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." “I miss

it here?"

suddenly thought about it before adding, "But

was nostalgia, and it inevitably occurs when

should sleep,” Tommy said as he picked up

just then. "You can

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 picked up

he stared at Irene

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

asked, "If Erin has a

growled, and Irene promptly sat

was still his half-sister and Tommy's aunt. That

shrugged—she was just

want a daughter?”

Irene

the door just as he turned to look at

exactly!" he said and

having two sons, and he felt like he could snap

from him, but there was no place