After an anesthesiologist, Dr. Kincaid, comes in to explain his part of the procedure, I'm soon whisked out of the room and taken to the cath lab. But not before Emmett hugs me too tightly and assures me Edward will take care of me. I have no doubt he will, but I'm still scared.
"Another blanket?" Dr. Kincaid asks, noticing my shiver as I stare up at the bright lights and massive x-ray thing hanging over me. I nod and a nurse soon lays another warmed blanket over me on the hard table, but I can't find my voice to thank him. Dr. Kincaid's warm hand lays against my cheek as I watch him bring up a mask. "It's only oxygen, honey. Just breathe while I start your meds, okay? You're doing great."
I'm not doing anything. Unable to move or speak, I feel panic building in my chest as he lays the mask over my face. It's not long before warmth spreads through my body, and I suck in a deeper breath. Oh . . . that feels . . . nice. Very nice indeed. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the feeling as the room fades away.
And then I hear his voice. Warm and gentle, it's unmistakable and rather lovely. "How's our girl?" he asks as I open my eyes and find his beautiful greens. His handsome face is hidden behind the mask, but his striking eyes are all I need.
"Mmhm, hi," I whisper once Dr. Kincaid pulls away the oxygen mask. I can't feel my face, so I'm not sure if I'm grinning like a fool or drooling.
His eyes crinkle as he smiles under the mask and chuckles softly. "Hello, sweetheart. You look like you're feeling relaxed."
"Uh-huh. Can I have these meds to go?"
Laughs are all around me as he takes my hand under the blanket. "I'm afraid not, but just enjoy the feeling for now. I'm going to get started, all right? Do you want me to explain everything I'm doing?"
I shake my head because I don't need to know when he's going to cut into me or put a wire in my heart. I'm pretty sure it'd just freak me out. "I'm good."
"All right. Any music preferences?"
I smile. "Nope; surprise me."
He calls for some classic seventies music, starting with Mr. Blue Sky. He keeps the details to a minimum as he works, but tells me when something might hurt or be uncomfortable. It's not the most pleasant experience, if I'm being honest, but between the meds and his singing along to the music, I'm calm and manage to stay as still as he needs me to.
He puts the device under my skin on the right side of my chest because I'm left handed, and while I'm numb and can't feel any pain, I can feel his touch around my collarbone bone and I shiver.
"Doing okay?" he asks, looking down at me.
I nod. "Yeah, sorry."
His eyes crinkle, a smile forming under the mask. "Don't be. We're almost done, so we're going to give you more of the sedative to put you to sleep so we can test the device."
I'm actually relieved. With my mind a blurry mess, most of my thoughts have been rather inappropriate, and I'm terrified one will slip. Like telling him his eyes are the most beautiful emeralds. Or that I like his tattoos, which are now hidden. I've gotten a better look at them since our time on the plane, and I love the way the ink looks etched into his skin. He has an entire sleeve on his left arm, a few Army ones, an incredibly intricate clock that must have some meaning, and even a sick Darth Vader one. I often wonder if there's more on his back, which I imagine to be perfectly toned.
Fuck, I need to go to sleep quickly before I slip.
Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.
