Savior
Chapter 84
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"Thank you," Cate said as Brendan placed a fresh wine glass in front of her on the table.
"You looked like you needed it," he replied as he slipped into Derek's vacated seat. "I'm sure Jamie wishes she could join you for a glass."
Cate smirked as she leant in to whisper in Brendan's. "There are so many of them," she said with a laugh. "How do you keep them all straight?"
Brendan chuckled. "I've known them since I was a kid," he answered with a shrug. "Auntie Yvonne and Cindi," he said and pointed to the two women in question, "are probably the closest ones in here."
"Derek talks about them a lot," she replied with a smile. "They were really close when they were younger, huh?"
Brendan nodded. "If Derek wasn't at my house, he was usually at Aunt Von's when his parents were working." He smiled at the memory. "If only we knew what would be in store for us at 40."
"He's not 40 yet," Cate said with a wink.
Brendan held his hands up. "Neither am I, but we're getting close." He took a sip from his beer bottle. "Derek hits the big 4-0 in June."
Cate pursed her lips together. "I will be in touch about planning something for his birthday."
He smiled. "Nolan is due in December," he mentioned as his grin grew. "But I'm sure I could get Jamie to go away for a weekend for my brother's birthday."
"Well, hopefully we won't be too far behind you guys," Cate said softly.
"Really?" Brendan asked as he leant back in his chair. "D would be the best father."
"I think so, too," she agreed. Cate lifted her wine glass and swirled the liquid inside before taking a hearty sip.
"Woah, woah, woah," Cate laughed at the voice. "I get up to dance with my grandma and my best friend hops into my seat."
Brendan rolled his eyes as he held his hand out to shake his best friend's hand. "You left her all by her lonesome," Brendan bartered. "Someone had to keep her company."
Brendan winked in her direction as he stood from his seat and grabbed his beer bottle. He clapped Derek on the shoulder before starting back towards the table where his wife was waiting for him. Derek held his hand out to Cate. "Would you do me the honor?"
She grinned as she took one last sip of wine before standing from her seat.
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Cate let out a deep breath as she rested next to the bar counter. "To be a Morgan, you need to brush up on your dance skills."
She grinned as Sarah stepped up to the bar next to her. "Dancing has never been my strong suit," she replied with a laugh. "Derek is really good, though."
Sarah placed her order with the bartender and turned back to the ballroom as the two watched Desiree hike up her dress as she made her way to the bar. "He was sneaking in to parties and clubs when he was a teenager," Sarah joked. "It was 'easier' to snag the ladies when you can dance like that, he used to say."
Desiree laughed as she stepped up to the bar and grinned at her sister when she handed her the shot glass. "Don't worry, Cate," Desi said as she adjusted the skirt of her ball gown. "We'll take care of the dance floor at your wedding next month."
"Much appreciated," Cate replied with a laugh. She let out a sigh as Sarah handed her a glass as well. "To Desiree and Collin!"
"To this whole thing being over," Desi replied with a laugh as the three downed their drinks. "Don't get me wrong – this is stunning and more than I ever could have dreamed of." Cate blotted at her lips as they placed their empty glasses back on the counter. "But my new mother-in-law went overboard with this whole thing."
Sarah scoffed. "That's what you get for marrying an only child," she said as a chuckle escaped her lips. "She only gets one chance to do this," she emphasized her words as she pointed out the overly decorated ballroom, "So it was go big or go home."
"Just don't expect this next month," Cate said with a grin. "I'm a little bit more low-key, much to my mother's disappointment." She thanked the bartender and picked up her new glass of wine. "My sister's was like this, though, because she was the first to get married."
"Deshawn and I ran off to city hall," Sarah said with a smirk. "And then we hosted a big family dinner to tell everyone." She sighed, "We video chatted with Derek because he was off on a case."
"You know he would have been there if he could," Cate replied softly. "I'm going to attempt to get him back here more often."
Sarah nodded. "His work comes first," Desi said gently. Desiree turned as she heard her name being called. "I'll be back."
The two watched as she took off towards her new husband. "We'd love for him to be around more – I know Mom misses him a lot, but he loves Quantico. Even when he's not working, we know he's pretty busy. At least now we know he's in good hands."
Cate grinned. "I do my best, but he's a tough one." The pair laughed.
"And speaking of my mother," Sarah began as she gripped her glass in her hand. "She said she found something in the bathroom yesterday morning, but she was too embarrassed to ask Derek about it."
Sarah laughed as Cate's face dropped. "Oh shit," she mumbled. "He didn't hide it in the barrel."
"In Mama's defense, it is a tiny barrel and there was nothing else in there."
Cate quickly took a sip of her wine as she let the conversation replay in her head as she tried her best to answer Sarah's questioning eyes. "After a few glasses of wine at dinner the other night, I mentioned to Derek that I wanted to stop my birth control." Sarah's eyes widened at the explanation. "I was going to stop after that package, but he kind of talked me out of waiting. A month isn't too long, anyways."
"I'm a little shocked," Sarah admitted, "but I do know he will be amazing."
Cate beamed at Sarah's admission. "I think so, too. I watch him with my nieces and nephews, and it's so great."
Sarah placed a hand to Cate's bicep. "I'm so happy for both of you. I'm extremely happy he has decided to settle down, and we could not be more excited about who he's chosen."
"I'm the lucky one," Cate replied. "I'm getting some pretty amazing in-laws!"
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