Catelyn let him lead her, and managed not to flinch at the grasp on her hand, to not feel as if the fingers entwined were a trap, keeping her from getting away. She wanted to take relief in no longer having to worry that even the smallest things could be a way to catch her, to kill her, to hurt her family, but such things were easier said than done after so long living a life in constant hiding and danger. But she managed now to let hand-holding be nothing more than holding hands and to allow Ned to lead to whatever it was he wished to show her.
She had not been expecting the room of unpacked boxes, nor the particular item he retrieved from one of them.
“Our wedding album?” Catelyn asked, surprised at the gesture as well as the fact that the album had survived everything. Perhaps it was a sign. She looked over the photos as Ned held it open; the sight of the guests, of the candid shots as well as those framed and posed by the photographer. Dressed all in white, flowers dotting a braided bun underneath a pearl-dotted veil, her bridal self looked young and apprehensive and hopeful. No scars of any kind.
“And you looked as if the suit was trying to choke you,” Catelyn observed wryly, “But handsome also” Her fingers hovered over the image of the two of them side-by-side. “And neither of us had any idea we would have Robb so soon….”
Ned couldn’t help but smile when Catelyn sounded surprised at the mention of their albums. He wasn’t expecting such a reaction, in honesty, he expected a negative reaction. However, it was a heartwarming reaction and one he desperately wanted. There needed to be some reminder of their past selves and Ned could see it in her face now as she looked at the pictures, a smile spread across his face.
“I thought you would’ve liked to see it. It’s collected a lot of dust...” Not that Ned blamed Catelyn. After all it was a long time and they believed he was dead. He didn’t blame her for packing everything away and trying to move on. Sometimes, somethings were too painful.
“It was trying to choke me, I hated that thing that night.” But there were too many other positive memories to remember that day. “Your dress... I’ve always loved that dress and the flowers in your hair.” He remembered being shocked, happy, ecstatic, and overwhelmed with emotion in a matter of seconds. “And we’d start our lives together.” Ned’s fingers grazed over her hand.
