The Runaway Groom

Finding the book interesting, Tommy suddenly pointed outside and exclaimed, "Pitter patter!"

"Pitter patter, pitter patter, listen to the rain!"

Tommy appeared interested as Isaac read it for him, and the boy pointed outside and exclaimed, "That's what we're hearing outside... I like nursery rhymes, Daddy."

Irene smiled mildly. "As long as you like it."

Tommy then lay down and wrapped himself in the soft blanket, his little legs lifted into the air.

Just then, Isaac's phone on the table rang.

Seeing that it was James and probably about work, he picked it up. “I'm taking this."

Irene nodded. "Go on."

She lay with Tommy and read it for him, "Home! Home! Sweet, sweet home! There's no place like home!"

"I like this, Mommy," he said, pointing at the last part. “There's no place like home—does that mean missing where we used to live?"

The boy was quite smart for his age, and Irene smiled. "More or less." “I miss home too," Tommy suddenly said.

you like it here?" Irene

and suddenly thought about it before adding, "But I miss

normal,” Irene told him—such was nostalgia, and it inevitably occurs when one has

said as he

hugged him just then. "You

replied—he had not slept with anyone else for the longest time, and he might not fall asleep if he had to share a bed with them. As Irene released him, he

and he stared at Irene quizzically

old to sleep with then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy

she asked, "If Erin has a daughter, do you think we could have her

your mind?" Isaac growled, and

if Erin and Isaac were actually unrelated, she was still his half-sister and Tommy's

was just

a daughter?”

you?" Irene

turned to look at

thoughts exactly!" he said and

felt like he could snap her if he