Rose of Constance

Chapter Twenty Nine - Getaway

Once I was home, Dan laid me down in my bed and took my heels off. I grabbed his hand

"Stay with me." My voice was small like a child, vulnerable. He nodded, he took his jacket and shoes off then got in next to me. He never let me go.

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The next morning I was up early. I changed into some comfy clothes and made myself some coffee. Since the plan was to stay with my father for the month of December, Arissa was at home with her family back in England. She couldn't make it back for the funeral.

"Morning." Dan greeted groggily.

"Morning, there is coffee in the pot." I tell him he makes himself a cup and came to sit across from me

"Thank you for staying with me last night."

"You don't have to keep thank me. I'm your boyfriend and I love you." he takes my hand

"How about, i go get changed and then I go grab us some breakfast?"

"That would be nice, than...." i stop but give him a small smile. he kisses my head takes a gulp of his coffee and leaves. I go out onto the fire escape and look out. God I just didn't want to be here right now. I finished my Coffee and went back inside. I was smartening up my room when I came across something. he was peeking out from the chest of draws, it must have got caught up when my things were moved in here. I picked it up. An old card from my father.

'Happy, Birthday Sweetheart. Love Dad." Attached to the card was a key and a picture. I smiled running my fingers over it. When I was 15 I made this joke that for my birthday I wanted a Lodge retreat in Canada. A place to escape Chuck's antics and his womanising ways. I never meant anything by it, it was a off handed comment in a rare conversational dinner with just the three of us. When our birthday rolled around not only did i get my monthly check deposited into my account but I also got this. He had bought it and had it in my name. I never went, but father told me had its up keep paid for. There was a name and phone number on the back. I grabbed my phone and called it.

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Dan came back just as I got off the phone with the caretaker.

"Hey, so I got some cream cheese and salmon bagels, with muffins and...."

"How do you feel about spending Christmas alone with me?" I questioned not letting him finish

"Did I miss something."

"You offered for me to spend Christmas with you and I would love that but I can't be here right now. I need to clear my head spend time where no one knows me or what just happened. I know you planned to spend Christmas with Jenny and your Mom in Hudson but what if you came with me instead?" I offered him

"And, And where would we even go? Are you even sure that's wise." I slid the card with the key and the photo.

"That is my Cabin in Canada. It's simple, not flashy or Upper East side. It's exactly what I need." I told him as he picked up the card

"You have a Cabin in Canada. Why am I not surprised?"

"Because it's something a father would spoil his child with. You don't have to come, I won't be offended." I reassured him.

"I...i don't know. I went out for breakfast and came back to a holiday away."

"Dan, you have been my rock and I can't thank you enough. You don't have to decide night this minute. But I think it will be good for me at least to not be in New York." I take his hands in mine.

"Go, think it over. Speak to your parents, if you want and can come I will be standing outside at 8. I will wait five minutes if you come that is great if not then I will see you in the New Year no hard feelings or anything like that."

"You're seriously going to do this?" he asked me and I nodded

"Impulsive moment. Go, i have some calls to make." I sent him off

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3rd Person

The day after the funeral was a busy day. Everyone had plans of their own. Dan spoke to both his parents who were happy for him to go. Jenny dragged Dan with her to the Waldorfs they stepped out of the elevator.

"Hi. Is Eleanor Freaking out? I have her jacket." Jenny breathed

"Is that Jenny Humphrey? Where are my clothes!" Eleanor called from upstairs

"Yeah, she's freaking out. Oh, Dan, do you mind waiting here for me?" jenny asked

"Sure, but don't take too long. I have somewhere I need to be." he told his little sister who nodded and ran upstairs. Dan went to talk to Aaron and Serena

"I carried the garment bag" He informed them

"I'm gonna check up on my Dad." Aaron informed Serena and then left the two alone.

"So where is the somewhere you need to be?" Serena questioned folding her arms.

"Rosie and I are spending Christmas in Canada. She doesn't want to be here and apparently she has a cabin there." Dan answered her

"Wow, first Christmas as a couple." she nodded then looked down

"Yeah, is it weird that as soon as she mentioned it I immediately wanted to say yes but when I spoke all that came out was a question?" Serena laughed and looked back up. she stopped and all that was there was a smile

"You really do love her, don't you?" he didn't say anything they both already knew the answer "It's weird I've spent what two years ignoring the looks the little things that happen with you two. Even when I saw the kiss in the courtyard and when you were officially together. A part of me was like maybe one day." she took a deep breath

"Yesterday, when we found her in her Dad's office, you had this look. You looked as if you had been delt this terrible blow. In the time we've known each other I've only seen you look like that once before."

"When was that?" he inquired

"When she relapsed. We found her on the stairs. I thought nothing of it till recently." she replied thinking back to that time.

"Serena, we need your fashion advice. Hi Humphrey, what are you doing here?" Blair came down and noticed that Dan was there.

"He carried the garment bag." Serena answered

"I did, yeah."

"Alright, come on S." Blair went back upstairs and Serna followed

"Talk after the holidays?" she asked him

"Sure." Dan waited 10 more minutes and Jenny finally came down. They made their way home. Dan packed his things including his present for Rose.

"I'm  ready."

"Okay, your sister is leaving on the late train and I'm taking off for a few days." Rufus told his son.

"Everything, okay?"

"Yes, it's great now go, don't keep the lady waiting." Dan grinned and left. Rose stood outside and the car pulled up. The driver took her bags

"Ready?" she grinned hearing his voice. Dan handed his bags to the driver and took her  hand, they both got in the car and drove away.