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

he replied and suddenly thought about it before

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

sleep,” Tommy said as he picked up

him just then.

he might not fall asleep if he had to share a

and he stared at Irene quizzically when

boy was just too old to sleep with then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy said primly and scampered off on his

asked, "If Erin has a daughter,

your mind?" Isaac growled, and Irene promptly

actually unrelated, she was still his half-sister and

shrugged—she was

want a daughter?” Isaac

you?" Irene asked

as he turned to look at her, and

thoughts exactly!" he said and reached out

having two sons, and he felt like he could snap