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"The birthing process is perfectly natural"

"Maybe it is for a woman, but it isn’t as easy for a ainst her abdomen, Summer smiled "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I don’t know if I can bear to see you in pain," he said, wiping his face as they stopped for a red light

"It won’t be too bad"

"Hey, you saw the fil class I don’t know if I’led

Ja htened in ht I ca to be just fine," she said again "Don’t worry, Jaht to shine I’ht now to make their debut"

"At theonto win the primary," she insisted Summer knew the competition had been steep, and Ralph Southworth had done what daht

"We’re al relieved

"Relax," she said, and as it turned out, her words were a reminder to herself The next contraction hit with unexpected severity, and she drew in a deep breath trying to control the pain

"Summer!"

"I’ency entrance at Virginia Mason Hospital and raced around the front of the car He opened the door, unsnapped the seat belt and lovingly helped her out

Someone rolled a wheelchair toward her, and while Su, James parked the car

She was on thepale and harried

"Stop worrying," she scolded hied a chair to the side of her bed and slumped into it "Feel my heart," he said and placed her hand over his chest

"It feels like aShe moved her hand to his face and cupped his cheek

"I need you so much," Ja contraction Jaing her to relax As the pain ebbed, she kept her eyes closed

When she opened the her She smiled weakly and he smiled in return

Dr Wise arrived and read her chart, then asked, "How are we doing here?"

"Great," Su her "I think Su so well ain

"What your husband’s saying is that he needs help to deal with seeing you in pain," the physician explained

"Do so, Doc"

Dr Wise slapped James affectionately on the back "Why don’t we let Summer be the one to decide if she needs an epidural? She’s a better judge than either one of us"

"All right" But Jareement came reluctantly

For Summer the hours passed in a blur Her labor was difficult, and she was sure she could never have endured it if not for Jaed her, lifted her spirits, rubbed her back, reassured her of his love