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?"

boy was quite smart for his age, and Irene smiled. "More or less." “I miss home too,"

like it here?" Irene

about it before adding, "But I miss

him—such was nostalgia, and

should sleep,” Tommy said as

him just then. "You can

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

at Irene quizzically when he saw

then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy said primly and scampered off on his

stayed in bed, she asked, "If Erin has a daughter, do you think

Isaac growled, and Irene promptly sat up in

Isaac were actually unrelated, she was still his half-sister and Tommy's aunt. That would be

shrugged—she was just

a

Irene

locked the door just as he turned to look at her, and he approached her slowly and

exactly!" he said and reached out to hold her

after having two sons, and he felt like

snapped and withdrew from him, but there was no place to hide when the bed was only that