Thank you, thank you, thank you, a sincerely heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has read this story and especially everyone who has left reviews and comments and PMs to encourage me along the way. If it weren't for you guys this story would probably still be languishing in my files, unfinished and unappreciated. I'm especially grateful for those of you that have faithfully left reviews every chapter or every couple of chapters.

And, of course, thank you BeyondTomorrowwithyou, Karts of Sugar Rush, and DragonsCresecent13 for your reviews on the last chapter.

The promised Q&A is at the bottom. I didn't get many questions, so hopefully that means I've done my job as an author and the story stands on its own.

Some time has passed since the end of the story and the epilogue, but I leave it to the reader's comfort to decide how much.

"Are you sure about this?" Guy asked unhappily, for the hundredth time. Belt cooed unhappily from his waist.

"I'm sure," Pal said, tying the bundle that carried his few possessions. "And...it's just not the same here, without your mom."

Guy looked away.

"Besides," Pal continued with a quick smile. "I think you might be needing this little love nest soon. Am I right?"

Belt chortled, and Guy started at the ground, grinning. "Eep and I talked last night. I went to her father this morning."

Pal raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Guy fidgeted. "And...he didn't want anything. He said I'd already given enough for this family and that as long as Eep was happy, he's happy." His face reddened. "So I guess technically we're, um...together."

Pal blinked in surprise, and then ruffled his hair. "I'm glad. Congratulations, son. She's a good woman and you both deserve to be happy."

"That doesn't mean you have to leave," Guy sighed.

"I know. Thanks for that." Pal looked out over the ocean. "I can't stay here, Guy. It's too sad. I just—I need to—" he shook his head. "I need to move."

"It's okay," Guy said, putting a hand on his arm. "I get it. Sort of." Belt sighed.

Pal turned to him and smiled. "I'll be back. I have a good reason to come home–and hopefully you and Eep will provide me with more reasons, given time," he winked.

"Dad," Guy said, rolling his eyes, but he was grinning.

"Whatever, don't give me that. I'll be a grandpa by this time next year, I'm sure of it." Pal grinned back. Guy folded his arms and tried to look annoyed, but he wasn't very good at it.

"It doesn't feel real," Guy said, after a moment, and then he hesitated again. "Mom wanted there to be a ceremony. It seemed kind of important to her." He sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair. "Now I kind of wish we had done this sooner...so she could be here."

Pal put his hand on Guy's shoulder. "You can't rush these things, Guy. Your mom wouldn't have wanted that, either. You had to do what was right for you and Eep."

"Yeah," Guy said half-heartedly.

Pal looked away, off into the distance waiting for him. The he turned back and put his hand on Guy's head. "Go get Eep and her family and meet me back here."

Pal was finished with his own preparations by the time Guy came back into the clearing, clutching Eep's hand. He looked like a bundle of nerves, but Eep just looked curious. Her family trailed after them, looking both excited and curious, except for Grug, who mostly looked grumpy and resigned. Pal smiled a little sadly. They should have been dressed up in new clothes, decorated with flowers and beads. There should have been a formal hunt, and a feast, and a party. They should have been surrounded by their family–Guy's as well as Eep's.

Pal did not have Inda's gift for deep thinking and imagination, but he pictured them there all the same. His lost brothers, standing at his back with their families. His father, steady and proud. His mother, ornery but much beloved. Inda's father, the old storyteller with his cheerful lopsided grin. He ran through their faces in his mind, all of the friends and family that should have been with them today. And, last of all, Inda, teary and fluttering.

He kept the image in his mind as best he could. Perhaps as long as he didn't turn around, he could convince himself they were all there, standing behind him just out of sight.

Pal beckoned to Eep and Guy and they came to stand in front of him, looking at him expectantly as the Croods assembled behind them. Guy was fidgeting from foot to foot. Belt patted his shoulder with a reassuring noise, and slipped from his waist to join the other spectators.

Pal turned them to face each other. "Look at her, son, not at me," he said, trying to keep it light. Guy looked like he couldn't get enough air, his chest heaving and his eyes bright. Whatever else was lacking in this ceremony, Pal thought, the emotion was there. He put a hand on Guy's shoulder and squeezed, leaning in to whisper to him. "Just breathe, son." Guy nodded and took a deep breath, and that seemed to steady him a bit.

Pal took Guy's hand and Eep's, and placed them together, palm to palm, and closed their fingers so that they laced together. He placed his hands over theirs, and for a moment, he couldn't speak, sorrow and loss suddenly welling up in him. This wasn't right. He was facts and observation and practicality. Inda was stories and music and romance and she would have had something beautiful to say here. His throat worked silently.

Guy's free hand came up to cover his, and Pal looked at him, seeing his pain reflected in that face that was so like Inda's, the dark eyes and the strong bones. Even the hand Guy placed over his was like her. Pal took a deep breath and tried to smile, looking from Guy to Eep and back again.

"There's a bunch of formal stuff you're supposed to say, but it's stuffy and boring and it takes forever, so if it's okay with you, I'm just going to wing it," he said, as Guy's hand fell back to his side.

Eep snickered, and Guy grinned.

"You've been through a lot together," Pal said, looking between them. "You already know what it's like to depend on each other, to pick each other up, and to be there for each other. But the promise you're making now is the beginning of a new journey together. Every day, every happiness shared, every problem solved, every hardship endured, will bring you closer together, and deepen the bond between you. It won't always be easy and you won't always agree. On those days, remember this day, remember the promise you made, and never stop trying–to get along, to understand each other, to help each other, to be together. Never give up on that. As long as you have each other—" He had to stop, and swallow hard. "As long as you have each other," he continued, "You'll never be alone, even if you can't be together for a time." He cleared his throat and shifted his feet, and prayed to Inda's spirit, if there was such a thing, to steady him.

"This is the important part," he said, looking between Guy and Eep again, his deep voice solemn. "From now on, you two are a part of each other. Nothing and no one in your life is more important than this. Children will come, and you should love and care for them, but you two come first. You're partners before you are son and daughter, father and mother, brother and sister. That means you take care of each other, and you stand together. Remember. Don't let anything come between you, no matter how important it seems at the time. Nothing and no one," he repeated, his voice cracking, "Is more important than your mate. Ever. As long as you remember that, your family will be strong, your children will learn what love is supposed to look like, and you can face whatever comes as one."

He let go of their hands and took out a length of hurriedly braided leather cord he had stuck in his belt pouch. He looped it around their joined hands and down their wrists.

"This is just a symbol of the binding between your hearts," he told them as he did it. "When this is over, take the cord and hang it somewhere where you can see it. It should remind you of this day and the promise binding you together."

He let go of their hands. "This is where you two make your promises to each other," he said, stepping back a little.

To Pal's surprise Guy took a step forward and wrapped his free hand behind Eep's head, pulling her forward to press his forehead against hers. "You'll never be caged," he whispered roughly.

"You'll never be alone," she whispered back.

"I'll never stop loving you. I'll never give up." Guy was shaking.

"I'll never leave you," Eep said simply.

Guy made a choked sound, and then he kissed her, and Pal cleared his throat.

"Hang on," he grinned. "We're not quite there yet. I'm supposed to say something now. Something from me, I mean, as your dad, not the tribe leader."

Guy reddened, stepping back. "Sorry."

Pal chuckled. He put his a hand on each of their heads. "My son," he said, and his voice cracked, "and my daughter. Love each other. Hold each other. Never stop talking. Don't—Don't hide." He swallowed hard. "Face whatever comes, together." Overcome, he stepped forward, folding them both against him in a tight, slightly awkward hug. Then he stepped back, clearing his throat and wiping quickly at his eyes. "Uh, Grug?" He looked around for the big caveman. "Do you want to..."

Grug looked at Ugga, who nudged him, and came slowly forward, taking Pal's place as the nomad stood back and tried to get himself under control. He did as Pal had done, putting one big hand on Eep's head and one on Guy's. His expression softened as he looked between them. "Protect each other," he said softly. "You're strong together. And no matter what, we'll always be your family." He looked at Guy, and smiled. "And you'll always be ours." He looked back at Eep. "I'm proud of you." He looked at Guy again. "Both of you."

There was more than one pair of damp eyes as Grug let his hands fall and moved away.

Pal picked up a bowl he'd prepared and and dipped his thumb into the paste within.

"It's tradition," he said as he stepped back up and drew a careful line along Guy's cheek, first on one side, then the other. "That you're excused from your duty to the tribe until these fade. Your only job right now is to be together and learn what that means." He smiled. "Try to remember to spend some of that time talking, okay?"

Guy blushed and darted a glance at Eep, who was smiling gleefully.

Pal drew the cord off their hands. "The two of you are bound together now with a cord that cannot be seen, or broken, or untied. Keep your hearts close together, even when your bodies must be apart. From this day forward, you are one." He grinned. "Okay, NOW you can kiss her."

Whether Guy kissed Eep or Eep kissed Guy would have been hard to say, but they were quickly wrapped up in each other, kissing and murmuring and generally acting like the newly bonded couple they were.

"Aaaaand I think that's our cue to go," Gran chuckled, pushing Thunk back towards the trail. Ugga followed, Sandy clinging to one arm, and Belt to the other. Grug hesitated. Pal looked up in surprise as the big man came up to him.

"Guy said you're leaving," Grug said gruffly.

"Yeah," Pal said, trying to smile. "It's a big world out there. I'd like to see a little more of it."

"Well," Grug fidgeted. "You know, if you ever want to come back, you're welcome. You don't—" He glanced around. "You don't have to stay here. You're welcome in the valley any time." He offered his hand.

Pal was almost too startled to take it. "Thanks," he said, as they shook hands. "I will be back to visit. I—appreciate the offer."

"Well," Grug said, cracking a smile as he let go of Pal's hand. "We're all family now, right?"

"Yeah," Pal smiled. "I guess we are."

"Safe travels," Grug said awkwardly, and then he turned and followed his family.

Pal glanced back. It didn't even look like Guy and Eep had noticed everyone else leaving. He turned away, thinking it was time to make his own discreet exit. He picked up his pack and tied the straps that held it on his shoulders, and started for the trees.

"Dad! Wait!" Pal turned and Guy came running up to him. "I—I meant to give you this." He took an object wrapped in skins from his pouch and held it out to Pal. "I made this for you. I thought it might come in handy."

Pal pulled the knife out and admired the sharp blade for a moment, before sliding it back into the hide sheath and reaching an arm out to hug his son to him. "Thanks, son." He looked back over the outcropping, eyes lingering on the small house that he had shared with Inda. "I hope we haven't made this place too sad for you."

Guy sighed a little. "No. I miss her, but she was happy here, too. Wasn't she?" He looked up, and for a moment Pal saw his little boy once again in those pleading eyes.

"Yes. We both were."

They stood together for a moment, and then Pal shifted the pack his shoulders. "Go on back to your mate."

Guy flushed up to his hairline at the word and Pal laughed, reaching out to pull him in for one last hug. "I love you, son," he said. "I'm proud of you."

Guy swallowed hard. "Goodbye, Dad. I love you too."

Pal smiled, and released him. "Time for me to go." He turned but only got a step before he was bowled over from behind.

"Wait!" Eep said frantically. "I want to say goodbye too."

"Okay, okay," Pal laughed. "Let me up—Woah!"

Eep picked him up, putting him back on his feet with ease. Guy covered a grin.

Pal turned and opened his arms. Eep embraced him, hugging so tightly he feared for his bones. "It's not really goodbye, right?" Eep said. "You'll come back?"

"Yeah," Pal managed, wheezing slightly. "I'll be back. So it's more like–see you later."

"Okay," Eep let him go and beamed up at him. "See you later, then." She scrubbed the back of her hand across her eyes. Guy stepped up next to her and put his arm around her shoulders. Pal raised his eyebrows at Guy, rubbing his ribs.

"Good luck, son," he grinned. Guy grinned back. "All right, you two," Pal made shooing motions with his hand. "It's bad luck to watch someone leave on a journey. Don't worry about me."

Guy and Eep looked at each other, and then turned, walking back towards the cliff edge. Guy looked back. "Be safe, Dad."

Pal waited until Guy's eyes turned back to Eep, and then he started down the trail. His eyes stung a little, missing the familiar presence that had always walked by his side. He took a deep breath, and resisted the urge to look back one more time at his son and daughter.

"Don't forget, I'll be back to see my grandchild!" he called over his shoulder.

"Dad!" Guy's exasperated shout followed him.

Pal laughed.

Guy and Eep sat in the grass, keeping their backs resolutely to the trail. Eep cuddled up against his side and Guy put his arm around her, his head still spinning with everything that had happened in such a short time. As long as he'd waited, it seemed anticlimactic to have everything settled in a matter of hours.

Not that he was complaining.

"Are you sad?" Eep asked, laying her head on his shoulder.

Guy thought for a moment, and then smiled. "No."

Eep looked up at him, raising an eyebrow, and he met her gaze. "Really," he said. "I'm not." He stroked her cheek. "I'm going to miss Mom and Dad, but...it's not like last time. Even with Mom...at least I got to say goodbye. And I feel like I have a part of her still with me. I've got her stories, and you have her music, and...she was happy. She wasn't afraid. And Dad—he's doing what he loves. I wish he didn't have to be by himself, but..." He swept a hand out at the view in front of him. "It's better for him to be thinking about all that than sitting here and thinking about nothing but how much he misses her."

"I can't even imagine," Eep said softly, "What it's like to spend your life with someone and then, suddenly, they aren't there any more." She moved closer to Guy, putting her arms around him and burying her face in his neck.

"Hey," he said gently, running his fingers down her back. "We've got a lot of life left to spend together."

"I know," she sighed. "I just—I couldn't stand it if I lost you."

"Yes, you could," Guy smiled. "Me, not so much. Not anymore." He sighed, and then shook his head. "Come on, is this really what we want to be talking about right now?" he said teasingly.

"Hm," Eep agreed, and he felt her smile against his neck. "I guess there are better things to do. If you can catch me." She shoved him and leapt up, but Guy had been prepared for something of the kind, and he reacted quickly, throwing his arms around her waist, catching her mid-leap.

Eep tumbled to the ground with a surprised yelp.

"Ha," Guy laughed, locking his arms tight around her. "I don't think so." He crawled up her body as she flopped over onto her back, until they were face to face. "I've been chasing you long enough." He moved his hands over hers and locked them together.

"You are a dirty cheater," she laughed.

"Hey, if that's what it takes to win," Guy shrugged with an unrepentant grin.

"You think you've won?" Eep quirked an eyebrow, and he felt the tightening of her muscles under him. Before she could throw him off, he surged against her and kissed her hard.

"Come on," he said, suddenly breathless. "Can't you let me win just this once?" He kissed her again, letting go of her hands to cradle her head, and Eep arched into him, wrapping her arms around him, and his senses were full of her, her scent and her taste and the feel of her under him, her purr rumbling in his ears above the roar of his own blood. He felt her flex underneath him and the world spun, and suddenly he was looking up at blue sky, green eyes, and reddened lips twisted into a triumphant smirk.

"No," she said, and then she claimed his mouth again.

Dun dun duuuuuuuun!

Again, thank you, thank you to everyone who's read this story. I hope that I did it justice through the end, and that I at least kept my promise to make it a fun ride.

Author Q&A

First, an answer to a question no one asked. In one of the early chapters Pal mentions that he'd seen creatures like Belt that were much bigger and walked on the land, and I keep forgetting to mention – giant ground sloths were actually a thing! Look them up! Wikipedia says "Radiocarbon dating traces the disappearance of ground sloths in the United States to around 11,000 years ago, which coincides with the first appearances of humans in the land of what is now the United States and glacial-interglacial climate change." I giggled so much when I read about them that I had to put them in the story.

What is the modern name of Inda's illness?

I was using stomach cancer as my sort of symptom guide. It was important to me that it be something that couldn't be fixed, was relatively subtle at first (even in modern times, stomach cancer is often not detected until it has progressed quite far because most of the symptoms can be easily mistaken for plain old gastrointestinal upsets). Sometimes it just doesn't matter how clever you are or how hard you work, sometimes things just happen that you can't fix. So that's kind of where I was going with that.

Will there be a sequel?

I don't have any plans to do one right now. I feel like I'm happy with this where it is. I plan to keep adding to The Family Way and I have a few other ideas kicking around that, now that this is finished, I may be able to get into, but the next month is going to be a little challenging in terms of getting writing time (which, for me, means ALONE time), so I don't know how reliable I'm going to be.

Will Pal and Inda have a second kid since they missed seeing Guy grow up?

Well…no, obviously. :) Sorry about that…I know you wanted Inda to live but…I've had this epilogue written since pretty early on. They did try to have another child before they got to Tomorrow, but were never able to. I never found a way to work it in here so the idea isn't fully developed, but I had imagined that Guy's birth was very difficult for Inda and may have caused her to have trouble conceiving another child.