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Chapter 1

~ Kyle

I’ down at the freshly cut green grass in the pasture beneathacross the fields of the far down in a prismatic display in the sky

Standing there waiting for everything to begin, I listen intently to the chirping of the birds, the buzzing of the bees, and the trickle of the streah the pasture behind us

Every moment since the Amazon trip, every heartache, every question, every choice has led me to this day It has been a crazy ride, and one that I know I a that ever happened to me

I still re at the Center, waiting to be let loose to collect samples We were in the Amazon, a trip most people would die to take, but for us, for the science community, it was an introduction into the world of

genetics I never thought back then that I would one day be standing here, in front of rows of fa to marry her

A tap on my shoulder from my best man forces a shift in my nerves Slowly my eyes move up the aisle, past the succession of chairs and to the back of the self- so fast it’s alregation rises to their feet, the most beautiful creature I have ever seen steps forward, a s it’s visible even under the thick lace veil My hands co back at her, ready to make her my wife The sounds of the violinist’s echelon echo across the green fields, har crickets All the nerves and all the worry wash away as I stare at that beautiful dark-haired princess, a vision in white, walking towardher uncle’s arm

As they approach, my mind wanders to the future, to the decades that I will have to spend with Clarissa This is a drea to fruition The pastor steps forward to begin the service The interpreter lifts her hands at the ready, as Clarissa’s aunt is deaf

“Before we begin, ives this woman today?” the pastor asks

“I do,” her uncle states “Me and her aunt”

The pastor nods his head and watches as Clarissa’s uncle turns toward her, a look of love and pride in his eyes, and lifts her veil, kissing her gently on the cheek She s his hands in hers, a tear perched at the corner of her eye He nods over at hter, the girl that may have not been born his, but became his, over to my care I have already promised a million tiain, in front of everyone

We chose a shorter service, wanting to get married and enjoy our tiful, and full of love My ears are perked, listening to the kind words that her aunt and uncle gave the pastor to read I look over at Clarissa, and she squeezes eous, so perfect, and finally, she is mine It has been a bit of time since the day we told each other hoe felt, the day that everything changed for her In the end though, as I stand here taking my solemn vows, I know that no irl better than anyone else, strange past or not

“Clarissa and Kyle have chosen to write their os,” the pastor says looking at us both “Clarissa, you may start first”

She clears her throat and pulls out a piece of paper, slightly crumpled, which is entirely her style

“Kyle,” she begins “There is no one that I would rather chase monkeys with”

Everyone laughs, and I look up at her and nod agreeing

“There is no one that I would rather chase cats with, dogs with

There is no one that I would rather be with for the rest of e trips to Japan, and everything else thattiet to have you as ue , andas I shall live”

There are chuckles from the crowd and I know that no one truly understood those vows, but they mean the world toot so caught up in her words I forgot my part

“Clarissa,” I begin “This world is made up of so many different people, animals, and creatures There are seven-point-six billion sets of eyes, ears, noses, and brains perusing every part of this beautiful world, yet somehow you and me, we ended up in the same place at the sah science doesn’t support it, that sounds an awful lot like fate totime, and the love of my life before I even met you”

A collective awe fro toreeently rolling down her cheek and ain in my chest