Savior

Chapter 68

-xx-

Cate grinned as she caught the man in her passenger seat. Derek was busy typing away on his cell phone; a small price to pay for escaping the office for a longer than usual lunch. The brunette was so excited that Derek was able to join her for the closing.

"So," he began as he looked up from his phone. "Now that we have a move in date, what is the plan?"

"Since we still have the apartment, we might as well do some of the upgrades before we move in." Derek nodded.

He tightened his grip on the seat belt across his chest as Cate swerved on the highway. "Speed limits, woman. You're not in a race."

She laughed. "I've heard stories from JJ," she answered, mentioning his driving in the field.

He held his hands up in defense. "I like to think that's a little different," he responded. "I'm usually chasing a suspect, not trying to get back to my office."

Cate sighed as she reached to the center console for her cup of coffee. She took a sip and looked away from the road for a moment to place the cup back down. "Does my driving make you nervous?" she asked with a chuckle.

"Yeah," he admitted. "I've seen you pull into your parent's house; the people on Cardinal Road have no idea what they're in for."

The brunette shrugged. "Anyways," she said with a laugh, "I'm planning a wedding, you can schedule the contractors."

"Good thing this house is not in need of a lot of updates," he said as his phone beeped in his hand, signaling a new e-mail.

"It's really only the main floor that needs adjustments." She sighed as she stopped at a red light and adjusted her sunglasses. "And once we tear down part of the wall between the living room and kitchen, we should be good to go with the new floor."

Derek laughed softly to himself as he scrolled through his e-mails. "That's not what you said last time we were there."

She licked her lips as she waited for the light to turn back. "I can deal with the paint colors for a few weeks, D," she added. "It's not the top priority right now."

"Paint before we put anything in there, Catie," he replied. "Jeff and his team know what the plan is. I figure if we schedule for an October 1st move in, that leaves them plenty of time." Derek gripped the door as Cate sped out when the light turned green. "Jesus," he muttered as he sat up further in the seat. "Leave me in charge of this, babe."

She grinned. "I just sell houses, honey. I don't know how to decorate or renovate them," she admitted. "The quicker we have a place to call our own, the better."

Derek's smile matched her as he reached across the center console to take her hand. "I will make this the perfect home for us," he promised. "It will take time, Catie, so you need to be patient."

"Patient," she repeated with a laugh. "I just moved up our wedding date by nine months because I'm not very patient."

Derek chuckled. "Point taken," she replied. "But if you want me to make this your dream home, you need to relax."

She pursed her lips as she pulled into the FBI Headquarters parking lot. "I'm leaving it in your very capable hands," she said with a wink. "I know you'll make it perfect."

Derek sighed as she stopped in the front of his building. He leant across the center console to place a kiss to her lips. "I'll see you tonight," he said with a smirk.

"You better," she answered with a smile. "We need to celebrate," she said as she lifted the keys to their new home from the cup holder.

"You're going to tire me out with all of this celebrating," Derek added as he opened his door. He kissed her one last time.

"Ha," she said with a playful roll of her eyes, "just when I thought you had stamina."

"You have no idea how much stamina I have when it comes to you, Catie," he said with a wink. "I'll grab something for dinner on the way home."

Cate laughed. "Let me know when you're leaving the office. My mother and Jackie want to get together to go over invitations."

"Have fun with that," he said as a smile crossed his face. "I should get in there before Hotch kills me."

"Love you," she called out as he stepped out of her truck.

"Love you more," he replied as he shut the door.

Cate caught herself watching him walk into the building. Her lower lip snuck between her teeth as she focused on his back side; he was so perfectly built that it wasn't even fair. He turned from the front door and winked in her direction before stepping into the building and out of sight.

She sighed before taking the SUV out of park and pulling out of the parking lot on her way back to her own office.

-xx-

"Navy and burgundy," she repeated as she let out a deep sigh. "That's the final decision, Mom."

"But Cate," her mother started from the other side of the table. "You need something light in there, too."

Jackie scoffed from her seat next to Cate. "Mother, let her do what she wants."

"That's all too dark," the matriarch said to the women sitting across from her. "How about some gold," she said as she picked up a golden swatch from the table. "Even just as an accent."

Cate shrugged. "Jackie and I figured this all out last night over video chat." The two laughed as they remembered their 2am video call earlier that day. "I have the suits picked out, and the bridesmaid dresses all but ordered."

She pulled up the saved photos on her phone to show her mother. "Rose gold, mom," Jackie added. "I love these dresses," she said as Cate landed on the photo. "Did you send them to Desi and Sarah?"

Cate nodded. "It's love all around!" Jackie beamed. "It's not too formal, but they're gorgeous."

"And then burgundy flowers, right?" Cate nodded again. "I love them, Cate," Jackie said as she reached for her coffee cup.

"Catherine," her mother said, breaking up the conversation. "There is more than just dresses and suits, my girl."

The two sisters rolled their eyes. "I know, mom, but they're pretty important."

"Speaking of dresses," Jackie interrupted, "You know you need to order yours like yesterday?"

Cate sighed. "I was hoping Auntie could help me out," she directed towards her mother. "She does have all of those connections."

Helena pursed her lips. "I'm sure she could. What did you want?"

"Derek thinks I'm going for something tight and sexy," the brunette said before grabbing her own coffee cup. She watched her mother lick her lips to keep her words at bay. "But I kind of like this look." Cate flipped through more pictures until she stumbled on the few wedding dresses she had in mind.

"Send those to Auntie," Helena said as she picked up her own cell phone. "I'll text her right now to get her on the job."

Cate grinned. "I want to wow him," she said dreamily. "I normally go for more fitted dresses, so I'm hoping that this isn't too different from what I normally love, but it's perfect for a wedding."

"You can borrow mine," Jackie said with a laugh.

"I don't want sleeves, but thanks," Cate answered with a wink. "There was a lot going on with that dress, but it was so you, Jacks."

Helena placed her cell phone back down on the table. "Auntie has been informed. Invitations should be in by the beginning of next week, and we'll have them out by week end."

Cate pursed her lips into a smile as she watched her sister and mother go through her mother's check list. "The vineyard gave us a ton of recommendations of companies they've previously worked with for photography and music, so that should be fairly simple."

"I think you're in good shape, Cate," her sister said from next to her. "For less than two weeks, we've gotten a lot accomplished. And to think – it took me sixteen months to plan my wedding."

Cate laughed at the memory. "You were such a bride-zilla, Jackie."

"Ah, that's the plan? Make this engagement quick and painless so you don't panic like I did?"

She nodded. "Sure, we'll go with that."

"It's one of the biggest differences between you two," their mother added. "Cate is much more laid back."

Cate laughed as Jackie's jaw dropped. "She basically called you a rigid bitch."

The older sister swatted at her sister, but missed as Cate stood from her seat. "I just like things done right," Jackie retorted. "And Steve kept screwing with everything! You're so lucky Derek's hands off."

"He's in charge of the construction at the new house, on top of working ridiculous hours. I am lucky to have you two so willing to help me plan."

Cate's phone dinged in her pocket. "Speak of the devil," her mother said with a grin. "Let's wrap this up," she began as she started packing up the swatches she had on the table. "I will let you know what Auntie says, but send her what you're thinking of. She may have some other options for you, too."

Cate wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. "Thank you, mama." She kissed her cheek. "For everything."

"It'll be perfect, Cate. Don't you worry," her mother said softly.

-xx-