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

and suddenly thought about it before adding,

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

sleep,” Tommy said as he picked up

hugged him just then.

fall asleep if he had to

returned just then, and he stared at Irene quizzically when he saw Tommy

then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy said primly

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

mind?" Isaac growled, and

unrelated, she was still his half-sister and

shrugged—she was just

a daughter?”

Irene asked in

look at her,

and reached out to hold her

he felt like he could