Savior

Chapter 87

-xx-

Cate looked up from the notebooks laid out on the coffee table and sighed. After going out with Jackie to get an outfit for the shower that upcoming weekend, she set herself to work at the apartment. She was making lists of things needed for the wedding and another list of things for the new house.

She had kept her word and tried to relax as much as she could when they arrived back at the apartment, though she did make a detour to check in at the house when they landed.

Derek boasted about the new countertops and flooring in the kitchen and open living room; he even agreed that the taupe color on the wall was perfect for their vision. It was going to be carried throughout the main floor and the hallway on the second floor.

Cate even finalized plans with Jeff and his team for the master bathroom renovations. It was the one thing she was willing to fight Derek on, even though he saw no issue with it the way it was. Color schemes and flooring decisions had been finalized for the master bedroom and the first guest bedroom.

Derek had walked in to the second bedroom, the closest to the master, and saw Cate sitting in the middle of the floor and taking in the entire room.

"It's going to make the perfect nursery one day," she muttered as she could feel his presence in the doorway.

The black man smiled as he rested against the door frame. "When its time, Catie," he replied. "I will make this perfect, myself."

She licked her lips as she ran her hand across the floor in front of her. For once, she was willing to look at the future with an open mind; she was no longer going to worry about the injuries she had suffered three years ago. She was ready to linger in the anticipation of starting a family with the amazing man standing behind her.

Derek crossed the threshold and knelt on the floor behind Cate. She eased into his arms as he wrapped them around her from behind. "I will make this room exactly what you want," he promised.

A glance at the clock caused a sigh to escape her lips. Derek was due home from work at any minute and then they were off to the vineyard to sample their reception dinner options.

Cate tapped her pen against her notebook and laid it across the page before standing from the couch.

-xx-

Derek hung back a few steps as he watched his fiancée and Shelby walk through the reception space. They had the tent up for an upcoming event the following night, so Cate was able to take in the entire set-up. He could not help the grin crossing his lips as the two went back and forth on different ideas.

"This is where the DJ or band usually sets up," Shelby gestured to the area she was standing in. "And since you chose a DJ who usually works with us, I know he'll be the perfect fit."

Cate grinned as she turned to take in the tent space from where their DJ would be set up. She started pointing things out to Shelby, where specific tables were going to be set up. "Sweetheart table here," she muttered, and then made an outline with her hand of the dance floor.

Derek stepped away from the two to take in the rest of the oversized event tent. Cate seemed to be in her element as she worked with their wedding coordinator. He found himself standing next to the fire pit; a grin took over his face as he remembered the night Cate fell in love with this vineyard. He took a seat and rested his forearms on his knees as he leant towards the glowing fire.

He had to pinch himself; in less than a year, he was able to open up and fall in love with an incredible woman. A woman who not only loved him with all she had, but she tolerated his career. He understood her reservations about it; he had those same reservations when he started all those years ago. He had watched his parent's marriage suffer on occasion because of his father's workload.

But he was willing to do whatever it took to make that woman happy for the rest of her life. He would move mountains for her if she so much as asked him to.

"Catie," he called out gently as his cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

PROFILERS ASSEMBLE. He chuckled at the text message from Garcia, but inwardly groaned knowing full well there was a case that could not wait until the morning.

"Baby," he called out once more as the two women started in his direction.

Derek held up his phone and Cate could tell just by the reaction on his face. She just nodded and turned towards Shelby. "I'm so sorry, but we're going to have to cut this short," Cate said softly. "Work calls," she said as she gestured towards Derek and his cell phone.

"I completely understand," Shelby replied with a bright smile. "I am going to draw up a few seating designs and I will e-mail them to you. Take your time in letting me know which one you'd prefer."

Cate smiled kindly. "Thank you so much," she responded.

"Shelby, thank you," Derek said as he stood from his seat at the fire pit. The two shook hands. "Cate raves about working with you, so I want to just thank you for making her so happy."

Shelby tugged on her blazer as she pulled her hand back. "This is why I love my job – I get to make the most important day of your lives so memorable. Cate has been amazing to work with; even under our time restraint – she has been the best!"

Cate tucked her head away as the blush rose in her cheeks. "We'd better be getting back. I'll keep an eye out for that e-mail."

The brunette slipped her arm around Derek's as the two started back towards the parking lot and to Derek's truck. "I'm sorry," he muttered.

Cate shrugged against his bicep. "No biggie," she replied. "I'm just glad you were able to come for dinner."

Derek lifted her hand and pressed his lips against the back of her hand. "I didn't want to rush you out," he answered.

"I know," Cate said with a slight sigh. "But its fine – work comes first."

Derek pursed his lips as he unlocked the truck and opened the passenger door for her. He waited for her to be situated in her seat before closing her door and stepping around to the driver's side. "It shouldn't have to be like this, Cate."

Again, the brunette shrugged. "Derek, its fine, I swear. We were going over things that can be done by e-mail. Don't beat yourself up about it." She focused on her cell phone as he started the truck.

"I'll make it up to you," he promised.

She pursed her lips into a smile. "Just be there on October 20th, okay?"

"That's a guarantee," he added.

-xx-