When Alex pulls the car into her parent's driveway, I start to feel a little nauseous.

"Bobby, this isn't a torture test. If you are so uncomfortable, I can go in myself and you can pick me up after dinner", she suggests.

She's giving me an opportunity for a clean getaway. God love this woman.

"No, I'll be fine. It will be good to see everyone, especially Nate", I say referring to her nephew who she gave birth to years ago.

"Okay. I love you, Bobby", she says as she grabs my hand.

"I love you, too."

When we walk into the Eames' household, it's as if a carnival has taken up residence in the living room. Toys litter the floor, children are running and laughing with each other, the noise level is jarring.

"Hey Sweetie," Alex's mom greets us. "And Bobby, It's so wonderful that you've come", she says as she kisses my cheek.

"Thank you for inviting me, Ms. Eames."

"Ms. Eames is my mother-in-law, Bobby, please call me Sara."

"Ok, Sara. I brought you some wine, it's a German Riesling," I say as I hand over the bottle.

"Oh, this will go perfect with our dinner. You are a gem, Bobby. Now why don't you two get comfortable and I'll see where my husband is", she says.

"Mom, please don't tell me he is still working on that boat in the garage?" Eames asks.

"Yes, and now he is bound and determined to finish it for next year. He has some crazy notion for us to sail to Martha's Vineyard. So, please dear, before I go with him, make sure I show you where I hid the family heirlooms. Your brothers and sister wouldn't have a clue where to look if I ended up sleeping with the fishes," she laughed.

Bobby watches Alex and her mother interact and it is clear that Alex gets her humor from her mother. Actually, Alex resembles her mother quite a bit; they are both petite and thin with a strong personality.

Alex's mother is also still quite attractive with a definite sparkle in her eyes.

This could be my life, he thinks.

With a beautiful wife, a house full of family, all the things he never thought he deserved or even wanted.

She's changed all that.