like any man who was a real knight.

Julianna stopped speaking suddenly and shrank back against Sansa in fear, clutching her little brother's hand. "What's the matter?" Sansa followed Julianna's line of sight and saw the Hound.

Sansa had not seen him since the night he and Ser Addam arrived at their villa. She had made the mistake of asking Ser Addam where Sandor had gone within Jaime's hearing and could see that her husband did not appreciate her asking after the man's whereabouts. Ser Addam had quietly informed her that Sandor had left the villa during the night – having delivered Tyrion's letter – and decided to wait on the ship for their departure. She could hardly blame the Hound for getting out of Jaime's way. But now that she saw him, she didn't understand why he would be on their ship rather than the one of the ships he and Ser Addam had brought with them.

"You needn't fear him, Julianna," Sansa whispered as the Hound noticed them and began to approach. She knew that her daughter must fear his scarred face. "You Uncle Tyrion sent him with Ser Addam to bring us home."

"Lady Lannister," the Hound greeted, a mocking tone to his voice. It was clear that the man did not approve of her marriage to Jaime. Sansa wondered if he considered it a betrayal of her family that her husband was a Lannister. The Hound looked at the children beside her. "These must be the other little…lions," he said with a smirk, no doubt recalling Gerion's sharp rebuke the other night at being called a "little bird."

"This is Julianna and Rickard. Children, this is Sandor Clegane. He serves your Uncle Tyrion. And he served your grandfather, Lord Tywin, before that."

Little Julianna, ever the lady, tried to hide her fear at his scarred face. "It's…a pleasure to meet you, Ser."

"I'm no 'Ser,' girl. I'm no knight." Sansa recalled a similar exchange with him years earlier. Before she could tell Julianna the Hound's views on the topic, her daughter forged ahead.

"Why are you not a knight?"

"Sandor…does not wish to be a knight."

Julianna's expression changed from that of curiosity to scandal. She plainly could not conceive of a man who did not wish to be a knight. The Hound knelt down to her level. "Not all men are meant to be knights, little lady. You're very like your lady mother, when I first met her many years ago."

"Clegane was your grandfather's dog, Julianna. We've always called him the Hound."

Sansa sighed inwardly at Jaime's words and watched Julianna scurry to her father's side, where she felt the safest. The Hound slowly rose to his feet, grimacing as if he had some injury.

"Take your brother and find Pia. She'd like to get your things unpacked our long trip North," Jaime told Julianna gently. The controlled rage in Jaime's voice was evident to both adults, though the children didn't seem to notice. Julianna took Rickard's hand and walked where Pia and Gerion waited to go below deck.

"He didn't mean any harm, Jaime."

It seemed her husband was in no state to listen to her. "I'll thank you to stay away from my wife and my children."

"We'll all be on the same boat for nearly a moon's turn," was all Sandor replied. "It's a long journey."

"Then perhaps you should choose another ship. There are three traveling to King's Landing."

"I assured your brother that I'd bring you safely to him. You and your children. And Lady Sansa. She's suffered enough at the hands of your family…your lady wife should return home unharmed."

Sansa turned to face Jaime before the two men came to blows, resting her hands on his chest. "Shall we help the children get settled? I know Rickard would prefer us with him, until he is more comfortable on board."

Jaime looked down at her and smiled, pressing his lips against hers and wrapping his arm around her waist in a clear display of ownership. She looked at him knowingly and his mouth quirked in acknowledgment as he turned away from the Hound and accompanied her below deck, leaving Sandor Clegane standing there alone. She saw Jaime glance back at him – in triumph no doubt.

"Was that really necessary, Jaime?" she said quietly, so only he could hear her.

He responded with a cheeky smile and pulled her against him as they walked. Sansa raised her eyes heavenward, pleading with the gods to keep Jaime and Sandor Clegane far apart.

...

Thank you for reading! I can't believe how long the story has gotten or how many followers and reviews it has. Thank you all so much for sticking with this story. I know where we're going and the ground I want to cover before the story ends. There are several chapters to go!

Next chapter: The Journey to King's Landing (Jaime and the Hound may not get along so well...)