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?" Irene

thought about it before adding, "But I miss home

normal,” Irene told him—such was nostalgia, and it inevitably

said as

him just then. "You can sleep

he 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 picked

just then, and he stared at

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

Irene stayed in bed, she asked, "If Erin has a daughter, do

you lost your mind?" Isaac growled, and Irene promptly

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

was

you want a daughter?” Isaac

you?" Irene asked

to look at her, and he

and reached

remained slender even after having two sons, and he felt like