N/A: So... This idea popped up in my head and I just couldn't let it go. I hope you enjoy an independent Sansa.

I actually thought about this after seeing a fanart with Jon all tattooed. Like... Yep, that looks perfect. hahahaha

This is, of course, about more than the romance, it's about recovering from the past and how family and friendship influence us. So I truly hope you guys enjoy it.

When I pictured the street where the shops are I thought about the Temple Area in Dublin. I lived there for a while and I love the cobblestone streets that are so narrow and charming.

Also, English isn't my first language (I'm Brazilian), so I apologize in advance for any mistakes (I suck at using prepositions). A friend tried to help, but I'm not sure how much it worked... hahaha

Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1

Sansa Stark could have never predicted where her life had taken her. She'd grown up in a big wealthy family, full of love, support and a bunch of people putting their noses in her business.

She loved it growing up, especially because she'd been the princess of the house. She'd been on that fast track to success and a position on her family's company.

Then she realized she didn't want it. Any of it.

She didn't want to spend her life locked away in an office, even if it was with the family she loved so much.

Sansa had never stopped to think about it before, she was just sure that she wanted to work with her father and siblings at Winterfell for the rest of her life. She went to the University and studied Law.

However, the longer she spent there, the unhappier she became. She managed to find two stupid boyfriends, who tried to shape her into what they wanted.

She was thankful, though. Harry and Joffrey had been two fucking arseholes, but they showed her that she didn't have to bend herself out of shape just to please people.

Even if these people were her family and loved her dearly.

She didn't want to work in the office. She wanted something different.

Sansa was very aware that if her father hadn't helped her, she never would've made it this far. She also knew that most people didn't have what she did, so she made two promises to herself: she'd repay her father and she'd do something for other people.

She'd seen in on the news: a café franchise in the UK where costumers could leave something paid for the homeless. That was what she wanted.

So Sansa Stark opened The Winter Rose café on a May afternoon, in the White Harbor area. Her whole family had come to congratulate her and she loved the place so much.

She made it hers, not even stopping to think if it was ridiculous or strange. She wanted the café to be a reflection of her, so she chose everything and it was ridiculously girly and adorable.

Arya said that it looked like a Disney's princess had thrown up on it.

Sansa loved it exactly because of that. Besides, the tourists really liked the cute cups and her frilly aprons.

On the second day, the door opened and a girl with honey brown hair entered her café.

Before Sansa could have even opened her mouth to say anything, the girl fixated a look on her and said, "So you're the one who stole my flowers."

Sansa had frozen, mouth open. "What?" She finally asked.

"Roses, darling." The woman rolled her pretty blue eyes. "Roses are my thing."

"Excuse me?" Sansa finally recovered enough to reply properly. "Who the hell are you?"

Sansa never was this rude –even when a person deserved it –but seriously? Was this woman seriously going to fight with her over flowers?

Then –to her complete shock –the other woman just threw her head back and laughed. "Good, you have some fight in you. I'm Margaery Tyrell, I'm the owner of Highgarden."

Oh. The flower shop two doors down.

"I am… Sansa Stark." She was still feeling confused about this whole interaction.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sansa." Margaery grinned at her.

"The pleasure is mine." Sansa replied, more as a reflex than anything else. "So… Are you angry at me or not?"

Margaery laughter was musical. "No, darling. I was just teasing you." She assured Sansa. "Welcome to the street."

"Thank you." Sansa said politely.

"Hey, today after 8 we're all meeting at The Free Folk." Margaery informed her. "All the other store owners nearby. You should come too."

Now Sansa felt touched and truly grateful. "I will. Thank you for inviting me, Margaery."

"Sure thing, darling. Love what you've done with the place." She made a gesture encompassing the whole room, before walking to the door. "Tomorrow I'll bring you some flowers, as a welcome gift."

Sansa felt herself blushing at the gesture. "There's no…"

"See you at 8, Sansa!" And she was gone.

XxX

So Sansa went to the pub.

("The Free Folk Pub, where you come in, have fun and get out smelling like patchouli" Gendry Waters had proclaimed to her that night.)

She met the other shop owners of the street: there was Tormund, the owner of the pub; sweet Gilly, owner of the Miss Gilly's Dresses, and her husband Sam; Gendry Waters, who had inherited Blacksmith Auto Shop from Tobho Mott; Ygritte, the redhead who ran The Wildling Tattoo Studio; and –of course – Margaery Tyrell, the flower girl.

They were a tight-knit bunch and Sansa never expected to feel so welcome anywhere but at home.

With time, she got to know them all: gorgeous outgoing Margaery, whose family was ridiculously wealthy, but still liked to run her own shop. Her brothers all looked like Disney princes and behaved like them as well.

Ygritte was as much of a wildling as her studio claimed. She had a devil may care attitude that reminded Sansa of Arya, and the worst mood ever before the first cup of coffee in the morning.

Tormund, who claimed that his pub was called "The Free Folk" because he was a descendant of the true free folk of Westeros, was married to Brienne, a giant of a woman who kept him in line.

Gendry Waters was an orphan who'd been fostered by the late Tobho Mott, who taught him all he knew about cars and motorcycles, then left him his auto shop.

Gilly and Sam were the most adorable couple ever. Sam was a doctor, but he tried to be around to help his wife as much as he could. His practice was on the second floor of Gilly's shop. Though Gilly sold different types of clothes in her store, she was a great seamstress and could make the most amazing dresses.

Sansa really felt like she'd found home.

N/A: Let me know your feelings!

xoxo