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.

it here?" Irene

replied and suddenly thought about it before adding, "But

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

Tommy said as

just then.

time, and he might not fall asleep if he had to share a bed with them. As Irene

then, and he stared at Irene quizzically

was just too old to sleep with then. "Goodnight,

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

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

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

shrugged—she was just

a

Irene asked in

to look at her, and he approached her slowly

thoughts exactly!" he said and reached out to hold

he felt like he could snap her if he got a