Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Chapter Twenty One

Rose had made sure Aunt Bea was alright before she went and did her shopping for the day.  Rose had gone to the mall in hopes of finding the necklace Aunt Bea loved.  It was a heart shaped necklace that had the initial B on it.  She always wanted to have one to put a picture of her and Rose's mom in it.  They were the best of friends and the best sisters.

Aunt Bea also wanted a romance novel.  Those were the only two things Aunt Bea had wanted this year.  Within an hour Rose had found those two items plus another book and Aunt Bea's favorite quote written on a block.  It was time to shop for Andrew and Rose wasn't entirely sure what to get.

She decided to get him a ring with an A on it.  She knew he'd wear it especially since it was his initial.  Rose also found a cute apron that she had to give to Andrew for fun.  It was a men's apron and it had an A on it as well.

Rose went to one last place in the mall and tried to find a Broncos hat.  Andrew was a football fan and that was his favorite team.  Rose thankfully found an awesome hat for a reasonable price.  She bought it and headed out of the mall.  She wanted to get him one more thing, and she knew just where to find it.

Rose went to a local store that sold signs and found what she was looking for.  It said, Keep Calm because I'm a Mechanical Engineer.  Rose knew that was what Andrew dreamed of becoming and so she bought it.  Rose realized that it was a simple Christmas with several small presents, but she knew it would be enough for Andrew. 

Satisfied with her three hour trip, Rose headed home.  As she was driving her phone started to ring.  She picked it up out of its holder and answered without looking at the caller ID.  "Hello?"

"Hey Aurora," the voice said.

Rose didn't recognize the name and when she pulled back, she didn't recognize the number either.  "Who is this?"

"Oh come on, really baby?  You already forgot about me?" the voice said again.

"Goodbye," Rose said as she went to hang up.  

Before she could the voice said, "It's Christian."

Rose thought about it for a moment.  She didn't know a Christian, but it sounded familiar.  Where had she heard it before?  Suddenly a realization came over Rose and she snapped back, "How did you get my number?"

"I have my ways, sweetheart," Christian replied.

Rose hung up the phone before she could hear or say anything else.  This Christian guy way creepy and she wasn't sure what to do about him.  She was a little scared that he managed to get her number.  She only hoped he wouldn't find out where she lived.

As Rose pulled into her driveway, the phone rang again.  It was the same number and Rose declined it.  It called for a third time and this time, Rose blocked the number.  She did not need some creepy guy hitting on her.

Rose shook the moment from her mind and carried her things in.  She unlocked the door and took it all to her room.  She almost had a heart attack when she heard something shatter on the floor.  She turned around to see that she had knocked over the vase that sat on the entry table.  Thankfully it was an old vase and one Aunt Bea didn't like.  Rose didn't feel as bad as she would've if it was her aunt's favorite.

Rose carried everything to her room and set them on the floor.  She hid the presents for Andrew and left the one's for Aunt Bea under a blanket.  She left her room and made sure Aunt Bea was still okay.  She was sleeping soundly and Rose closed her door as quietly as she could.

It was one in the afternoon and Rose had some grocery shopping to do.  She cleaned up the broken vase before she left.  It was a beautiful vase and Rose still felt bad for breaking it.  She must not have been watching what she was doing, and it made her sad.  Aunt Bea may not have liked it but Rose did.

She shook the thoughts from her head and headed out the door.  She locked the door and turned to walk to her car.  It had began to snow and the air was freezing.  The walk to the car was a slippery one, considering Rose's whole driveway was covered in ice.  She carefully made her way towards the car and made it in without slipping.  Rose pulled out of the driveway and was off to the store.

When she got inside, she looked around and wondered what to cook for Andrew.  She settled on a simple chicken and mashed potato dinner.  After she had her items for dinner and the next two weeks, Rose checked out and headed home.  She napped until four thirty, when she needed to start dinner.

By five thirty dinner was done and Andrew was staring at it with hungry eyes.  "This looks amazing, Rose."

"Thank you," Rose replied.

They ate the first few bites in silence and Andrew looked at Rose.  "You are definitely the better cook."

"I think you are," Rose answered.

"No, you are," Andrew replied.

"I think the both of us are amazing cooks.  How about that?" Rose said.  She knew that both of them were able to cook amazing meals.

Andrew rubbed his chin and smiled.  "Alright, I can settle for that.  We both are the best cooks."  They finished their dinner and cleaned up together.  Rose had taken some to Aunt Bea, but she was sleeping.  Rose woke her up and told her to eat, but Aunt Bea wouldn't.

"Fine, I'll come back in an hour.  You'll have to eat then," Rose told Aunt Bea.

She saw her nod slightly and Rose walked out.  She sat back down at the counter with Andrew.  She needed to tell him about what happened today.  "You'll never guess what happened today," Rose said.

Andrew looked at her and questioned, "What?"

"You remember that guy I told you about the other day, Christian?  The one that hit on me at work?" Rose asked.

Andrew's jaw tightened slightly as he replied, "What about him?"

"Well he called me today, three times.  He somehow got my number and it's kind of scaring me a little bit," Rose answered truthfully.

"He what?  Well did you answer?" Andrew said, a hint of jealousy and anger in his voice.

"I answered the first time but not the other two.  I ended up blocking his number."

Andrew's jaw was no longer tight and his face relaxed.  "Oh, good."

Rose nodded and bit her bottom lip.  "I'm just worried he'll find out where I live.  I don't want to have to deal with that."

Andrew put his hands on Rose's knees and said, "If he shows up at your house, call me.  I'll help you."

Rose put her hands on Andrew's cheeks and smiled.  "Thank you, Andrew.  I knew I had to tell you."

"I'm glad you did.  And I promise I won't let him lay a finger on you.  No way, no how," Andrew replied.  He smiled and gave Rose a hug.  "Now, what movie should we watch?"

"A movie?" Rose questioned.

Andrew nodded and raised an eyebrow.  "Yes.  Unless of course you don't want to watch a movie."

Rose shook her head.  "No, a movie is fine.  I just wasn't expecting it."

"Oh okay.  Now let's go pick one."  They walked into Rose's living room and began their search for a movie to watch.

Aunt Bea's POV

Two hours and A Nightmare Before Christmas movie later, Rose lay on Andrew's lap, sleeping.  Andrew was laying against the couch, fast asleep as well.  Aunt Bea was in her bed, barely breathing.  Her body was in pain and she ached.  She knew it was getting close to her time.  She just hoped she could make it until Christmas.  Aunt Bea had to force herself to stay alive.  It was hard, and she would rather die, but she was holding on for Rose.  It was for her sweet niece, Rose.  If it were her decision, she would've been gone weeks ago.

But Aunt Bea didn't want to break Rose's heart before Christmas.  It was only three days away.  She could make it.  After three days, Aunt Bea would be free of her pain.  She just had to hang in there.  It was for Rose.