Chapter 15

New Year's Day

New Year's Day by Taylor Swift

There's glitter on the floor after the party / Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby / Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor / You and me from the night before, but

Don't read the last page / But I stay when you're lost and I'm scared / And you're turning away / I want your midnights / But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day

You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi / I can tell that it's gonna to be a long road / I'll be there if you're the toast of the town babe / Or if you strike out and you're crawling home

Don't read the last page / But I stay when it's hard or it's wrong / Or we're making mistakes / I want your midnights / But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day

Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you / Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you / Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you / And I will hold on to you

Please don't ever become a stranger / Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere / Please don't ever become a stranger / Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere

There's glitter on the floor after the party / Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby / Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor / You and me forevermore

Don't read the last page / But I stay when it's hard or it's wrong / Or we're making mistakes / I want your midnights / But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day

Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you / Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you / Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you / And I will hold on to you

Please don't ever become a stranger / Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere / Please don't ever become a stranger / Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere

Sansa - January 1, 2020, 1:00 AM

Sansa sat in the backseat of the vintage Rolls Royce with Jon's arm around her, her head on his shoulder, and her hand in his free one. She kept replaying the memories of that night in her mind. She finally married the man of her dreams.

They had decided on a small, intimate ceremony in front of the water at Rattlesnake Lake. It was Jon who suggested they marry on New Year's Eve, so that he may start his new life with his wife in a new year. Instead of rushing through wedding decisions and finding a dress within less than 3 months, they decided to wait until the next year and Sansa took her time with every little detail to make it perfect.

Twenty-five of their closest friends and family were there. Arya and Margaery stood by Sansa's side and Robb and Gendry by Jon's. Ned had tears streaming down his face when he saw what a beautiful bride his eldest daughter made. He walked her down the aisle to "At Last", squeezing her arm tightly to his side. The moment she took Jon's hand and settled next to him at the altar, she felt like they were glowing and radiating love. His sweet vows brought tears to her eyes just as her vows did to him. They said their "I do's" and their first kiss as husband and wife seemed to make all of their surroundings disappear.

Everyone loaded onto the awaiting party bus and it took them to the Stark's house. Sansa could think of no better place for the reception, in the waterfront backyard of her childhood home and they had no 10:00 or 11:00 curfew like public venues. The wedding planners set up the reception beautifully, with big farm tables and chairs across the lawn. A large dance floor was placed in the middle and string lights crossed overhead throughout the whole backyard. More invited friends arrived and the wedding reception grew.

After Jon and Sansa took pictures in the woods near the house, the DJ announced the newlyweds to loud cheers from their loved ones. Their first dance was like they were dancing on clouds. Her bouquet was caught by her very tall friend Brienne. Jon took off Sansa's garter with his teeth and his friend Tormund nearly tackled guys to grab it in the toss.

The night wore on and soon everyone was counting down to midnight and the New Year. Glittery confetti rained down on them from poppers as their guests celebrated as they kissed. Hold on to these memories, Sansa thought to herself, replaying that scene in her mind like it was a movie.

They stayed and said goodbye to their friends as they began to slowly stream out. Finally it was just the Stark family left. Sansa showered them in hugs, thanking them profusely for putting together their perfect wedding. Jon took her hand and led her though the house towards the front door; Sansa could see the gold glitter and confetti tracked inside by guests on the hardwood floor. They passed a table covered with Polaroids of silly poses from their rehearsal dinner the night before and she smiled as she glanced down at them.

Jon helped her into the vintage Rolls Royce, got in beside her, and the driver took off for their hotel where they would spend their wedding night. Tomorrow morning, they would be leaving for their honeymoon in New Zealand. They drove along the dark roads towards Seattle and Sansa thought about their future. She's always had a bad habit of reading the last page of whatever new book she read, too impatient to find out how it ended. There was a part of her that wished she could do that in her life with Jon, see them in old age, living in love for a lifetime. But then she came to realize that she wanted to take the long road and be surprised as they lived their lives. The ups and the downs, the easy times and hard, the mistakes and the proud moments, the kids. She couldn't wait to start this new chapter of their lives together, whatever may come.

Jon suddenly squeezed her hand gently, bringing her out of her sweet reverie. She looked up at him and his eyes were shining in the dark. Even after all these years, he still looked at her with awe. He placed his hand under her chin to raise her lips and kissed her sweetly.

"Are you ready for our life together, my wife?" he whispered.

"For everything, my husband." She kissed him lightly. "You and me forevermore."