The Graft

The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan

THE only light in the room came from the small television sitting on an old wooden stand stuffed with mismatched books, magazines, and folded papers rather than the usual assortment of family videos and DVDs. The news was on, but Daniel wasn’t really paying attention; he was more interested in the fact that even though the picture was in color, the light bathing the room always seemed to be tinged blue. He glanced down at the sleeping form stretched along the couch, head on Daniel’s lap. Daniel knew Sean’s hair was golden even though it looked silver in the ethereal glow. He smiled and ran his fingers gently through the silky hair. A smile graced his lips at the knowledge that Sean had insisted they get a wide screen television yet he usually drifted off to sleep long before the closing credits. Daniel’s attention was drawn back to the news as the Australian Attorney-General stated that legislation tabled in Parliament earlier that day signaled a breakthrough for Victorian same-sex couples, allowing them to legally record their relationship with the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. The reporter went on to explain that the action did not, however, include official ceremonies for couples who registered their relationship.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan Daniel chewed on the inside of his lip, staring at but no longer really watching the television. It should be good news. He knew it could be seen as a step in the right direction, but it still didn’t feel good. He sighed and looked down at Sean. Even though their work schedules meant that quiet times like this were something of a rarity, he and Sean had been together for almost five years, and for the first time Daniel wondered what that really meant. That they loved each other he didn’t doubt, but… but what? Family get-togethers always seemed to highlight differences rather than the similarities of their relationship. Brothers, sisters, parents, nieces, and nephews, all accepted them as a couple. Even Sean’s old Uncle Bob from up country was okay, and Daniel understood that his frequently off-color jokes and his toast of ”Up ya bum” were his way of letting him know he was now part of the family. But things were occasionally innocently said, followed by embarrassed and apologetic looks. Wedding talk always seemed to elicit those awkward silences, and Daniel learned it was easiest to smile and offer to take over barbecue duties. Sean, on the other hand, would join in with a wicked twinkle in his eye and warn bride- or groom-to-be about the dangers of the upcoming nuptials even though he always ended with a laugh and gave them his blessing. Daniel raised his eyes to the ceiling at the turn his thoughts were taking. Fuck. The last thing Sean would want

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan is marriage number three, and my last attempt wasn’t a raging success. Time for bed… definitely time for bed. Stroking his fingers along the strands of Sean’s hair, Daniel gave his sleeping lover’s ear a gentle tug. “Come on, Sean, the movie had a happy ending even if the news didn’t.” Sean opened his eyes with a grunt and sat up wearily. “Sorry Danny. I did it again, didn’t I?” “Doesn’t matter Sean, even asleep I love your company,” Daniel responded with a sad smile, rubbing his hand gently up and down Sean’s back. “You head through to bed while I lock up.” Sean nodded, still not totally awake, and wandered to their bedroom. Daniel felt vaguely unsettled as he watched Sean disappear into the darkened hallway but couldn’t quite pin down why the news report had gotten to him. A flick of the television remote plunged the room into darkness.

SEAN was already out in the garden by the time Daniel made it down stairs. Still only lurking on the edge of wakefulness, he leaned against the frame of the open door and lit a cigarette, suppressing a cough as he inhaled. Sean was so engrossed in his task that it gave Daniel a chance to watch him while he attempted to get his thoughts together.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan It had been the early hours of the morning before Daniel had finally drifted off to sleep. Even snuggled tightly against Sean’s sleeping back, he couldn’t quiet the confusion the news report had raised. Why now? Fucking hell, why at all? Daniel knew he wasn’t the type of person who needed gestures and formalities, but standing and watching Sean at his potting table, Daniel understood that he wanted something. He pinched out his cigarette, leaving it in the small ceramic pot just outside the door, and, with a huffed sigh, ambled over to Sean. Sean trimmed the twig into a small spear, careful to make sure that the cuts were clean and precise. His fingers worked deftly, confident in a task that had been performed many times over the years. He smiled gently at the cutting and dipped it into a glass jar filled with white powder. It was then he felt the soft kiss on the back of his neck. “Morning, Danny,” he greeted, tilting his head back to see the sleepy form of his lover. “I thought I’d let you sleep this morning and come out here to give you peace.” Daniel leaned his body against Sean, enjoying the gentle heat of the morning sun warming the bare skin of his back, and murmured lazily behind the curl of Sean’s ear, “Whatya doing?” “Preparing a graft for the apple tree,” Sean replied, shivering slightly at the buzz Daniel’s husky voice made against his skin. Daniel glanced over Sean’s shoulder. “Tell me about it.”

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan Sean grinned, knowing that as inquisitive as Daniel was, all he really wanted was the contact both physical and verbal. He shifted position slightly to allow Daniel’s arms to slip around his waist and began his commentary. “Okay, this little bit of branch is a new variety of apple, and I’m going to attach it to the old tree. See how I’ve cut the end into a point?” He held the twig up so Daniel could see it clearly. “Well, that is going to fit into the old tree. The idea is to add something a little more exotic onto older, tougher stock to create a strong plant.” He reached down, ran his hand over Daniel’s arm, and said, “Come on over to the tree with me, and I’ll show you how this works.” Daniel reluctantly unwrapped his arms and stood back as Sean gathered a few bits and pieces and walked over to the little apple tree. He watched Sean kneel down in the garden bed and carefully carve a small vee into the trunk. “Doesn’t that hurt it?” Daniel frowned at the incision. “No, look,” Sean brushed a little of the white powder into the cut and slotted the twig into the vee. “Here, hold this a minute.” Daniel knelt down beside him and gently held the twig in place while Sean wrapped it tightly with a length of fine garden bandage. His fingers worked quickly, winding the bandage around the twig and trunk alike, smoothing it carefully to ensure both were bound securely. “This will give them a chance to grow together.” He sat back on his heels

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan assessing his work before turning to smile at Daniel. “Done. It’ll need to be left like that for a while to take, but it’ll really strengthen the tree. Just wait and see what happens when it wakes up in spring.” Daniel nodded and looked at the bandaged join. It sparked a thought, a memory of something he’d read somewhere. He stood up and with a distracted, “I’ll make us some tea,” wandered back into the house. Sean watched him go and shook his head. It was clear that Daniel had something on his mind, and he would just have to wait to find out what it was. By the time Sean had tidied away his gardening tools and made his way into the kitchen, the lid of the kettle was rattling noisily as it boiled unnoticed. He turned off the gas and poured the steaming water into the teapot. At least he put the tea in the pot, Sean thought as he lifted their mugs out of the draining rack next to the sink. He washed and dried his hands while waiting for the tea to steep, wondering what was going on in Daniel’s head today. With mugs in hand Sean went in search of Daniel. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor in the living room hunched over an open book. Sean set the mugs down on the coffee table and stepped over the mess of books strewn around the base of the bookshelf to where he was able to read over Daniel’s shoulder. The couple then kneels and places their right hands together. The Priestess wraps the red and white cord around the couple’s clasped hands and says, “Bound, but free. You

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan entered as separate beings but have chosen to journey together—” “You trying to tell me something, Danny?” Sean chuckled. Daniel was startled by Sean’s words and quickly closed the book with an embarrassed, “Um... no, it was just the apple tree reminded me of something, and I wanted to look it up, that’s all.” “Don’t bullshit me, Daniel, I know you too well for that. What’s going on in that head of yours?” Sean asked, a little concerned by Daniel’s reaction. Daniel sighed and looked at the book clutched in his hand. “I dunno, Sean. Last night on the news there was a report on the new legislation about gay marriage, and it got me thinking about how fucked it all is. I mean, we can get registered as if we are fucking dogs, but… I dunno.” Sean listened and was about to get into a full-blown discussion of the topic, but then he noticed the tone of voice was not Daniel’s usual used during their many political debates. He also realized what the real topic was. “You want to get married?” Sean asked, lifting his mug and grimacing as he sipped the too-hot tea. “It’s not that, it’s just, ah fuck… I don’t know.” Daniel frowned and paused to collect his thoughts. He uncrossed his long legs and leaned back against the bookcase. “There are a couple of things I can’t get sorted here.” He tapped his forehead. “Okay, it’s not that I want or don’t want to get

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan married, but I hate the fact that we don’t have the right to make that decision.” Sean eased himself down to the floor, careful not to spill his tea. “You said there were a couple of things.” “I don’t know how to explain it, but I guess I feel a bit like that little twig of apple tree, part of something, but still separate. We’re together, but not… oh fuck, I’m not making any sense.” Daniel let his head fall back against the bookshelf, frustrated by his lack of clarity, both in thought and word. Sean leaned closer and gave Daniel’s foot a gentle squeeze. “We could if you wanted, you know. Exchange vows at the next Day of Action. You’ll be home by then. We could maybe ask the family to come and witness it? Is that what you need, Danny?” “Shit, I don’t know. Nah, just ignore me. I know I’ve got to leave again in a couple of days; that’s all it is. Makes me restless knowing we’re gonna be apart again.” Daniel wiggled his toes a little and gave a reassuring smile. Sean returned the look but felt his stomach clench at the thought of Daniel going. With a groan he hauled himself back up, spilling some of his tea in the process, and said, “Grab your mug. Let’s head back out; winter sunshine is too good to miss.” Daniel nodded and accepted Sean’s outstretched hand. But rather than heading straight out to the garden, Sean hesitated. “Hang on a minute. Take these out, and I’ll be

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan there in a minute. I want to show you something. Okay?” With a curious look Daniel took the mugs and wandered outside.

“I

KNOW you’re in here somewhere,” Sean muttered as he

rummaged in the bottom of the bedroom cupboard. His fingers closed around the corner of an old cardboard box tucked right at the back behind a piece of rarely used gym equipment bought years before with good intentions. “Gotcha,” Sean said with a triumphant chuckle. He pulled out a very weathered-looking photo album. He flicked through the first few pages and grinned. “Oh, you’re gonna love these, Danny boy.” Daniel blew out a fine stream of cigarette smoke and smiled when he saw Sean appear at the door. “What’ya got there?” he asked, tipping his head toward the album. “A few memories I want to share,” he replied. He sat down, took Daniel’s cigarette, and placed it between his own lips. “Have a look.” With a slight frown, Daniel turned the book and pulled it closer. From the outside it looked like a standard old vinylcovered photo album, and he looked up at Sean because it had to be more than happy snaps from a past holiday. “Go on.” Sean smiled at Daniel’s sudden hesitation.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan Folding back the cover revealed a document that was slightly yellowed around the edges but very official looking. “From my first marriage,” Sean explained. “The bit of paper that made it all legal and proper.” Daniel nodded and turned the page. The first photo was of Sean. He was posing on the steps of a church and seemed very young standing there so serious in his wide lapeled suit and frilly collared shirt. “It was the seventies; what else can I say?” Sean said after clearing his throat. “Uh huh.” Daniel smirked and pointed out the blond mullet. “Although I don’t think I’m ready to show you what I looked like on my wedding day. It was truly bad.” “Oh, go on.” Sean stirred and shuffled his chair around the table to share the album. “Man, I don’t even know where the album is. With my ex, I guess, or maybe my mum.” He shook his head and turned his attention back to the photographs. “How old were you here?” “Too bloody young,” Sean replied. “I’d just had my nineteenth birthday. Carol was a couple of months gone with our first; and we kind of tumbled into the marriage because it seemed to be something we had to do.” They sat in silence looking through the photos of the bridal party: bride in white lace, bridesmaids in what could

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan have been either mauve or pink, it was hard to tell in the slightly discolored prints. “You were all so serious,” Daniel commented at the line of groomsmen standing very upright next to Sean. “Hey, you haven’t met Carol’s mother. Knowing she was going to be my mother-in-law had me scared shitless.” Sean chuckled and winked. Carol’s mum turned out to be a good person once she’d forgiven Sean for knocking up her only daughter. Daniel reached over and took the cigarette to inhale a long draw before handing it back. “I’ve only met Carol once, I think.” Sean nodded. “A whole other life, I guess. I mean look at us.” He pointed to a photo of the happy couple cutting the cake at the reception in the local town hall. “The whole time I was doing that I felt sick to my stomach. I was going to be a husband and a dad, and I had no idea how to be either. “You stayed together for a while, though.” “Yeah, I tried hard to make it work.” Sean turned the page to see Carol in her going-away outfit. “There were times when it was really good, but it always felt like I had no choice in any of it. I guess I blamed that on the eventual break up. I think that’s why I tried again. You know what I mean; this time it will work because it’s my decision. Denial is a wonderful thing.”

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan “Easier than the truth,” Daniel confirmed, thinking back to his own failed marriage. “Although I knew going into it that I was more interested in my best man than my wife.” Sean laughed and took a mouthful of tea. “Did you love her?” “I did. She was my best friend, and maybe that’s why we’re still friends. She knew I was there for her and tried to make it work. She understood I wanted to stay together for her and Katie, but ultimately we were just two people sharing a house. She let me off the hook easy. I’m glad she’s got someone now who loves her like she should be loved.” Sean knew that feeling all too well. He leaned a little closer to Daniel and asked, “So, what about us?” “What about us?” Daniel shrugged and closed the album. “Is that what you want? The wedding cake, family, whole box and dice?” Sean smiled, but Daniel knew he was being serious. “With a cake knife in your hand and panic in your eyes?” Daniel responded and tapped the cover of the album. “Fucker.” Sean laughed and stubbed out the cigarette. “Seriously though, is that what you need? Some sort of formal commitment?” Daniel stared down at the wedding album and thought about Sean’s question before saying, “I’ll answer that with another question, Sean; how do you see us?”

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan “How do I see us?” Sean repeated. He leaned forward onto the table. “I…,” he started then paused, “I see us as more of a couple than in either of my marriages.” Sean was never one for expressing his feelings, and the words didn’t come easily. “It’s different with us, not sure why. Maybe because being with you is my choice, and it’s not what was expected of me?” Daniel knew that Sean’s family, and Sean himself to a certain extent, was quite traditional in many aspects, but he still couldn’t resist a little dig. “Yeah, you didn’t get me knocked up.” “Not for want of trying.” Sean chuckled into his mug and took a long swallow of his tea. “I guess I’ve never really given it much thought, you and I, that is, because it just feels right. I know work keeps up apart a lot, and that’s hard, but it means the time we have together is… well, special.” “I’ve thought about quitting.” Sean looked over the rim of the mug and shook his head. “You’d go mad in a week, Danny. I know you too well to expect that.” His hand reached across the table top and closed around Daniel’s. “Yeah.” Daniel looked down at their clasped hands resting on the closed wedding album and grinned. “We can just stick to our original plan. End up as little old men living in a cottage on the peninsula. Beach views at the front and pet chickens out the back.”

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan “Sounds like heaven to me.” Sean smiled and relaxed back into his chair.

IT was in the early hours of the morning when they reached for each other. Sean wasn’t sure who woke first or initiated their touches, but they were tinged with the desperation of lovers who knew they’d soon be parted. It took them several minutes of urgent kisses until they slowed with the knowledge that tonight they still had time for each other. “Think we’ll still be doing this when we’re old and gray?” Daniel whispered. He ran his thumb gently over the creases at Sean’s eyes. “Hate to tell you, but we’re already gray.” Sean smiled back and gave the silvering hair of Daniel’s chest a tweak before he settled against the pillows, pulling Daniel over him. Daniel raised his eyebrows. It wasn’t often Sean bottomed, but he certainly wasn’t going to argue with him. Settling between Sean’s thighs Daniel rocked his hips gently; just enough to provide slight friction between them. He rested on his elbows and looked down at his lover. “Tell me want you want tonight, Sean.” With a small moan Sean smiled and reached up to tangle his fingers in Daniel’s hair. “Want you. Want everything.”

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan “I’m yours, Sean,” Daniel whispered, and he leaned down to meet Sean’s lips. “Always yours.” He leaned over to the nightstand for their well-used bottle of lubricant and squeezed a generous amount onto his palm. It was cool as he slid it over his cock but had warmed on his fingers by the time he eased them into Sean. Adjusting his hips, Sean raised his thighs, opening himself to Daniel. He closed his eyes. They’d been together long enough to know all of each other’s sweet spots. Daniel watched Sean arch into the touch as he flexed his fingers to gently stretch him. He smiled at the expression on Sean’s face: lips parted and eyebrows knitted in concentration. Totally lost in the moment. When he felt Sean relax around him, Daniel ran his palm over Sean’s belly and slowly withdrew his fingers. Even after all these years the anticipation made him pause to take a breath. He caught Sean looking at him and smiled. “You ready for this, old man?” Sean laughed and shrugged. “Make me feel it, Daniel; it’s gotta last me a while.” Their lovemaking held that bittersweet quality of wanting it to last, but both came before their need for each other was satisfied. Afterward Daniel clung to Sean a little too tightly, as if the contact could deny the fact he’d soon be spending his nights alone in a corporate hotel room. They lay together in silence, neither able to voice what they were feeling.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan When Daniel’s breathing finally shallowed with sleep, Sean knew it was his turn to suffer the frustration of a sleepless night. He lay in the darkened room watching Daniel sleep, already feeling their separation looming. In the three years they had been a couple, only a tiny fraction of that time had been spent together; meeting schedules, business junkets, and an endless assortment of unavoidable distractions kept them apart. Sean constantly pushed this to the back of his mind, assuring himself it was so he could enjoy their time together, but here in the dark it was eating at him. Daniel will leave for the Hong Kong office soon, and we’ll be apart again. Sean stroked Daniel’s hair when he mumbled softly in his sleep. Let him dream, Sean thought, and he carefully got out of the bed. Without turning on the lights he made his way to the kitchen to retrieve the cigarette packet he’d left there earlier. He sat at the kitchen table and lit a cigarette; he hated these nights where sleep eluded him, and the longer he lay in bed the worse it seemed to get. He leaned forward onto the table and stared out the window into the dark garden. A new moon; it’ll help the little tree grow. He exhaled a steady stream of smoke and frowned. The graft. Sean turned and looked through to the living room where he could just make out the books still on the floor. He got up, wrapped himself in a light blanket, and turned on the reading lamp.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan DANIEL’S last day at home was not how he had hoped to spend it. He’d wanted to visit his daughter, throw some clothes in a suitcase, and enjoy the rest of the time lazing around with Sean. The first two options went to plan, but Sean seemed preoccupied with other things. Between hushed phone calls and a solo trip to the shops, Daniel saw very little of Sean. It was late afternoon when Sean told him they had a table booked for dinner at his favorite restaurant and promised, “I’ll make it up to you at dinner, Danny, and after, well, you never know your luck!” Dinner was spent in a quiet booth in a local Italian restaurant Daniel loved for its tacky murals and large portions. They were there so often that they were on a firstname basis with all the staff and dessert was always on the house. The lovers were well fed but given their space to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Daniel decided early in the evening to avoid the topic of the next day and make the most of this night with Sean. Fueled by a good meal and a few too many drinks, they barely made it through the front door before he grabbed Sean’s face between both hands and pulled him into a kiss. Sean reluctantly eased back out of Daniel’s grasp and said in a slightly breathless voice, “Not yet, Danny.” “Hey,” Daniel complained with a whine that bordered on comical, “you promised you’d make it up to me, and you can’t go back on a promise.” “Oh, I’ll make it up to you. Take your clothes off. All of them.” Sean grinned and began to unbutton his own shirt.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan Although he was slightly surprised at Sean’s instructions, Daniel eagerly followed Sean’s lead until they were both naked. “So where do you want me? Right here on the floor or maybe on the couch?” Daniel asked while throwing his socks in opposite directions and taking a step toward Sean. “Nah ah.” Sean grinned as he avoided Daniel’s touch. “Neither. You and I are going outside to the garden.” Daniel’s eyes widened, and he held up his hands. “You’ve got to be kidding? It’s fucking cold out there!” “Since when are you worried about things like that? I’m usually the one complaining about that stuff.” Sean laughed and smoothed his hand across Daniel’s chest hair. “Besides, it’s only cold enough to harden your nipples without causing embarrassment to the other parts of your anatomy.” Daniel shook his head but allowed Sean to push him backward toward the door. When Sean turned him around, he came to an abrupt halt. The garden was covered in array of tiny while fairy lights, paper lanterns, and candles of all sizes. Before he had a chance to ask what was going on Daniel felt Sean’s hand slip into his. “It’s okay, Danny; our kids did this while we were eating. The rest of the family will be here a bit later. Come with me.” Daniel was guided down a path through the candles to where a tall gray-haired woman stood waiting. He turned, gave Sean a confused look, and whispered, “What is this Sean?”

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan “This is Sue,” Sean said with a nervous laugh, knowing that wasn’t what Daniel was asking, but suddenly he was flustered, and the words slipped out. “Sue is a… ah, Sue agreed to come over and help us. Shit, Daniel, you have no idea how hard it was to find someone in the phone book to perform a handfasting.” Daniel’s expression didn’t change as he looked from the tall woman in her robes and his lover. Sean blinked nervously. All he previous confidence dissolved. Fuck! What if this isn’t right? What if he says no? Despite the clear night air, Sean felt hot, and his heartbeat hammered in his ears. Daniel just looked at Sean for what seemed like an eternity before taking breath. “Thank you, Sean,” he said quietly. A beaming smile lit Sean’s face as he squeezed Daniel’s hand and said in a slightly embarrassed voice, “Maybe we can get started? Some people might find it a little strange for two middle-aged men to be standing naked in a suburban garden on a winter’s night.” Sue gently placed a hand on the shoulder of each man and indicated that they turn and face each other. It was obvious that they were more than a little nervous, so she kept her voice low and calm as she asked, “Is it your true will to walk the path together? Do you both sincerely wish to be handfasted?” Both quietly agreed. In a voice that seemed to swirl around the garden and encompass them both in a cocoon of warm air, Sean and Daniel listened as Sue invoked the each of the quarters to

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan witness and bless the union. She smiled and asked, “Do you, Sean, take Daniel to be your husband? Will you love him without reservation and walk a mutual path of growth in both mind and spirit?” Sean glanced briefly at Sue and then back to Daniel. “I do and I will.” The seriousness of his oath made Daniel grin until he realized Sue had turned her attention to him. As she repeated the vow, Daniel’s eyes never left Sean’s, and he clearly saw the light of more than just the reflected candle glow when he whispered his affirmation. “Now, Daniel, this is where I usually read a poem or impart some advice to the couple, but Sean has asked if he could say something to you.” Daniel nodded and looked expectantly at Sean, who took a shaky breath and began softly. “This time there’s no polyester suit, and no one forcing my hand with a sense of duty or expectation. I stand here naked to show that I offer myself in honesty and love to the one person I truly want to be with. Regardless of what our government legislates, I know that this is where my whole life has been leading. Daniel, you are my partner in all aspects of life, and no one will deny us that.” He stopped for a moment and smiled. “And my hand won’t shake when we cut the cake.” Daniel gave a small laugh that couldn’t hide the emotion he was holding back. Sean cupped the back of his head and pulled him forward to place a kiss on his forehead. “Was that okay?” he whispered.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan “So long as you meant it about the cake,” Daniel teased quietly and ignored the tear starting a trail down his cheek. Sue gave them a moment to catch their breath before asking them to kneel and place their right hands together. Sean could feel the slight shake of Daniel’s hand and smiled at him as they twined their fingers together. Slowly Sue began to wrap a red and white cord around their clasped hands. Her voice was rhythmic and soothing as she began to chant, “Bound, but free. You have chosen to journey together, each supporting the other. Be ever mindful of the thoughts and happiness of your partner. Keep sacred vows you promise to one another. Seek always truth, and your partnership will blossom and flourish.” Seek always truth, and your partnership will flourish. The words rang through Daniel’s mind as he looked from their bound hands to Sean’s tear-stained face illuminated by the gold of the candlelight. This is right. A graft to create a stronger tree.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan

A black cat for a witch may be a cliché, but add a whole bunch of tribal tattoos and an intolerance to garlic (seriously), and you have ISABELLE ROWAN. Having moved to Australia from England as a small child, Isabelle now lives in a seaside suburb of Melbourne where she teaches film making and English. She is a movie addict who spends far too much money on traveling… but then again, life is to be lived. Visit her blog at http://isabelle-rowan.livejournal.com/.

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan

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The Graft ♥ Isabelle Rowan

The Graft ©Copyright Isabelle Rowan, 2009 Published by Dreamspinner Press 4760 Preston Road Suite 244-149 Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Cover Design by Mara McKennen This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ Released in the United States of America June, 2009

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