"This feels like a really long trip just to go to a spa. I really don't get any more hints than that?"
Ryan fiddled with some ankle weights so he could keep up with a modified version of his seated exercise regimen. He and Scott had packed up last night, four days' worth, and left the city early this morning. Ryan knew this was his much hinted at birthday trip considering Valentine's Day, also his birthday, was the day after tomorrow. Frustratingly, "going to the spa" was the only hint Scott had given him for over a week. And they'd already been in the car for almost two hours now.
"We are going to a spa," Scott said good naturedly. "We're just not going to one in the city. Don't worry, we're maybe half an hour out right now."
Outside the car window the scenery sped by, and there was still a touch of snow left on the ground under the shadows of trees. Winter wasn't quite over yet, and the air still had a bit of a bite to it if the wind kicked up. Ryan didn't have the foggiest idea of where they were going. This certainly wasn't the way they went to go to the beach. He'd tried to look up a map on his phone, but it didn't help at all. It seemed patience was the only way he was going to get any answers today.
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"That's it there!" Scott pointed to a smidgin of ornate roof peeking from the top of bare trees far from the road.
Ryan shifted to see it better, but it disappeared as Scott turned off the main road at the entrance to the mystery building's grounds. The gravel path, barely big enough for two cars, wound its way through dense woodland that would have no doubt been spectacular had there been leaves on the trees. Then suddenly, Scott took one final turn and they were driving by acres of manicured lawn, with ornate gardens in the distance that surrounded an impressive building that reminded Ryan of a mansion.
"That's a spa?" Ryan asked.
"More of a countryside health resort, but yup!"
Ryan studied the place as they made their way closer. It was at least three stories tall, maybe four, and as the road circled the building an equally impressive lake came into view, along with a huge greenhouse that joined the building via a covered walkway. Already at what must have been the entrance, attendants and staff were gathering to greet them.
Ryan couldn't help but gawk a little as Scott finally pulled the car into the designated loading space. Male and female staff alike wore matching and well-kept uniforms, and were quick to jump into what must have been their pre-determined tasks. At least Scott kept his wits about him. Before Ryan knew it, one of the staff had already pulled his walker out of the back seat, set it up, and opened Ryan's door for him.
"It's alright, I'll help him out of the car." Scott said.
Ryan hadn't even noticed that Scott had gotten out of the car in the first place! He'd much rather have Scott's help anyway. If he stumbled, it would be less embarrassing than clinging to a stranger. Scott came around and helped Ryan out of the car without incident, and they were led into the main entrance, with a short detour to the access ramp.
The inside was even more impressive than the outside. Ryan caught himself letting his jaw hang open as he took everything in. Paintings and embroidered tapestries hung on the walls, all of peaceful landscapes and woodland scenes. The floors were of some golden colored wood polished so bright you could see yourself in it. And roses were everywhere. Every flat surface large enough boasted an arrangement made of red roses. There was even a piano in the corner with a small vase of red roses on it, though no one was playing it at the moment. Were they really going to get to stay in a place as fancy as this?
"It's nearing the time for luncheon," one of the resort's staff broke Ryan's mesmerization. "Would you gentlemen prefer to take it in your room, or in the dining room?"
"What do you think, Hot Stuff?" Scott directed the question to his fiance. "You want to eat in the room, or in the dining room?"
"Honestly? Can we go to the room first? I feel kinda stiff from the car ride."
"Shall I show you to your room then?" the staff member asked, though it sounded more like a statement than a question.
And so, they were taken a short way from the main entrance to an elevator, which sported beautiful wood paneled doors to blend in with the décor, and were taken up to the top floor. The hallway was long enough that Ryan definitely felt the need to rest by the time they reached their door, which was actually on an offshoot of the main hallway at a dead end. They were shown inside and Ryan caught himself gawking again.
This was way nicer than any hotel room. Though honestly, Ryan had only been in a hotel one other time. The motif of the entry way was carried through to here, with no less than three vases packed with red roses. French doors led to a balcony which overlooked one of the gardens, and a king-sized canopy bed dominated the space. Another staff member was in on their heels with a lunch menu and instructions to dial the kitchen via the room's phone when they were ready to order, and behind that staff member was yet another with their luggage on a trolly.
Ryan was more than happy to flop face-first on the bed once everyone finally left. Scott sat beside him, and started rubbing his back.
"Are you feeling sore anywhere?" Scott asked.
Ryan stretched with a groan, but made no move to actually move. "A little, but I'm really more stiff than anything."
Ryan turned down pain medication, but gratefully accepted Scott's offer to help with some of the mobility exercises they'd learned. Now loosened up and a lot more comfortable, Ryan was more than happy to peruse the lunch menu with Scott.
After a refreshingly light lunch, which had been brought to the room and set up on the room's table with all the pomp and air of a gourmet meal, right down to the white tablecloth, lit candle, and yet even more roses, Scott and Ryan did the only reasonable thing to do. They unpacked, then cuddled up in the bed, snoozing until it was time to dress for dinner.
Dinner itself was an absolutely grand affair. Ryan initially played along with the whole dressing in a suit and tie thing, but when one of the staff came to retrieve them and lead them to the dining room, dressing up suddenly made perfect sense. The dining room was huge. No less than five chandeliers hung from the ceiling, plus crystal sconces along the wall. There was a piano in this room as well, occupied by a talented pianist as far as Ryan could tell. There were already a few couples seated at the intimately small white linen covered tables, and here too the theme of fresh red roses and candlelight prevailed. They were shown to their table, given menus, and Ryan's walker was placed against the wall out of the way. Once again, Ryan caught himself taking it all in with a slack jaw.
"So, what do you think?" Scott asked. "I was impressed with the online photos when I made the booking, but it's a little more impressive when you're in the middle of it, right?"
Ryan dropped his voice low, almost conspiratorial, "Cuddle Bug, is a place like this really okay for a birthday trip? It feels like it's very expensive..."
Scott laughed. "We have plenty to celebrate though! Your birthday, Valentine's Day, the progress of your physical recovery... Besides, most of the fun starts tomorrow. Over the next few days we've got couple's yoga, massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and I even managed to rent a golf cart so we can go around the lake together. Trust me. You and I both need some pampering after everything that's been happening. Plus, it's all a really good excuse to spoil you. When we get back to the room there should be a service menu somewhere, so if you see anything on there you want to do that I don't already have scheduled, let me know!"
Ryan couldn't help but blush with the warm feeling that rose up in him. If you'd asked him point blank if he thought he deserved any of this, he'd deny it. If you offered a trip like this to him six months ago, he'd have turned it down in a heartbeat. Scott had a way of phrasing things though. It was hard to say no to the occasional luxury when it so obviously made the person you loved happy to see you enjoying it. So sure, he was going to let himself take Scott up on his offer. Besides, Scott was definitely right about one thing. They could both use some fun.
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Their first full day at the resort started with breakfast in the greenhouse, which was every bit as cozy and vibrant as one would have liked considering it was still early enough in the year to be cold and dreary in the morning. Then came their first couple's yoga session.
It wasn't private. Ryan saw last night that they weren't the only group here, but there were two other couples in the morning's class. He and Scott did get more one-on-one help though. There were a bunch of the poses Ryan simply couldn't do, but luckily the instructor was a skilled one and there were plenty of modifications they were able to guide them in to make sure both Ryan and Scott got the most out of the class. Though, Ryan noticed, and Scott too by the look on his face, that many of the poses they did would work equally well in a bedroom setting...
And considering they had an hour or so before their next activity, that's exactly what they went back to the room to try.
Massages were next. Between the ones Scott wanted to try and the ones Ryan wanted to try, they had one a day, and a day with two on the schedule. Hot rocks were on the menu for today, and while Ryan was trying very hard to stay awake through his, Scott was most definitely snoring not even halfway through the treatment.
That's how the schedule looked for the whole trip. A pleasant mix of delicious meals, downtime, and pampering. Ryan was hooked after the first day. That's not to say he didn't get his physical therapy done, there was plenty of walking to get to things considering the size of the place. But if Scott wanted to come back next year, which it seemed like he was hinting at, Ryan wouldn't complain.
But the real reason for the trip was Ryan's birthday. Considering it was also a holiday, the feeling of the place drastically changed practically overnight.