SANSA
A date for the trial was finally set and as the date drew nearer, Uncle Benjen found more and more fun activities for them to do to keep Sansa's mind off of it.
Her days were filled with picnics and bike riding at Central Park, strolling through the High Line, dabbling in golf and gymnastics, jumping into foam pits, and even taking a go at ice skating at the Chelsea Piers.
But Sansa had to admit that her favorite past time was spending hours swimming in the private pool that her uncle paid for her to use.
"I'm so tired," she happily sighed when she returned home one evening after hours of practicing flips on a trampoline, then cannon balling and diving into an enormous foam pit, followed by an intense dodge ball face off with the other kids at the Chelsea Piers gym.
"Well you've been going nonstop all day. It's only expected," Uncle Benjen said.
"I'm doing rock climbing tomorrow," Sansa eagerly announced.
"You should try out HEMA," Jon suggested.
Sansa wrinkled her nose. "No thank you. That's for you and Arya. I'm not into getting attacked with a blunt sword." She grabbed an ice cream bar out of the freezer.
"We're flying down to Sacramento this weekend for you to pack the items and clothing that you will keep," Uncle Benjen stated. "So make sure that you put together a light carry-on."
"Oh good," Sansa said excitedly. "I've missed my things so much. Especially my laptop."
"Have fun," Jon said. "Don't return with your entire closet and then some."
"Aren't you coming?" Sansa asked.
"I'm flying to London for a few days," he informed.
"Why?" Sansa wanted to know, then she remembered about his adopted family. "Oh, okay," she said awkwardly.
"Sansa, adopted families aren't a bad thing you know," Jon stated.
Sansa shrugged as she retreated to her room to change out of the outfit that she had worn out.
After changing, she went to Uncle Benjen to ask for permission to use the computer, but he answered before she could get a word out.
"Yes, Sansa. You may use the computer," he said.
Sansa flashed a huge grin. "Thanks!"
Within minutes she was typing eagerly:
Dear Sandor,
Are you still in California? I'm flying down there Friday night. You have to make time in your schedule to come over to my old house and see me. Or else I don't know when I'll get the chance to see you again. If you do come, hopefully I don't flutter into the front of your truck. Speaking of trucks, I forgot to ask, did you ever get your own back?
Your excited,
Little Bird
She shut down the computer happily, before going to the great room to watch some TV.
It was close to midnight when she made her way to the terrace after showering and brushing her teeth. "I'm so bruised from dodge ball," Sansa said as she slid into her sleeping bag.
"Poor you," Jon grunted. "My brain is bruised. I have been listening to lectures all day."
"Bet you still know nothing," she teased.
He reached his arm out of his sleeping bag to tickle her neck.
"Stop!" Sansa gasped between giggles, trying to wriggle away. "I'm going to bite you if you don't stop."
"Animal," Jon feigned offense.
"Shut up," she told him, before snuggling back into her sleeping bag.
Sansa found nighttime difficult to get through. Not only did the quiet of night allow her to dwell on the guilt that she felt over the death of her family. He killed them because of me. But the looming trial was triggering terrible flashbacks that robbed her of any peaceful sleep.
She had yet to take the pills the psychiatrist had prescribed to help her sleep, afraid that the potency would leave her trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake until the drug wore off.
So she lay there, with her hound tucked against her, staring up at the city lights blazing all around until a troubled sleep finally claimed her.
Friday arrived soon and Sansa gave Jon an enormous hug as she and Uncle Benjen prepared to head to the airport. "When are you coming back?" she inquired. He was leaving for the airport on Saturday.
"I will return next Friday," he told her.
Sansa couldn't help her pout at knowing he wouldn't be home when she returned. "Okay," she finally said, dejected. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," Jon said as he embraced her again. "Love you."
"I love you more," she told him, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Several hours later, Sansa was staring out of a window watching the ground grow smaller and smaller as the airplane took flight.
Within minutes they were soaring among the cotton candy looking clouds. She settled back against her chair. "I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when we land," Sansa told Uncle Benjen as she shifted into a comfortable position. She fit her noise canceling headphones over her ears and shut her eyes.
"Are we here?" Sansa yawned and stretched as she stood up.
"Come on, slowpoke," Uncle Benjen said as he retrieved their carry-ons from the overhead.
She stuck her tongue out at him as they exited the plane with the other passengers and made their way inside the terminal.
"Are we going to the house after checking in at the hotel?" Sansa inquired.
"I thought we might get something to eat first," Uncle Benjen suggested, as they slowly made their way through the crush of fellow travelers, maneuvering to the front of the airport where they waited for the uber Uncle Benjen had called.
"I've missed it here," Sansa sighed. "Especially the weather and the palm trees. The beaches. Everything." They were in the uber, gliding through the pristine streets as they headed towards the hotel.
Uncle Benjen looked at her. "You'll get used to New York. It takes time."
"I love New York. It's exciting. But I loved it here too." Sansa chewed her lip nervously.
Uncle Benjen gave her a sad smile. "I know the past couple months have been really difficult for you. Hell, the past four years actually. I'm sorry about that. No kid should have to go through all of that mess."
"It's not your fault," Sansa said. "You've been my favorite part of the last couple months. You, Jon, Arya, and Bran." It's all Petyr's fault, she thought. Everything always came back to Petyr.