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Reckoning: noun

“…the tiood or bad and you are rewarded or punished…”

Prologue

The pain is excruciating Thinking the drugs were supposed to help rong I’ me apart from the inside out

“Please, the epidural isn’t working! Is there so on the bed

“Hold on, baby, the doctor’s on the way” Luke says against my temple

“It hurts so ht”

“Where’s the damn doctor?” he asks the nurse that comes back into the room Concern etched on her face as she assures us he is on his way back

“Ari, hold it together I’ else besides the pain We get to meet the little linebacker today”

“I love you, but if you refer to her as a linebacker again, I’ to kill you”

Looking into the eyes of my best friend, the pain lessens as the contraction ends He sees the relief onback at roin, I wince The fa ht and let the agonizing pain wash over me

“Ari, I’ist is down the hall,” the nurse says

She bends in front of ht centioes to the bedside monitor to make notes I cry out in relief when I hear the knock on the door

“Ari, I’ to increase the epidural and you should feel pressure only” Nodding at the doctor’s words, I close my eyes

After a few ht sense of pain as the next round of contractions hit Luke watches thewords

Another hour passes and the nurse announces that it’s almost time She calls for ular OB but she’s on rotation today I’ve met her at several of my appointular doctor wasn’t on call, but I can’t help it that my baby decided to come a week early

Dr Adah the door with a wide s to proceed

Luke stays on one side grabbing , while a nurse does the sa, I lie back knowing I can’t do this

Even though I’m numb, I can still feel the extreme pressure Nausea and dizziness hits