A year passed as Daniel and Zane went about their merry way. They'd been living together in a rented house on 5th street and Madison, still in Sommerview. It was halfway between where each of them worked, so it was naturally a good place to live. A week after the time they had stayed at the motel, they were officially dating, though the time between seemed an eternity to both of them. Daniel, still living with a roommate found it hard to have a boyfriend and maintain a healthy space of peace. After a falling out though, Daniel and Mark decided to go their separate ways. Daniel let his old roommate keep the apartment. With very few viable options left, Daniel pleaded to stay with Zane at his place. But the two decided that his total of two rooms that tried to pass as a studio apartment was just too small. So off the two of them go, on the prowl for a comely place to live. Eventually, after a lucky break, the two managed to find this lovely place on 5th street. An old 19th century home, with large standing columns and ivy climbing up the side. It was a little run down when they first moved in, but after several months the two had it up and running again. The tall house in its rust-colored glory, with its high pitched roof and mahogany doors, is truly a sight to behold.

"Daniel? Did you get that last of the lease paperwork done?" Zane asked loudly up the stairwell. The last year had been a wonderful one. It may have had its ups and downs, but the two of them together had done it; survived what was thrown at them. The likes of which included Zane being attacked by a group of radicals. He’d made a full recovery from the incident.”Oh! And have you seen my keys? I thought I left them in the bedroom. Can you look for me since you’re already up there?"

"No, and this time don't forget them, okay?" Daniel, at the top of the stairwell answered. Tossing down Zane's car keys, Daniel pacifies any argument that the other man might throw at him. "I'll get them done tonight. Now go to work or you’ll be late again." As Zane leaves reluctantly, Daniel whispers to himself something of a wish. “Who knows… we might actually get to own this place one day.” Looking out the tall panes of the upstairs window, Daniel waves down at his departing lover. Whispering the words "I love you." He turns around and gets back to cleaning himself up before work. "Some miracles do come true… even without a martyr." Laughing at his own joke, Daniel strips down and finds himself a new set of clothes.

"I love you..."The words traveled through the morning mist to Daniel, Zane quietly whispered the words back. He'd always whispered them to no one in particular. But they seemed to have found meaning in Daniel. "I always have... Even before I knew it; I have." With a promise of love in their hearts, the two of them go on in what is for them, a forever beautiful summer. One on a beach, overlooking a crystal blue ocean.