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?"

and Irene smiled. "More or less."

like it here?" Irene

replied and suddenly thought about

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

I should sleep,” Tommy said as he

him just then. "You can sleep

with anyone else for the longest time, and he might not fall asleep if he had

he stared at

was just too old to sleep with then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy said

she asked, "If Erin has a daughter,

growled, and Irene promptly sat up

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

shrugged—she was

you want a

Irene asked

turned to look at her, and he approached

and reached

after having two sons, and he felt like he could snap her if he got a little

but there was no place to hide when the