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

you like it here?"

about

Irene told him—such was nostalgia, and it inevitably

I should sleep,” Tommy said as he picked

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 his book

and he stared at Irene quizzically

too old to sleep with then. "Goodnight, Daddy,” Tommy said primly and scampered off on his

asked, "If Erin has a

your mind?" Isaac growled, and

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

shrugged—she was just

you want a daughter?” Isaac

you?" Irene

look at her, and he approached her slowly and

exactly!" he said and reached out to

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

withdrew from him, but there was no place to