Madonna Inn | San Luis Obispo, California | Saturday | April 14

[therewaslife]

So, it was Bod and Kate's one year anniversary. And, after research and thought, Bod had decided to whisk them both away to a hotel that looked to be both luxurious, fun, interesting and far, far away with the issues they were both currently facing. The Madonna Inn was something Bod had stumbled onto accidentally, really. He'd been trying to find something new and different for he and Kate due to this being such a big anniversary and he hadn't been able to resist the allure of something like the Madonna Inn. He'd been saving money anyway for this day so it was easily affordable and he hadn't told Kate a damn thing about the inn besides the fact that she had to pack a swimsuit, had to be ready to be open minded and couldn't be mad if he kept this a secret for her.

They'd already both gawked over the outside of the inn and now Bod was actually leading them down a quaint trestle bridge to their room. The specialization of the rooms was something he'd loved about the Madonna Inn and after a lot of thought, he'd chosen this specific room for their anniversary. He hadn't been able to resist. And this room along with the other amenities, dining choices, and other activities the hotel offered would hopefully make a great anniversary outing for the both of them.

If Kate didn't like it, well, he'd book her into the jungle rock room and let her have her fun there. But, he thought she'd like this. He already liked it, after all.

[For the aforementioned anniversary mate and some serious SP!]

Comments

[vanillajello]

Kate had only just seen the exterior of the inn, and she was already pretty fucking thrilled. You could tell by how wide her eyes were as she took everything in.

"There's a bridge to our room."

Yes, Kate. Bod was probably aware of that.

[therewaslife]

"There is," Bod agreed with a little laugh. "Is that a good thing? I thought it might add to the weekend, having a bridge to our room. It's almost like a castle, isn't it?"

[vanillajello]

"It is!" Kate enthused. She might be doing that kind of a lot in the next few moments. She clung to his arm and grinned. "Have I mentioned yet that I love you?"

[therewaslife]

"You haven't but I know you love me," Bod said, reaching for the doorknob of their room. "I love you too. Happy anniversary, Kate. Ready to see the room?"

[vanillajello]

"Yes."

Look, he was lucky she wasn't literally bouncing. Everything just looked like perfection when you'd been spending some time in Kansas pretending to be an adult with a house.

And this day meant they were a whole damn year away from those catastrophically no good four months, and even further away from the bad decisions that had led to those shitty months.

"Open it!"

[therewaslife]

Bod laughed and delayed opening the door a bit longer by kissing her cheek and nuzzling her cheek.

And then he opened the door to reveal the room they'd be staying in. He was pretty proud of the choice, honestly. He beamed at her, feeling even more pleased that he could make her feela bit better for a few hours.

[vanillajello]

He'd have reason to keep feeling a proud for a while longer, for sure. Kate managed to take a step into the room but then she stopped to take it all in.

"Oh my God."

The room was just... surreal and princessy and ridiculous and awesome.

[therewaslife]

"It's called the Love Nest," Bod said, grinning at her. "Every room in here has a different theme and I thought this one fit us and the occassion quite well. Do you like it?"

[vanillajello]

"I adore it." Though not as much as she adored him, right about now. Which she was showing by turning around and launching herself at him for a hug. "It's... awesome."

[therewaslife]

Bod caught her in that hug and returned the embrace just as tightly. "Good, that's what it's supposed to be. You've been dealing with so much these last few months that I thought you deserved something...luxurious. And I couldn't pass up the novelty of themed rooms."

[vanillajello]

"You big dork," Kate said, affectionately, as she kissed his cheek. "Thank you. It's great. It's totally ridiculous, but great."

[therewaslife]

"Go look around," Bod laughed, glancing around the room. "I know it's not huge so that won't take long but go get your bearings while I bring the bags in like the dutiful boyfriend I am."

[vanillajello]

Kate laughed and kissed his cheek again before she let go of him – to basically skip around the room, peering more closely at details and just generally acting pretty excited. Easy, since she was.

She clasped her hands together in delight, peering up from the bottom of the spiral staircase.

[therewaslife]

It was just nice to see her look so excited. That was reward enough. Bod brought in their bags and closed the door before leaning back against it so he could watch her.

"We'll have to take a lot of pictures," he said, grinning. "In between other things, we can take pictures to take back to Kansas. You can show everyone that I've added dork to my mild mannered ways."

[vanillajello]

Kate leaned against the bannister and snickered at him. "Oh like they don't all know you're a dork already."

Said the girl who was all but bouncing because everything looked a little like a Barbie dream home.

"But yes! Lots of pictures."

[therewaslife]

"Happy anniversary, Kate," Bod said warmly, still just enjoying being able to watch her look so carefree and excited. "Here's to many more with you."

[vanillajello]

"Aww." She hopped off the stairs (she hadn't gotten further than two steps up) so she could cross over to him again, reaching out for his hands. "I love you, my dearest darlingest Nobody. Happy anniversary."

[therewaslife]

"Thank you," he laughed, lacing their fingers together and coming towards her. "Did you want to go up those steps? You seem drawn to them."

[vanillajello]

"I'm drawn to everything," Kate countered with a chuckle, drawing one of his hands upwards so she could press a few light kisses on his knuckles. "I mean it's kind of amazing I'm managing to be still right now."

[therewaslife]

Bod chuckled again and glanced around. "You don't have to be still, Kate. We're here to enjoy ourselves, to do things and be with each other. If we don't sleep, well, we don't sleep."

[vanillajello]

"You say that now, but I bet you'll still be randomly dozing off at some point." Oh like she and her lazy napping ways wouldn't. "Sounds too ambitious."

[therewaslife]

"Me?" Bod asked, laughing. "Who's the one who apparently fell asleep with a potato chip in her mouth in some other place far, far away?"

[vanillajello]

Kate laughed, mock incredulous. "Hey," she exclaimed, "that Kate had a tiny energetic boychild to look after! That's an entirely different thing!"

[therewaslife]

"It still happened!" Bod said, laughing again. "Face it, you love sleep far more than I do. You'll fall asleep before I do! We can bet on it, if you'd like."

[vanillajello]

"Making bets isn't romantic." Also she knew it was a bet she'd lose. "And if I fall asleep before you, I bet it's 'cause you've worn me out and we're cuddling."