Just before sundown they made it back to the cave. After Jessy had gotten her stuff from her house, Porter had noticed that all his clothes were missing so they went shopping and had lunch before going back.

Jessy also got some new clothes. She got a few strange looks from the others since she was shopping in the men’s section but none of them questioned it.

when they got out of the car, Kyte helped Porter with his bags and Kylie helped Jessy with hers. Kyte and Porter headed straight for their room, Porter was desperate to unpack.

Once in their room, they dumped the bags on the floor and Porter began digging through them all. He was looking for one thing in particular, an item he had always felt close to. It took him a while, but he finally found it. He held it in his hands and sighed in relief.

“What is that?” Kyte asked as he sat on the floor in front of Porter.

Porter opened his hands to reveal a small silver turtle the size of his thumb nail. “I lost the bracelet, but I kept the charm. Do you know where it came from? It was with my other belongings they gave me when I was released from the hospital after the car crash.” Porter pushed his hands closer towards Kyte so he could see it better.

“You kept that?” Kyte smiled.

“Yeah, I know it’s special to me, I just don’t know why.” Porter told him as he brought his hands back into his lap.

“I gave you that bracelet on our first-year anniversary…” As Kyte began explaining, Porter started to remember…

They walked down a wide path. The beach shore could be seen on their left sides, the waves were calm as the sun set, warm yellow light reflected off of the waters surface. It was cold so Kyte wore a khaki trench coat with a black beanie and scarf. Porter wore a light brown jacket with a red scarf and black fingerless gloves. They held hands as they walked, Kyte’s were nice and warm despite the chill in the air. After a long walk, they made it to the wharf where turtles could usually be seen in the warmer months.

“I wish the turtles were here. They’re such magical creatures, aren’t they? It would have been a great way to end our anniversary.” Porter and Kyte rested against the wooden rail. Porter wrapped his arm around Kyte’s waist, mostly to use him as a human hot water bottle, but also to express his love.

Kyte suddenly thought of something and pulled Porter away from the wharf.

“Come on, I have a surprise for you.” Porter could hear his smile through his voice.

Kyte dragged him back the way they had come. They leisurely walked down the path once again. Other couples or groups of people who were looking for somewhere to eat walked past, none of them paying attention to Kyte and Porter which made them both extremely happy.

“Where are we going?” Porter asked for the hundredth time in the last ten minutes.

“You’ll see. Be patient.” Kyte laughed. The sound brought butterflies to Porter’s stomach.

Kyte let go of Porter’s hand and told him to wait there as he jogged away to a store in the distance. He came back a few minutes later with a box in his hands.

“Close your eyes and hold your wrist out.” Kyte instructed. Porter did as he was told. He was eager to see what all of this was about.

Porter felt cold metal against his skin and Kyte’s warm fingers trying to clasp the bracelet to his wrist.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now.” Kyte said.

Porter looked at Kyte’s face first. His smile was bigger than any he had seen before. He looked down to his hand. A silver chain wrapped around his wrist; it had a small sea turtle charm dangling from it.

“It represents the time we’ve had together. A whole year and it feels like I’ve known you forever, isn’t that crazy?” Kyte’s smile got bigger, if that was even possible.

Porter started tearing up. “No one has ever got anything like this for me, thank you.” Porter leaned forward and embraced Kyte. Kyte squeezed back. “We don’t really give each other gifts where I’m from. We only give gifts to parents on the day they’re child is born.”

“Really? You’ve missed out on a lot then. It’s a shame you weren’t here for Christmas last year, maybe you can come this year? Christmas with my family is amazing.” Kyte laughed. Porter nodded his head and hugged Porter even tighter causing Kyte to chuckle again…

Porter was shocked out of the memory by the tear that fell from his eye. He quickly swiped it away.

“Are you alright?” Kyte asked, genuinely worried.

“Yeah, I just remembered that day. I’m sorry I forgot something like that.” Porter sniffled. Porter hugged Kyte tightly, like he had that day. Kyte hugged back, just as tight.

“Your remembering, that’s all that matters.” Kyte rubbed circles on Porter’s back. He calmed down and sat back again. He wiped his eyes one last time and placed the turtle charm on the bedside table where he wouldn’t lose it.

“Come on, I’ll help you unpack.” Kyte said as he got up and put one of the bags on the bed.