A/N: Sorry, I know I suck. In my defense the internet has been on the fritz. We just switched and there was some kind of technical mishap. Big unneeded hassle really. But since you guys have been so good, (not really, I've got more scars than reviews right now,) I'll update more than once today. /Here's where the story starts/

Uxorious: excessively devoted or submissive to ones wife.

"Tommy, the guys up in engine room eight need some help," Maria said. Joel glanced across the poker table at his brother. Tommy smiled sheepishly. He pulled his radio from his belt.

"Be right there," Tommy replied, then turned to his fellow card players."Sorry, boys."

They all groaned in protest.

"Come on, it was just getting good!"

"We've been waiting for this all month."

"Yea, Tommy. Can't ya stay just this once?"

Tommy shook his hand as he folded his cards. "The wife calls, I answer."

"Maria's got you whipped, little brother," Joel chuckled.

Tommy smirked. "You just remember she's teaching that little girl of yours everything she knows."