Savior

Chapter 90

-xx-

Cate sighed as she ran her fingers through the curls in her hair. Jackie was due at the apartment any minute, but Cate chuckled knowing that she's not the only child who is never on time.

She took one last look at herself in the mirror and smiled at her appearance. Cate was able to find a dress that she loved; it was an off the shoulder white lace dress that stopped just above her knees. She matched it with a pair of simple heels.

The brunette was trying her best to find a smile for the day. It should be a great day – she was able to celebrate their upcoming wedding with their friends and family.

It just would have been better if Derek had made it home from their case.

"It's a ladies party anyways," he said quietly over the phone. "We knew this was a possibility, and I'm sorry I can't be there."

Cate sighed as she pulled his pillow closer to her chest. "It's fine," she said dismissively. "We need you out protecting the world."

She could almost picture him in his hotel room; sitting at the desk and running a hand over his head. He explained that they were taking a break for dinner at the hotel, but that usually meant everyone went off to their own rooms to go over their profiles separately.

"Besides, I think you'll be happy to miss it," she said with a huff. "My mother is known to throw over the top showers."

"I wish I could be there to see it," he replied softly. "I'm going to make it up to you, Cate."

She pursed her lips. "Just come home to me safely."

"I promise," he whispered into the phone, causing goose bumps to crawl up and down her arms. "Just a few more days, baby."

"I can't wait to see you," she mumbled. It was one of the longest cases she had to deal with. Tonight would be the sixth night in a row she was going to bed by herself.

"Very soon," he replied. "I love you."

She grinned at his words. "Love you, too," she responded.

A knock at the apartment door broke her from her thoughts. "Coming," Cate called out as she started down the hallway.

She opened the door to see Jackie standing on the other side, juggling a tray of coffee with her purse. "Morning," she offered.

"Its noon," Cate replied with a raised eyebrow.

Jackie shrugged. "Whatever." She thrust the tray of coffees towards Cate and started off towards the bathroom. "I've had to pee since I got in line next door!"

"So you do like that coffee shop," Cate teased as she placed the tray down on the kitchen island. "Monty does a good job over there. I will actually miss it!"

Cate busied herself with making sure her purse was all set. She unplugged her cell phone from the charging port in the kitchen and checked the messages on there quickly.

She stopped on the incoming text from Derek; she had sent him a photo from earlier in the day of her dressed for their shower.

You are absolutely stunning. Save that dress – I want to see it on in person. xo

"Wipe that smirk off your face," Jackie quipped sarcastically as she stepped out of the bathroom. "You look great," she complimented.

"Thanks," Cate mumbled back. "I'm glad you spilled the beans – can you imagine what I'd be wearing otherwise."

The two sisters laughed. "On a Sunday afternoon?" Jackie asked as she pondered the question. "Mom would kill you if you wore jeans and a t-shirt."

Cate rolled her eyes. "It would be her own fault if she didn't give me the heads up!"

Jackie took a sip of her coffee and nodded. "Very true," she agreed. "But knowing her, she'd have something picked out for you."

"It would go great with the rest of my disheveled look," Cate joked. "If I didn't know about this, I wouldn't have put in the effort this morning."

Jackie rested against the island. "You have been listening when I teach you new things," she said with a chuckle. "Though you could have gotten away with a bold lip with that outfit."

Cate shrugged. "I have no idea what that means," she said with a laugh. "I got the palettes you told me about and followed the damn tutorials online." She pulled up the camera on her phone and set it to selfie. "I think I look good."

"You do," Jackie admitted. "I just like giving you shit because you're my little sister."

Cate grinned as her sister snuck in behind her to snap a photo with her.

-xx-

"Put your phone down," Cate glanced up to see her mother standing over her. "Be in the moment, Catherine. Mingle with your guests."

The brunette sighed before stuffing her cell phone in her purse. She glanced around the rental hall and grinned. She would admit – Helena put a lot of work into setting the space for her daughter's shower. Of course, she knew the restaurant better than most people after hosting three previous bridal showers at the same venue.

There were accents of the navy and burgundy, much to Cate's pleasure, and the centerpieces were different shades of the dusty rose her mother loved.

She stood from her seat at the family table and sauntered around the room making small talk with friends of her mothers. It seemed as if Helena Johnson just needed a reason to throw a party together and show off in front of her friends.

Her own friends from school and work took over three tables in the corner – Grace quipped that they were closer to the mimosa bar. The brunette started towards the table with her co-workers.

She offered a wave before slipping into a vacated seat next to Grace. "Just a few more weeks," the redhead offered with a grin. "Are you excited?"

"For Aruba?" Cate asked jokingly. "Absolutely! Fun in the sun!" The entire table laughed as they all knew about the trip – several of them were invited as well. "But yeah, I'm really excited. Mostly because it'll all be over and my mother will not be calling me at all hours of the night asking what I have done."

"She's excited for you," Maura added from across the table. "And we all know Helena is sad that this is the last wedding she gets to plan."

Cate chuckled and thanked a co-worker as they handed her a glass of mimosa. "I already gave her Grace's information. She's just waiting to hear that they're finally getting married."

The table broke out in laughter.

"Cate!" The brunette in question turned around towards the front entranceway of the hall. "Can you come over this way?"

She took a hearty sip of her mimosa before placing the glass back on the table and following her mother's instruction.

Just as she neared where her mother was standing, she watched Derek step into the hall with a bouquet of roses.

Her eyes started to well up with tears as she stepped closer to him, and ultimately gave in as he pulled her into his arms.

"You didn't actually think I was going to miss this, did you?" he whispered in her ear.

-xx-