Chapter Text
As much as they tried, they couldn’t get the pup to stop yipping from inside the box.
“It won’t be much of a surprise if she can’t stay quiet,” said Margaery.
Sansa grasped her beanie and groaned. “Let’s take it around to the backyard. Maybe Robb will let us keep her there.” She picked up the box, careful not to startle the little pup inside, and headed to the backyard followed by an anxious Lady.
At six years old, Lady was relatively old for a first time mother. Sansa should have expected this would happen one day, because she could never bring herself to spay Lady. It seemed cruel almost. And it was never a problem until she and Margaery agreed to keep Renly and Loras’s mutt Stag while they went on their honeymoon. The morning after the guys dropped him off, however, she found them doing it like, well, dogs. Lady wore the poor dog out.
Had Sansa realized how difficult keeping her nephew’s Christmas present a surprise would be, she would have bought him the model train. Too late now.
The backdoor curtains were closed, so Sansa removed the punctured lid of the box and peered at little Lyra. She was shaking, from fear or cold Sansa wasn’t sure. Likely both. Sansa sighed. She couldn’t keep her out here, but Lyra wouldn’t stay quiet enough to bring her in. Sansa stroked her gloved hand against the pup’s back, soothing her.
“You know, in some places keeping a dog in a box is animal cruelty?” said a familiar voice behind her.
Sansa smiled to herself and got off her knees. She turned around into an embrace with Robb. “I’ve missed you so much,” she squeezed him hard.
He chuckled. “I’ve missed you too, Sansa. You and Margaery should come visit more often.”
“We try. It’s hard for Margaery to get away, though,” said Sansa.
Margaery was the youngest person ever elected to the House of Nobles, thanks in no small part to her contributions in Renly’s ragingly successful first two years as president. His endorsement helped her crush her opponents in the election. Unlike most of the other representatives, who took vacations for months when council wasn’t in session, Margaery constantly found ways to stay busy with projects in King’s Landing. While that was great for the people and for her career, it left her and Sansa with little time. It was difficult enough to drag her up to Winterfell for this two week break.
Robb picked up the pup. She whimpered. “We can keep her in my office. Jacobey knows better than to go in there.”
He led Sansa in through the backdoor. His home was small and quaint, but nice. Perfect for a young family.
“Darling, I found Sansa. She was hiding out back.”
After Sansa tugged off her boots, she looked up. Robb’s wife, Talisa, looked down at her fondly. Sansa swiftly stood and hugged her good-sister. “It’s nice to see you again, Sansa. Are things well?”
She pulled back and smiled. “Quite well. How are the terrible three’s treating you?”
“They’re worse than the ‘terrible two’s’. The boy can hardly sit still,” joked Talisa. “Is that his present?” she pointed to the little pup cuddled in Robb’s arm.
“Mm-hm,” Sansa nodded.
“She’s cute. He’ll love her as much as he loves Grey Wind,” said Talisa. She walked to Robb and kissed his cheek. “Theon texted. He said “Wait til you see the smoking babe I’ve got with me’.”
Sansa stifled a laugh at Robb’s groan. “He’d better keep it pg-13 at the worst.”
The reminder of adult content brought her mind back to the woman she brought with her. “Where’s Margaery?”
Talisa turned back to Sansa. “She’s in the living room. Jacobey wanted to show her all his new toys. Poor girl. You should go save her,” then she turned to Robb, “I’m going to check on the ham. Dinner should be ready soon.”
“Yes, love,” he said.
Watching her brother, Sansa couldn’t help but think back to the rough start Robb and Talisa had. They met at a party shortly after his ludicrous fake relationship with Theon. The party turned into a one-night stand which turned into little Jacobey. Learning that Robb would be a father had been a greater shock to her parents than when Sansa came out to them. Her father could barely look Robb in the eye. Robb married Talisa not out of love, but out of a sense of duty. He could provide for her better than she could on her own, especially with his post-graduation job in the Department of Northern Control.
The two grew to love each other. It may not have been the kind of love Sansa felt for Margaery, but in a way it was. She was happy that he finally had someone who made him smile.
Lost in the memory, Sansa wandered into the living room. When she saw her girlfriend sitting cross-legged, hunched down next to her nephew with Lady lying between them, having her belly rubbed in front of the Christmas tree, a warm feeling burst in her chest. One day they would have their own Jacobey. She always wanted to be a mother, and knew that Margaery would make a great one as well.
Warm fuzzy feelings couldn’t last forever though.
“Sansa came down my chimney last night too,” said Margaery. The little boy’s face glowed in delight as Sansa’s flushed in horror.
“Margaery!” she shrieked.
Margaery smirked up at her. “Oh look, there’s Sansa Claus now.”
Arms held out, Jacobey hopped up on his footsie pajama covered feet and ran across the room. “Auntie Sansa! Auntie Sansa!”
“Jacobey!” she bent down and picked him up. “You’re getting so big! Soon you’ll be bigger than your daddy!”
Jacobey giggled. His dark curls bounced with the laughs. “Daddy said you came to our house last night! And you left me toys!”
Sansa gasped. “Did I? I don’t remember leaving you presents.” She carried him to the couch and sat him on her knee.
Jacobey smiled. “Yeah! He said ‘Sansa Claus comes every Christmas and leaves toys and eats cookies! See you brought me that truck and a dinoso!” He pointed to the toys in the middle of the rooom.
Margaery sat down next to them and rested her hand against Sansa’s other knee. Jacobey looked at her with excitement.
“Aunt Marggie, did Sansa Claus eat your cookies and drink your milk. She did here!”
Margaery’s trademark smirk returned. She looked pointedly at Sansa as she said, “Yes. Sansa Claus ate all my cookies, but I didn’t have any milk for her. She had to settle for my own special drink.”
Margaery’s eyes twinkled with mischief as her hand squeezed Sansa’s knee. Memories of their Christmas eve activities renewed Sansa’s blush. This wasn’t fair!
“How’s my favorite little man?” thundered Robb’s voice. He came over and plucked Jacobey out off of Sansa and held him high in the air. The boy giggled and kicked.
“Auntie Sansa says she doesn’t remember leaving me toys last night. Make her remember daddy,” said Jacobey.
Robb furrowed his eyebrows and looked down to Margaery and Sansa. “Why would Sansa be here yesterday?”
“Come on Robb,” smiled Margaery. “Everyone knows that on Christmas eve Sansa Claus leaves presents for all the good little boys and girls.” She laid her head on Sansa’s shoulder. “And I’ve been a very good girl.”
Robb glared at her. “Stop corrupting my son.”
Margaery sat up, pretending to be affronted. “I didn’t do anything! Sansa, your brother’s being mean. You should exchange his present for coal.”
Sansa rolled her eyes and wrapped an arm over Margaery’s shoulder, tugging her against her. “Shut up while you’re ahead Margaery.”
Robb put his son down and bent over. “It’s not Sansa Claus who comes to our house, it’s Santa. Aunt Sansa was sleeping last night when Santa visited us.”
“Ooohh,” said Jacobey.
Beside Sansa, Margaery nuzzled her head against Sansa’s neck and whispered, “Maybe here, but Sansa Claus came all night long for me.”
Sansa flicked Margaery’s forehead.
“Hey!”
“You had your warning, now be nice,” said Sansa.
Margaery crossed her legs and pouted. She looked so cute when she pouted. Her lips looked plump, kissable. Giving in to her base desire, Sansa kissed Margaery. She felt the Margaery’s surprise turn into elation when Margaery kissed back. Because Margaery is determined to make the most of every situation, nothing between them ever stays innocent. At least that’s how it felt when Margaery’s tongue glided along her lips.
“Ew!” cried Jacobey. “That’s gross!”
Margaery giggled as she ended the kiss then pressed her forehead against Sansa’s cheek. “It’s what adults do.”
“Adults are yucky!” said Jacobey.
Robb sat in the reclining chair and leaned back. “How’s life in the House of Nobles, Margaery?”
Her face lit up as it always did when someone asked about politics. “Quite well. When the House reconvenes, my committee is proposing a new law to provide tax breaks for orphanages throughout the Seven Kingdoms. We’re also looking into ways to reduce military spending,” she turned to Sansa, “Which reminds me, I have a video conference with President Baratheon tomorrow.”
It was Sansa's turn to pout. They agreed no work on vacation. “Margaery, you promised!”
Margaery sighed. “Think of it more as a friendly telephone call between my new good brother and I.”
Before Sansa could argue, the doorbell rang.
“It’s about time,” muttered Robb. He got up and walked out of the living room.
Noticing that Sansa was still upset, Margaery lifted her chin. Sansa looked straight into her beautiful amber eyes. Eyes that made her heart melt. Eyes that could do no wrong. Of all the things that had changed in the last four years, the way she felt when she looked into Margaery’s eyes never did. “It’ll be a short conversation. Barely any mention of politics, I promise.”
Sansa nodded. Usually Margaery was good for her word.
“Where’s the little bugger” shouted a voice that could belong to only one man.
“Unky Theon!” cried Jacobey.
Sansa turned in time to see the toddler jump into Theon’s widespread arms.
It had been ages since Sansa had last seen Theon in person. She had been texting him far more than usual lately because of her plans for today, but he wasn’t in Winterfell during her last visit. Their last face-to-face talk had been at Robb’s last birthday party. He had begun working at the docks back in March, and the benefits showed. He looked leaner and more toned than Sansa had ever seen him. For once, he also seemed fulfilled. Even in texts, she could hear how much happier he was with work than he had been with any of his previous jobs. Things were finally on the right track for him.
Since fake dating her brother, Theon had become an even closer friend to Sansa. He knew how to lighten a mood.
Initially, she didn’t notice the tall, dark haired woman behind Theon. She was quite beautiful. Could have been a model, really. Although she looked incredibly bored with the whole situation. When Jacobey jumped out of his arms, Theon stood back up and put an arm around his companion.
“Everyone, this is Shae. She, this is Robb and that’s his sister Sansa, and that’s Margaery,” Theon gestured to everyone.
Shae waved and smiled. “Hello. I am Shae. I’ve heard so much about all of you.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Although Theon hasn’t said nearly as much about you,” said Robb.
Theon and Shae squeezed in next to Sansa and Margaery. He gave a quick hug to Margaery, then leaned across her to hug Sansa. “I haven’t seen you two in
forever.”
“Yes, it’s been quite a while,” agreed Sansa.
Talisa walked into the room as sat back and slung an arm around Shae. “Talisa! This is Shae, my girlfriend.”
Shae glared at Theon. “Not girlfriend. Date.”
“I mean my date,” corrected Theon, but he winked at Robb.
Talisa came over and reached out her hand to shake Shae’s. “I’m sorry it’s so messy. That’s life with a three-year-old son I suppose.”
Shae smiled charmingly. “Children can be wild. I’m actually a nanny, so I understand.” When Shae looked back to the hallway, a she cried out in surprise.
Sansa whipped her head around. Grey Wind and Lady were finally making their way into the living room. With all the excitement, Sansa had forgotten about her dog. Then she remembered the little pup hiding in Robb’s office. She could imagine Lady whimpering outside the door, poking her nose at the gap underneath to reach her pup. The whine she let out when she laid her furry head onto Sansa’s leg only furthered her suspicions.
Margaery leaned forward and pat Lady’s head.
After a few minutes of idle chatter, the kitchen timer went off. “The casserole is done. Which means dinner is ready.”
Eager to eat, Jacobey got up and raced to the kitchen, with Robb followed closely behind.
No one seemed to notice that Sansa and Theon stayed behind. Even the dogs had gone. Theon slid over next to Sansa.
“Did you ask her yet?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’m waiting for the right time. Maybe after everyone opens their presents.”
He shook his head. “You can’t keep putting it off. You’ve been doing that for two months. You have to jump on it before someone else jumps on her.”
Sansa’s head jerked up, affronted. “Why? Has she said something?”
Theon laughed. “No, it was just a joke. But seriously, there’s nothing holding you back.”
Sansa looked at him, all seriousness. “What if she says no?”
Theon stood up. “The woman turned down Robb Stark, Elia Sand, and a lucrative job in Essos to stay with you. If she says no, I’ll give up sex for a month.”
Sansa followed him to the kitchen. “That’s not a long time.”
Bewildered, Theon spun around. “Not a long time! Bloody hell woman, do you have no libido?”
With two plates of food in hand, Margaery popped into the conversation. “She has a highly active libido, if you must know. It’s just been fully satisfied.”
Margaery gave Sansa one of the plates. She took her hand and led her to the dining room. They sat across from Talisa and Jacobey, with Robb on Sansa’s right and Shae on Margaery’s left.
Though it was a tight squeeze, the group made it work. Robb’s table was much smaller than the family table back home. Even then the table would be crowded. Holiday dinners always involved extended family, so Uncle Benjen, Uncle Edmure, Aunt Lysa and Robyn, and some of her father’s friends would always show up. Had her parents not been celebrating their 28th anniversary in Pentos, they would likely be eating at her parents’ house.
Still, the meal was perfectly lovely. Despite being a good cook herself, Sansa envied Talisa’s talents in the kitchen. Later she would need to ask about the recipe for these sweet potatoes. “This is amazing, Talisa,” said Sansa, swallowing a mouthful of food.
Talisa smiled shyly. “I’m glad you like it. There was a lot of experimenting that went into this.”
“Robb, Theon tells me that you’ve known each other for a long time,” says Shae.
Robb takes a drink. “Yeah. Since grade school. He was my first friend actually.”
“And his first boyfriend,” added Margaery.
Both men groaned simultaneously.
“Boyfriend?” asked Shae.
Margaery grinned wide and set down her fork. “Did Theon not tell you? For a short time, Theon and Robb were the most adorable couple.”
“I love this story,” said Talisa. She chewed off a piece of ham.
“Honey..” groaned Robb.
“Ssshh,” hushed Talisa. “Go on Margaery.”
Sansa rolled her eyes as Margaery recalled the story. Under the table, Margaery squeezed her hand. Now Sansa could hardly remember why she had gotten so upset. It was a story that always made her smile. Perhaps that was why Robb and Theon never got offended when Margaery told it. And Margaery told it every chance she got.
“Did you ever actually kiss him?” Shae asked when Margaery finished.
Theon vehemently shook his head. “He’s not the kissable type. I mean, just look at him. Would you kiss him?”
“Yes,” Shae deadpanned.
Theon blushed in embarrassment.
“If it helps, I wouldn’t,” said Margaery. “I only have eyes for one woman.” She leaned over and kissed Sansa’s cheek. Feeling everyone’s eyes on her, Sansa blushed. Thankfully, Jacobey was an attention magnet.
“Presents! Presents!” he cried.
Talisa reached out and sat Jacobey down. “I told you after everyone is done.”
“Oh, go ahead and let him open our gifts. Margaery can help me clear off the table,” said Robb.
Earlier, Sansa had texted Robb about her plans. This was his way of giving her the space she needed to get herself ready. He was sweet, thinking of ways to help her out.
“Mine are in the car,” said Sansa. “Theon, can you help me get them?”
Theon nodded. On his way out he brushed Shae’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back, beautiful.” Shae shrugged and continued eating.
Although Shae seemed decent enough, Sansa couldn’t see the relationship lasting more than a couple of weeks. Yet, she couldn’t find it in herself to tell Theon. She would be another in a long line of unsuccessful love trysts, but she trusted that if Robb could find someone, then so could Theon.
They bundled up and trudged back through the snow to Sansa’s car. She popped up the trunk and handed several boxes to Theon. She held on to the biggest, which had her name written on it, then picked up the smallest one. It was for Margaery.
“Which one did you get?” Theon asked.
Sansa twirled the box in her hand, examining the simple wrapping. “The white gold, black diamond encrusted one with petals on it.”
“Classy,” he said. “Expensive as hell though. You should have sprung for one of the cheaper ones.”
Sansa shrugged. She’d been saving for months before she bought the ring, hording every cent and buying cheap for the necessities. It was worth it. None of the other rings screamed Margaery: classy and extravagant, without being obnoxious. (Okay, maybe Margaery could be obnoxious, but usually she wasn’t.)
“It’s worth it,” Sansa said. “Come one, Jacobey’s present is already inside and is probably getting restless.”
Theon raised an eyebrow, but Sansa ignored him and walked back in.
At the door, Jacobey jumped up and down. “Toys, toys!” he shouted. Talisa picked him up so Sansa and Theon could get through. Unfortunately, Lady wasn’t as thoughtful, nearly tripping Sansa as she refused to move along. Sansa put down the surprisingly light big box in front of the tree and sat the little one on top of it.
“Toys! Toys!” shouted Jacobey. He went for the big box.
Before he could tear the wrapping paper, Talisa picked him back up. “Ah, ah. That’s Aunt Sansa’s. Yours is a special surprise.”
When Theon came back, he had his own presents as well. He handed one to Jacobey. “Merry Christmas, buddy.”
Ignoring his mother's caution to wait for Robb, Jacobey tore into the wrapping. “Cool! Bang! Bang!” Jacobey imitated the sound of the toy pistol.
“Really?” Talisa said incredulously.
“What? He likes it.” Defended Theon.
“I said no violent toys,” said Talisa.
At that moment Robb and Margaery came in, followed by Shae. Robb tried to turn around and run away upon seeing the scowl on his wife’s face.
Talisa noticed the reaction and crossed her arms as she glared at him. “You did this, didn’t you.”
Robb turned again and sighed. “It’s fake. It won’t do any harm.”
“And neither will you sleeping on the couch,” retorted Talisa.
Theon grinned. “Someone’s in the dog house.”
“Don’t let me get started on you,” said Talisa.
Margaery used the distraction to sneak next to Sansa and slip her arm around her waist. “The doghouse is going to be pretty cozy. Good thing they love cuddling so much.”
After everyone settled down, they opened their gifts from Theon. Robb and Talisa got a speaker set, which for once was a useful gift. For Margaery, he got documentary box set on the War of The 5 Kings. And, of course, he got Sansa a book. She smiled politely and thanked him. It didn’t matter that she already had three copies of The Asshai Chronicle. Theon was trying and it was hard to get angry over that.
Then Robb passed out his presents. Theon’s face nearly fell off when he opened the box to find an autographed baseball. “How did you meet Arthur Dayne?!”
Talisa smirked. “Let’s just say I know a guy who knows a guy.”
Margaery was less enthused with her gift. Not that it wasn’t a lovely scarf, but she’d already gotten two from her own brothers. Sansa would be more than willing to share the vintage Dornish wine that served as her gift though.
“Okay, it’s our turn,” said Margaery. She patted Sansa’s knee. “Yours is in a special place, Jacobey.”
Jacobey’s face lit up. “Where is it?!”
“Go follow Sansa Claus,” she encouraged.
Jacobey ran over and grabbed Sansa’s hand, tugging her off the couch. “Come on Auntie Sansa. Let’s find my present.”
Sansa led the way to Robb’s office. “It’s in there.”
Jacobey sped ahead of her and opened the door. “Puppy!” he shrieked.
The poor pup looked frightened at the noise, but sensed freedom. She scurried out of the office and to the living room. Jacobey chased her back. “Come back puppy!”
Sansa chuckled to herself as she walked back. She saw Jacobey snuggling the puppy against his chest while sitting in Robb’s lap. In her absence, Margaery had passed out the rest of the presents. Everyone opened theirs. They kept it simple. Margaery had found a Theon one of those beer drinking hats that held the can in the helmet. He loved it on sight, while Shae rolled her eyes. They would definitely be over soon, Sansa was sure of it.
For Talisa, she found a gorgeous pair of boots at a little shop in King’s Landing and made a scarf of her own for Robb. Both gifts were appreciated.
All that was left was her gift and Margaery’s. Sansa couldn’t wait anymore. She could feel herself shaking with nerves that hadn’t existed moments before.
Sansa cleared her throat. “You want to open yours-” she said at the same time Margaery said, “Let’s do yours-”
They both stopped. Margaery giggled as Sansa looked nervously toward Theon. He smiled back encouragingly. When she looked to Robb, he did the same. Although he hadn’t been as involved in the process, he knew that Sansa planned to propose. Her eyes finally landed back on Margaery, who was grinning so sweetly and kindly at her.
“I want you to open yours first,” Sansa stammered. Her throat felt thick, as if she couldn’t get enough air.
Margaery smiled. “Okay. I suppose we have to save the best for last then,” she teased.
Sansa took her hand and urged her to get up as they walked back to the boxes in front of the tree. Her legs felt wobbly, like they were wooden stilts. She looked behind her one last time for encouragement, then slowly picked up the box.
The smile never left Margaery’s face as Sansa handed her the box. “Am I going to find an IOU note in here like last year?” she joked.
Sansa shook her head. “Open it,” she said.
Margaery peeled off an edge of tape and seamlessly unwrapped the box. Under the wrapping was the little ring box. Margaery’s big beautiful eyes somehow grew wider when she realized what it was. Her hand flew up to her mouth as she looked between Sansa and box. “Is- is this.”
Sansa gently took the box from Margaery and inhaled deeply. For that moment, the rest of the world wasn’t there. It was just her, Margaery, and one lingering question. Her eyes never veered from Margaery’s as she said, “Margaery, I remember the first day I ever saw you. I was eating lunch by myself at some little café that I don’t even remember the name of. You sat down in the seat across from me and just started talking. I remember thinking how could someone so kind and so intelligent and so interesting take notice of a girl like me,” Margaery opened her mouth to protest, but Sansa continued, “You’ve been my best friend for six years now. Somewhere along the way I noticed how beautiful you are. I know that’s the first thing most people notice about you, because gods you’re gorgeous, but I didn’t really notice it until I found you sleeping on my couch in the apartment in October five months before we got together. That was actually the moment I realized I was bi. I don’t think I ever told you that. You looked so beautiful, so peaceful with your hair messed up and your nose crinkled,” Sansa tucked a stray hair behind Margaery’s ear as Margaery blushed. “I never thought you could want me back, not until you asked me to be your Valentine so many months later. Every day since that first day we met, I’ve been falling deeper in love with you Margaery. You’ve always been the one to take leaps of faith with our relationship, from asking me out, to kissing me, to…other stuff.” Somehow she was still aware of the presence of a minor in the room, though she couldn’t have said how she was. She flipped open the box and held it out toward Margaery. Margaery gasped at the ring, once more looking between Sansa and the box. She slowly picked it up. “Now it’s my turn to take a leap of faith. Margaery Tyrell, I love you. I couldn’t imagine ever loving anyone else the way I love you. You’re the only one I want to see waking up beside me every day for the rest of my life. Will you please do me the honor of marrying me?”
Margaery slid the ring on her finger and admired it. But she didn’t respond. Sansa swallowed. Every millisecond felt like an eternity.
Finally, Margaery looked back at her. “Yes! Yes, gods of course I’ll marry you!” she smiled. Relief flooded Sansa’s senses as she wrapped her arms around Margaery and met her for a kiss. Margaery’s arms tightened around her neck as she lifted her new fiancé off the ground. The sound of clapping and cheering and Jacobey going “Ew!” never registered with Sansa. All she knew was that she was marrying the love of her life.
When she put Margery back down, Margaery’s giant smile only made her own grow. Remembering the other people present, Sansa turned to look at the rest of the room. Although Jacobey had apparently lost interest in favor of his new puppy, who was being watched closely by Lady, everyone else looked happy too. Shae gave her a thumbs up, and even Robb was able to look happy.
“Well, I’m not sure how my present is supposed to follow that up,” joked Margaery. She got down on her knees next to the giant box. Sansa joined her. It didn’t matter if Margaery had only gotten her a piece of blank paper, she knew that she would love it.
Margaery nudged the box toward Sansa. Sansa ripped into the paper and opened the box. For a moment, she thought that perhaps she had been right and that there was only paper in the box, because it was filled with just tissue paper. It wasn’t until she had pulled all the paper out that she noticed the little box at the bottom.
It was Sansa’s turn to act surprised. Her mouth dropped open. She reached down and pulled out a little black velvet box, the same size as the one she had just given Margaery. The grin on Margaery’s face said it all. With quivering hands, Sansa popped open the top, revealing a gorgeous rose gold ring encrusted with sapphires, set with a single diamond.
“I-I’m sorry,” were the first words that found their way out.
Margaery giggled. “Why are you sorry?”
Sansa looked back up from the ring. “I ruined your surprise!”
This time the entire room laughed. Margaery crawled over and cradled Sansa’s face in her hands. “Sweetling, I don’t care about that. It doesn’t matter which one of us asks. It’s not like that changes anything. But I must double-check. Sansa, will you marry me?”
Sansa nodded, her face still caught between Margaery’s hands. She surged forward and kissed Margaery hard. After several lingering kisses, she pulled back. She picked the ring out of its box. “It’s beautiful.”
“A beautiful ring for a beautiful girl,” whispered Margaery. “It’s a new band, but the stone was the one that my father used to propose to my mother. You two share similar tastes in jewelry.”
Margaery gently coerced the ring from Sansa’s hand. Holding the hand up, Margaery slid the ring onto her wedding finger. “It’s a perfect fit. Merry Christmas, my love.”
Reminding Sansa she and Margaery were not in fact alone, Robb cleared his throat. “With the nitty-gritty out of the way, there are some important questions that need to be answered. Like who’s the best man going to be.”
Margaery and Sansa looked at each other and nodded. “Loras,” they said in unison.
Robb scoffed. “After everything I’ve done for you, all the entertainment I’ve provided over the years, all the support, you choose some pretty boy over me.”
“I’ve beaten you by miles in entertainment,” said Theon.
“That’s true,” said Sansa. She slipped her hand into Margaery’s and led her back to the couch. She couldn’t resist running her thumb over the top of the engagement ring. Everyone would know that Margaery was hers.
“Well, you two can fight for maid of honor. Unless Arya wants it,” suggested Margaery.
‘What about me?” asked Talisa.
“You’re married, you can’t be a maid,” said Theon. “And neither can Robb. So I’m it.”
“Then you’ll have to wear dress and console me when I get all emotional,” said Sansa. There was no way Arya would want maid of honor, so Theon was as good a choice.
“Just make sure it matches my eyes,” said Theon. His date did not look amused with the joke, but wore a fake smile to placate him when he grinned her way.
Later that night, as Sansa and Margaery drove back to the hotel, Margaery laid her head against Sansa’s shoulder. Lady was out cold in the backseat, tired from hovering over her pup the whole night. Sansa kept her eyes trained on the road, watching for ice patches.
“How does ‘the future Mrs. Stark-Tyrell’ sound to you.” Margaery asked.
Sansa half-grinned. “It sounds perfect.”