Marry me?

Crucial A/N: Well, this is the end of Story Arc 3: Power Base. Hope you have enjoyed the ride. However, I have a few MAJOR announcements to make at the end so please, do read the author notes at the bottom when the time comes. In the meantime, have fun with this one.

EDIT FROM OCTOBER 27TH, 2020: Made a particularly important addition to the final scene after I realized it wasn't in the final draft I used. It's incorporated now and as far as plot points go, it's a very important one for the future. Enjoy:

Jon froze at the abrupt but loaded question. He stared at her with a look that was hard to read and took a moment to compose himself before answering. When he did, his tone of voice was tactful.

"Sansa," He said slowly, "I love you. I really, really do. But are you sure you are not just saying that because your emotions are high after we just passionately did the deed?"

Sansa lifted her head from the pillow and stared at him right the eye. "What I am sure of, more than anything, is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you," She replied her tone firm, with a touch of longing. "I want to love you in the open, knowing that I will be loved by you in return. I want to...bear your children," She whispered as she started to tear up, "And raise them alongside you in our ancestral home. Jon, I don't care about the fact that you are my brother. I beg of you, use your new powers somehow to make people okay with our marriage, and then make an honest woman out of me."

"I..." His voice trail off and Sansa could tell he choked up on a rush of emotions. "I want to. By all the gods in every world, I want to. But..." He broke away, unable to hold her stare.

Sansa sighed, realizing what was going on.

"My honorable brother did promise himself that he would avoid making wishes that affect the free will of people on a wide scale," She thought silently. "I guess he is struggling with how to keep his word while following his desires. And mine."

Then, she grinned as she remembered something.

"Tell you what," The Lady of Winterfell in exile said with a grin. "Don't answer me right now. First, I want you to realize that I have actually been giving this a lot of thought in the week and a half you have been away."

With that, she reached for the satchel she brought with her to this brand new world on the nightstand. And when Jon raised an eyebrow once she brought out a long piece of parchment, she started to explain.

"Despite my terrible experiences with betrothals," Sansa began, "I knew I was going to have to marry properly at some point after we dealt with Ramsey because I have been desiring Northern independence from the Iron Throne for a while now and, back when I thought I was the last one left of my family, I knew it was going to need to produce heirs if I managed to become Queen of the North. So, I have actually been analyzing many Northern Houses in secret for a while now in order to examine my best prospects of a political marriage. Preferably with someone that I could at least get along with," She added. "

"But, after we kissed each other at the top of the Wall," She went on, her cheeks slightly flushed at the memory, "I started writing down my research on the matter. In the end, I went through the 38th biggest Northern Houses, and to tell you the truth, my prospects were pretty bleak," Sansa admitted. "Most of them fell into one of four categories that made a match difficult if not impossible: the candidates from the more powerful Houses would try to usurp me if they were heirs to their respective lines, the weaker Houses wouldn't be able to offer much to Winterfell, some younger sons around my age among the mightier Houses may have been a more sensible choice but most of them were killed in the War of the Five Kings and during the Bolton's reign of terror; or finally, the candidates would simply be way too old for my tastes."

Jon's eyes widened at her thoroughness and started to see where she was going. But Sansa continued before she gave him a chance to speak.

"So, I expanded my research," She revealed. "In order to gather a list of the 4-6 biggest houses from each kingdom in search of a potential match, despite not being my main preference by then."

Then she laughed, amused at how things were turning out. "In retrospect, I was way too generous with those parameters. I did place a higher priority towards the Vale and Riverlands, where I have strong familial bonds and established military alliances. Still, in most cases, a match simply wasn't likely, or even flat-out possible for a number of factors. And after all of that, do you know what I discovered?" She stressed. "That even without counting your new godly powers that are tied to me, you were still a better political and romantic suitor for me than all the dozens of prospects from my list. And let's be real, how could we not count the benefits that your new abilities would bring to our position in Winterfell?" She added.

Jon said nothing for a very long moment, speechless in more ways than one. Then she delicately placed the parchment in his hands.

"See for yourself," She pleaded. "I am going to go bathe myself in the pool. When you are done, please meet me on the ground floor.

And with that, Sansa grabbed a bikini and left Jon alone with his conflicting thoughts.

About half an hour later, Sansa had finished drying herself with one of the high-quality towels she had found. Then she took a deep breath and walked back inside, trying to hide her nervousness.

Soon, she found her beloved brother sitting on a couch on the ground floor, the parchment unscrolled and clearly read by his side. He had a pensive look on his face. So much so, in fact, that Sansa wasn't sure if he had noticed her enter the room at first but then he looked up at her and smiled lightly.

She stared at him for a moment in what she hoped looked like confidence, then placed her hands on her hips and asked him what did he thought.

Jon interlocked his fingers before answering.

"I think," Jon replied, "That I have never been more aroused by the implications of a piece of paper."

Sansa grinned at that. "I believe that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about one of my labors."

Her brother chuckled briefly. Then, he turned serious, his eyes earnest and...guilty. The redhead frowned. "So, what's the problem?"

The new god sighed heavily, then snapped his fingers. Suddenly, the enchanted necklace he had made for her appeared in his hands at that moment, following its creator from their room in an instant.

"The problem is that I have something important to say," He responded. "And I would appreciate it if you knew for sure that I wasn't lying."

The Lady of Winterfell in exile paused at that, starting to feel worried but hurried to pick up the Direwolf shaped necklace and put it on. Jon remained quiet for a moment, clearly considering where to begin. When he opened his eyes, he looked uncomfortable.

"Remember when I told you that the god that granted me my abilities said he was going to add additional rules to these vast powers eventually that I would be made aware of later on?"

Sansa nodded, blushing slightly. "So, I take it we have had enough sex by now for those rules to get explained to you, right?"

"Yes," Jon said as he rubbed his forehead. "And you are not going to like it. The block concerned the rules regarding resurrecting loved ones."

The redhead's blue eyes widened but said nothing, waiting for Jon to explain himself. And so he locked his gaze with her.

"The only way I can overcome that block on my powers and start using it to revive those we have lost will be by having children," Jon said. "For every new child of mine that is born, there will be one person we can revive. The thing is...the wall around those powers won't finish shattering until I have had my first child with not one but five women that share my blood."

When Sansa realized that her necklace was not tingling the back of her neck with the notification of a lie, she remained speechless for a long moment and Jon became unable to meet her gaze, ashamed.

"What...?" She asked in shock.

"You heard me," The new god said with a sigh. "Apparently, this being doesn't think I can call myself the **** God if I only take one relative for a wife. So, you see Sansa, that's why I have been hesitating. I love you, I really do but if we ever want to bring our family back together, then that is going to have to be the price and I couldn't agree to marry you without letting you know what you would be walking into."

"I...appreciate that," Sansa said slowly. "Are you sure there is no other way?"

Jon shook his head. "I tried to wish for Robb's revival either in full or by altering the past but my wishes hit a wall every time I tried."

"I see," Sansa replied, uncertainty in her tone of voice.

"So, now you know," Jon said with a sigh. "Believe me, the last thing I want to do is break your heart. Not after everything we have shared. And of course, we don't have to focus on reviving our dead family members for a time, or at all if you don't want to. We could just start over and let them stay on the other side. But I need you to understand that while I would gladly use my powers to make it acceptable for us to get married if that's what you truly want, I refuse to bring bastard children into this world and have them suffer that mark of shame as I did. So, if we were to do this, and I am not doing it if you don't agree as well, then I am also going to have to use my abilities to make it acceptable to have 5 wives. I am sorry."

For a long moment, Sansa said nothing she just stood there, thinking deeply about what she had said while staring at his guilty face. Then she shook her head and got closer to her beloved brother embracing him deeply.

"This isn't your fault," She said firmly. "It's just the card we have been dealt with. And believe me, I am okay with the price if we can finally reunite our family again."

John exhaled sharply. "You mean it?" He asked, his voice thick with emotion. "You are not disgusted with me?"

"I couldn't be disgusted with you, brother," She said with a sniff. "I love you and I can see telling me this was so hard for you. For what is worth, know that it isn't cheating if you have my permission."

He hugged her more tightly. "It's worth more than you know. I couldn't bear you looking at me with betrayal and disappointment."

"Then let's make sure we both agree with who we are going to bring into our marriage before any new ceremonies, shall we?" She asked with a smile.

"Anything for you," Her brother declared. "Thank you. This feels like an enormous weight lifting from my shoulders."

They remained in each other arms for a long moment. Smelling each other's scents as they comforted each other. Eventually, they broke off and Jon had a determined look on his face.

"I really do want you by my side, Sansa. So, since the feeling is mutual and I don't want to bring any child of mine the shame associated with being a bastard..."

He stood up and opened his palm. The Lady of Winterfell in exile gasped when she saw a golden ring with multiple diamonds at the top, beautifully carved into the shape of a flower. Before she could ask what was up with that, Jon began his explanation.

"I know our wedding ceremonies in the North are usually a simpler affair than in the South," He started. "And in many ways, I enjoy their simplicity. But during my travels across the worlds, I stumbled upon one tradition I would like to adopt if it's all the same to you: to commemorate the formal beginning of the betrothal with a ring...and a most important question."

And with that, the new god, potentially powerful in ways that Sansa could not even begin to understand, knelt before her. Her heart skipped a beat right then and there but even that couldn't stop the wide, loving smile that was growing across her face. Jon offered her the ring with one hand and looked up at her with more joy in his eyes that she has ever seen.

"Sansa Stark," He said with reverence, "Would you marry me?"

Sansa couldn't stop herself from crying in happiness as she offered him her hand.

"Of course I will, you ridiculous fool," She sniffed.

Jon looked at her as if she had answered his prayers, which only made her feel more adoration given the circumstances. Then, he tenderly placed the ring on her left hand and rose up.

And finally, she kissed the man she had bound herself to with all the love and passion that she could place into her lips.

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A/N: Well, that finally happened XD

Thank you for your patience and support on the road to this moment. I know it has been more plot-centric than usual for the standards of this website. Now, as I said, I have some very important announcements to make.

First, this is the end of the third Story Arc. I will still add the sequence from the alternate branch that leads through the other pocket dimension door from a few chapters back, but that will be stand-alone. I will also have a special treat for all of you lovers of this time of year: a very important Interlude chapter between this arc and the next one that will also serve as my Halloween Special. If all goes well, I should have that one finished soon enough.

However, after that and the contest-winning chapter for Freeking is posted, which may still take nearly a week depending on some factors, then I am taking a break from writing.

You see, I have a few things to take care of at work before December. Plus, I want to make some selective rereading of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels to refresh my memory (since it has been a long time I read the books) and therefore improve upon the plans of my outlines. I already have overall ideas for a few dozen chapters after the start of Arc 4 but I want my outlines a bit more detailed and iron-clad. In other words, as I start to draw more inspiration for certain things from the books that don't conflict with the TV series, I want to take some time off to plan my ideas properly.

Now, I will probably still read a bit of Chyoa content 2 or 3 times a week and check my notifications then. Maybe even reply to a few comments if they catch my attention. But I wouldn't be posting new chapters until about late November to early December, depending on how fast I take care of the things I want to do. If all goes well, however, expect quite a few chapters to be posted for the holidays.

So, just putting it out there so you are aware of the reason for my extended absence after posting so many chapters these past 2 months. And finally, in case any of you are interested, I actually based the list of potential suitors Sansa was analyzing on a brilliant, brilliant post on Tumblr called Find Sansa's Husbands. I recommend it to any fan of Jonsa that is hoping the two of them would at least get together in the books before the series ends. Here is the link:

istumpysk. tumblr .com/ post /615957223588364288 /find-sansas-husband

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the final act of Story Arc 3: Power Base. If you did, please leave a comment. I would love to read some additional feedback.

Until the upcoming Halloween Special!

EDIT FROM OCTOBER 27, 2020: The additional rule the nigh-omnipotent from the introduction gave Jon in this one regarding additional impregnations is a personal addition of mine. The other writers don't have to abide by that rule if they don't want.