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?"

smart for his age, and Irene smiled. "More or less." “I miss home too," Tommy suddenly

like it here?" Irene

he replied and suddenly thought about it before

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

I should sleep,” Tommy said as he picked up the

just then.

he might not fall asleep if he had to share a bed with them. As Irene released him, he picked up his book and

and he stared at

with then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy said

stayed in bed, she asked, "If Erin has a

growled, and Irene promptly sat up in

and Isaac were actually unrelated, she was still his

was

want a

Irene asked

look at her, and he approached her slowly

and reached out to hold

even after having two sons, and he felt like he

him, but there was no place to hide when the bed