SANSA
The next morning was one of the sweetest that Sansa recalled in a long time. She awoke with the sky scrapers standing tall and proud outside of the glass walls of her room, and the sun peeking brightly through the gaps that they offered. There was joy in her heart that was matched only by the huge grin that wouldn't leave her face.
After a shower, she dressed in one of the outfits that were folded in her luggage, before leaving her room. The great room was at the other end of the sprawling gallery and even from her spot in front of the room door, she could gaze at the beautiful view of New York City's skyline and skyscrapers.
She walked straight down the gallery before turning right into the kitchen which was next to the great room. Uncle Benjen and Jon were already seated and their eyes lit up when they saw her. Sansa had never felt so special as she beamed broadly and took a seat at the island stool. The aroma of fried eggs, french toast, bacon, and pancakes graced the air, and after a long and heartfelt hug from her uncle and brother, her uncle spoke.
"We weren't sure what you would prefer for breakfast so Anna cooked a variety," Uncle Benjen informed her, nodding his head towards a plump and petite lady that had turned towards Sansa holding a plate stacked with pancakes, and another stacked with fried eggs and bacon. There was already a plate of french toast on the island bar along with an assortment of fruits, and a large jar of orange juice.
"What would you like, dear heart?" Anna asked her. Her eyes were filled with kindness and open curiosity.
"Pancakes, please," Sansa answered.
The cook smiled as she placed the plates on the bar. "Pancakes for the little beauty," she announced with a wink. As Sansa ate, Anna studied her with interest. "Your uncle and brother have been talking about you all morning. 'Most beautiful girl in the world, our Sansa' they told me. I could see that they were right. The happiest I've seen them in a long time. 'I'll bring my sister home' Jon has been telling me ever since he received your letter. 'I'll bring my sister home, you just watch.' And here you are!" Anna was beaming happily, her eyes looking suspiciously misty.
Sansa felt touched by the cook's kindness, but also unsure of how to react. Uncle's Petyr's cook had never spoken to her much. She had been kind but never nosy. Uncle Petyr liked for his staff to know their place. There was obviously a different protocol here. She smiled. Father had been kind to the house staff too.
"When you're done eating, would you fancy looking at some photos?" Jon asked, and Sansa was once again caught off guard by his accent.
Uncle Benjen had mentioned that Jon had been living in London for a while, but the fact hadn't really registered with Sansa until she heard Jon's accent, so different from what he sounded like when she last heard him speak. Now she listened in fascination as he spoke, tucked up together on the couch as they look at old photos after breakfast. Beneath the accent and the changes induced by puberty, she could hear a lingering trace of the boy she once knew. She giggled as she looked at a particular funny photo of her and her siblings dressed up in costumes as they put on a play.
"I reckon we were some cute cherubs," Jon said, grinning.
Sansa grinned back and told him that she envied his accent, and giggled again when he rolled his eyes.
Uncle Benjen joined them a short while later and the three of them sat chatting, laughing, and smiling warmly at photos that brought up fond memories.
"Look at Arya!" Sansa squealed, pointing at a photo of her little sister. In it, the dark haired little girl with the impish smile sported a fake mustache, fake painted on muscles, and a dramatic unibrow with a bandana tied over her head. Her sister looked ridiculous, but Sansa's heart swelled with love all the same. To see their faces again was so bittersweet...
Jon's arm wrapped around her as if he was attuned to the direction her thoughts were heading.
She turned to give him a grateful smile, and in her moment of vulnerability, the shock of how much he resembled their father hit her anew. Her breath hitched painfully as tears leaked down her face and she burrowed into him for comfort. With his dark hair and grey eyes, if Sansa closed her eyes long enough, she could almost convince herself that it was Father's arms wrapped protectively around her.
Once her tears were spent, the three of them devoted time to binge watching comedy movies. The constant laughter and silly plots helped lift her mood considerably. And after a full day spent with the ones she loved most, she realized guiltily that Uncle Petyr was all alone back at home. And most likely still worried sick.