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

thought about it before adding, "But

him—such was nostalgia, and it inevitably occurs when one

said as

just then. "You can

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

just then, and he stared at Irene quizzically when he

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

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

growled, and Irene

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

shrugged—she was just

you want a daughter?” Isaac

Irene

as he turned to look at her,

exactly!" he said and reached

he felt like he could snap her if he got a