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“You cannot possibly know that. I’ve put her through a lot, and this is quick. She might say no.”

Chance sighs. “You're an idiot.”

By the time we rejoin the group, everyone is ready.

Theo takes one of my hands and one of Blaire’s, sticky left behind somewhere in the parking lot.

Chance and Carter are behind us arguing about something.

Richard, Kathryn and Sophia are ahead with the small hoard of other children.

Theo talks nonstop.

“Are there bears?”

“Probably not here,” Blaire says.

“Why?”

“Because there are too many people.”

“Bears don't like people?”

“Usually not.”

“Why?”

“Because people are loud.”

Theo looks up. “Will a bear eat me?”

“No,” Blaire says immediately.

“Why?”

“Because Daddy will fight it.”

Theo's eyes get huge. “Daddy can fight a bear?”

I look at her. “Blaire. I can’t fistfight a bear.”

“What are all those training hours for if you can’t fight off a bear?”

“Bears and terrorist are not the same thing. I can’t fight a fucking bear!”

Theo squeezes my hand. “You can do it, Daddy.”

Great.

“Thanks for believing in me, buddy.”

Theo thankfully moves on, releasing our hands and running ahead to join his cousins in collecting muddy rocks.

“Do you think he'll make it all the way?” she asks after a few minutes.

“Who?”

She stares at me. “Our son.”