Got One-Shots Book 2

Divorcee (Eddard "Ned" Stark x fem!reader) Modern AU

(mentions of divorce and custody arrangements)

When Ned and Cat got divorced, Ned was certain he'd never date again. After all, he had been with Cat since high school. They had five children together, plus two adopted children, his nephew Jon and a young boy Theon. When Cat had decided she couldn't take Ned working so much, Ned felt his world collapsing. He didn't know what to do. He was the best father he could be when he was with his children, but when he was alone, Ned was miserable. That is, until he met you.

Ned had met you quite by chance one of his weekends without the children. It was rare for him to take time off when he wasn't with the children, but for some reason, Ned felt the need to step away from work for a bit. He took a stroll in a nearby park. Unfortunately, he wasn't watching where he was going and walked right in the path of a cyclist.

You couldn't stop in time. "Look out!" you cried, but it was too late. You crashed right into the man in your path. You tumbled to the ground, thanking whatever god there was that you had worn your helmet that day. You quickly untangled yourself from your bike and crawled over to him. "Are you alright?" you asked him.

Ned began chuckling. "I am. It's only my dignity that's hurt." You laughed with him as the two of you worked on getting up. "You're not hurt, are you?" he asked. You shook your head. "No, all good." Ned smiled softly. "Good. I am sorry for interrupting your ride." You waved him off. "Not at all. I'm really sorry for just plowing into you like that. I really should pay more attention. You could have seriously been hurt." Ned shrugged, but you continued, "How about you let me buy you a coffee? As an apology." Ned thought about it for a moment before he nodded. "That sounds wonderful."

That one coffee "date" had lead you to a real one. It didn't seem to matter to you that Ned was older and had basically seven children. And, after the first few dates, it didn't bother Ned either. He realized that it was foolish to put a possible relationship in jeopardy just because you were younger than he was. You were still an adult and could make your own choices. And your choice was Ned.

Soon, it became a weekly thing for the two of you to meet up and do something together. Before you both knew it, you had been together nearly a year. Unfortunately, Ned wasn't sure how much longer it would last. He had been thinking for weeks as your anniversary approached and he just knew that, once he brought up what was on his mind, you'd run for the hills.

You were currently curled up next to Ned on your couch, watching a movie, but Ned was quite obviously distracted. "Ned? Everything okay?" Ned looked down at you where you were resting your head on his shoulder. "I don't know." Your brows furrowed and you paused the movie. "You know you can talk to me about anything...right?"

"I want you to meet my children!" Ned blurted out suddenly. You blinked in surprise before a smile stretched across your lips. "Is that what you've been so worried about?" Ned nodded. "Oh, Ned, I'd love to meet them." Ned was shocked. He really thought you'd be petrified of meeting his children. He thought you might not have been ready for it.

"That means meeting Cat too, right?" you asked. Ned nodded, but kept his eyes glued to your face. You didn't look the least bit upset or scared by his admission. "Look, Ned, I want to meet them all, even Cat. They are part of your life and you're part of mine. I want for all of us to at least try to get along. And I certainly don't want our relationship to stand in the way of your relationship with your children. Ever."

Ned breathed a sigh of relief. He had been really scared you would leave him because of this. Yet, here you were, pleased as punch that he said what he did. Now, as his next holiday with the children drew near, Ned was feeling more excited than ever. He'd take you with him to meet Cat and the children the day before the holiday began. Hopefully you'd all get to know one another and Cat would have no objections to you being around the children.