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.

like it here?"

and suddenly thought about it

him—such was nostalgia, and it inevitably occurs when

I should sleep,” Tommy said as he picked

then. "You can sleep

he might not fall asleep if he had

at Irene quizzically when he saw

old to sleep with then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy said primly and scampered off on his little

a daughter, do you think we could have her as

your mind?" Isaac growled, and Irene promptly sat up

if Erin and Isaac were actually unrelated, she was still his half-sister and Tommy's aunt. That would be

was

want a daughter?”

you?" Irene asked

locked the door just as he turned to look at her, and he approached her

and reached out

and he felt