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Chapters (31)
  1. The Long and Winding Road
  2. Table of Contents
  3. Dedication
  4. Epigraph
  5. Prologue: Or, Where Bear Answers the Door
  6. PAST
  7. 1. Where Bear Makes the Wrong Assumption
  8. 2. Where Bear Finds Out
  9. 3. Where Bear Makes a Decision
  10. 4. Where Bear Learns the Art of Breathing
  11. 5. Where Bear Has Bro-Time with Creed
  12. PRESENT
  13. 6. Where Bear Attends the Most Awkward Homecoming Ever
  14. 7. Where Bear Tells Tyson Everything
  15. 8. Where Bear Makes a Promise
  16. 9. Where Bear Goes to Lamaze Class
  17. 10. Where Bear Gets Advice About His Sex Life
  18. 11. Where Bear and Otter Role-Play at a Hotel Bar
  19. 12. Where Bear Faces the Reality of Married Life
  20. 13. Where Bear Sees Everything Change
  21. FUTURE
  22. 14. The Long and Winding Road
  23. Epilogue: Or, Otter’s Perspective, As It Were
  24. Coda
  25. No. Absolutely not. No way.
  26. More from TJ Klune
  27. Readers love the Bear, Otter, and the Kid Chronicles by TJ Klune
  28. About the Author
  29. By TJ Klune
  30. Visit Dreamspinner Press
  31. Copyright

“Yes,” Otter says. “She is. And she’s now twenty-two weeks pregnant. With twins. Something we just found out about today. The twins part. Not the pregnancy part. It was supposed to be a surprise, but. Well. Bear’s had a very trying day, so I don’t blame him.”

“Right,” Creed says. “But what about the part with circuses and serial killers—ow, babe, you really should stop kicking my shins. You know I bruise easy.”

“Then stop talking about the circus,” Anna says.

“Bear started it—ha, you missed me!”

A phone chimes.

Otter sighs and pulls it from his pocket, still keeping one hand on me, as if the touch alone was enough to keep me from falling apart. And I really think it is. He’s always done that for me. He’s always put up with my shit, no matter how fucking stupid I sounded.

“I love them,” I tell him, needing him to know. “We don’t even know them yet, but I love them. I want to keep them. With you. I don’t want to sell them at all. Even if they try and murder me.”

“Because you’re the pretty one,” Otter says, pulling me forward and kissing my forehead. “We’ll keep them. I think we’re probably past the return-by date, anyway.”

“Did Otter just make a dad joke?” Creed mutters. “Because I swear to god that was a dad joke. And that totally makes sense now.”

“I’m so proud,” Jerry says to no one in particular. “I have so many of those to share.”

“You never shared them with me,” Creed says.

Otter glances down at his phone as I lay my head on his shoulder. He tenses slightly before sighing. “Shit,” he mutters.

God, what now?

He holds the phone up in front of my face.

There’s a text message on the display from Dom.

We’re about ten minutes out.

“Shit,” I breathe.

7. Where Bear Tells Tyson Everything

I’M WAITING on the porch when a truck pulls up in front of the Green Monstrosity towing a large camper trailer behind it. The windows are tinted, but I know who’s inside, and I’m simultaneously wanting to run toward them and away at the same time.

The truck switches off, and there’s a moment when nothing happens.

Then the passenger door opens and he’s running toward me, a grin on his face.