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?"

quite smart for his age, and Irene smiled. "More or less." “I

you like it

thought about it before

nostalgia, and it inevitably occurs when one

should sleep,” Tommy said as he picked

then. "You can

he had to share a bed with them. As Irene released

and he stared at Irene quizzically when

with then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy said

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

Isaac growled, and Irene promptly

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

shrugged—she was just

want a daughter?”

Irene

just as he turned to look at her, and

he said and reached out to hold her

remained slender even after having two sons, and he felt like he could

was no place to hide when the bed was only