Beating Heart •Luke Kuechly•

Chapter 34.

Today was the day of my appointment with Doctor Smith.  My feelings are all over the place and I don't really know how to feel.  As I finish putting on my outfit, I take a shaky breath.  I decided to keep it comfortable today and wear sweatpants as well as a shirt from Victoria Secret PINK and some running shoes.  I have my hair up in a top knot and the only makeup I have on is mascara.  

I have to have a few tests today.  An MRI, ultrasound, and an EKG.  They have become a routine for my life except the MRI.  I rarely have an MRI done.  I had to have one though at KU to send the information to Cedar Sinai Medical Center.  

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Luke asked me as he wrapped his strong muscular arms around my waist and his chest pressing against my back.  

"Nervous."

I closed my eyes as he swayed us from side to side and I leaned in to his touch.  

"Don't worry.  Were all here for you.  Your the strongest girl I know," he told me as he kissed my cheek then my jawline.  

I turn around so that were face-to-face and I wrap my arms around his waist.  

"Thank you, I love you." I tell him as I stare into his blue eyes.

"I love you."

He leans down and presses his lips to mine as my eyelids flutter closed.  Our lips move in sync as butterflies erupt in my stomach.  He cups my cheeks as he brings me closer.  As we pull away he presses his forehead against mine.  

"Better?" He asks me.

"Yeah," I bite my lip as his thumb traces my bottom lip.  

After we pull apart my mom and Ariel walk into the room and we get all leave to go to Cedars Sinai.  

...

After I signed in filled out all of the paperwork I needed to, they called me back for my MRI.  I changed into my gown and my mom, Ariel, and Luke followed me to get my IV put into my arm.  Only my mom was going to be in the room with me and Luke and Ariel would wait out in the waiting room.  

When they finish putting the IV in my arm they then explain to me that will put the contrast in me, my mom and I follow the nurse into the room after Luke kisses my cheek.  

It's a closed MRI when I lay down on the bed the nurse puts some blankets on me to keep me warm.  Then he puts something on my chest and then a cage like contraption on top of that to get the best pictures of my heart.  

"Okay Callie I just need you to stay as still as possible.  Half way through the MRI, the contrast will be put in the MRI and you may taste it or a rush of cold might go through your veins.  I need you to take as many of good deep breaths that you can.  If you need anything just squeeze this that I put in your hand alright?"

"Got it," I tell him.  

He smiles at me and then pushes the bed I'm in further into the closed MRI.  The machines start making loud beeping noises asking me to take deep breaths in and hold them for a few minutes.    

It starts to feel weird as I'm having to do this for a whole hour.  Starts to hurt.  

Normally it doesn't, but because my heart has been feeling weird it is.  

I want to ask him to stop but I know I can't.  

I have to just keep on going.  

Suddenly, Luke's words remind me to stay strong.  To get through it.  

"Don't worry.  Were all here for you.  Your the strongest girl I know."

When we finished the MRI, I went back to the changing room to change.