BooksBarbecue
Back The Long and Winding Road
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

“When Otter Thompson loves you, it’s for life. He doesn’t do things halfway. If you’ve earned his love, that’s it. There were… others. Before me. For him. But I don’t think he ever truly loved them. Not like he does us. He told himself he was happy, but I don’t think he ever truly believed it. He’s built differently. Than you. Or me. Or Ty. We’re more… reserved. We protect ourselves and our hearts because of everything we’ve been through. It’s harder for us. But it got easier. Because of him. He’s—there’s not a single thing he wouldn’t do for us. For you. And I know you know that, but you need to hear it out loud, okay? When Otter loves you, it’s for life. And he loves you, Izzie. As much as he loves me or Ty. Because you’re his now. And you’re very lucky because of that. You will always have someone who has your back. Someone who will fight for you. Protect you. Make sure you have everything you could ever want. Sometimes—I think even I can forget that. Things… they weren’t always easy. And that will still happen every now and then. He’s not perfect. I’m definitely not. Obviously. We’ll make mistakes. But just know there will not be a time that we won’t want you here with us. It may take you a long time to believe it, and that’s okay. We’ll be here when you do.”

She’s quiet for a long time after that. I’m not sure if I should say more, but I don’t know what else I can say to reassure her. She’s watching me, but her expression is giving nothing away. Just when I’m about to open my mouth to say something, she beats me to it.

“Can you hug me now?” she asks in a small voice.

“Yeah. Yeah, I can do that. I’m very happy to do that.”

And then I’ve got a lapful of little girl, though maybe she’s not so little after all. She’s not crying, but I think it’s close, because she’s trembling in my arms, and her face is in my neck, her breath harsh. I wrap my arms around her and hold on tight. It feels good to have her like this.

It goes on. For a time.

And that’s okay.

HE THROUGH kicking his own ass yet?

Nah. But JJ apparently decided that he wants to be a singer too, so I’m pretty sure he’ll agree to anything to get out of here.

Oh dear god. Your child.

Right? ISN’T HE THE BEST THING EVER???? Like, he has NO discernible musical talent, but do you think that stops him? NO. HE’S A MOTHERFUCKING THOMPSON.