Savior

Chapter 101

-xx-

"My cheeks are going to hurt so bad tomorrow," Cate said in a mock complaint. "I can't stop smiling."

Derek grinned at her admission. "This," he began as he waved towards the tent and the cocktail area. "Is amazing, Catie." She nodded. "You did an amazing job."

Her lips settled in to a soft smile. "It's pretty amazing, huh?" She turned towards the area where their friends and family were and relished in the peace they were surrounded in.

"Cate and Derek," Kristin, their photographer, called over. "Its just you guys now – your bridal party is off to mingle with your guests."

Cate nodded and followed the redhead a little further in to the vineyard for more shots of just the two of them.

-xx-

"It is my pleasure, to introduce for the very first time, the new Mr. and Mrs. Derek Morgan!" their DJ announced as Cate and Derek made their way in to the tent for the reception.

The brunette made sure to keep a tight hold on Derek's hand as the two danced their way to the middle of the dance floor. The music from their introduction slowly started to wind in to "Heaven" by Kane Brown.

Derek twirled Cate around the dance floor before slipping a hand to the small of her back. "You are absolutely radiant," Derek whispered softly in her ear.

She could only grin at his words. Cate truly felt like a princess, but seeing Derek's reaction as her father walked her down the aisle was the icing on the cake for her. "Thank you," she mumbled. "You look pretty great yourself."

Derek laughed as they danced across the floor. He could not wait to shed the jacket and vest, but he knew how much Cate loved seeing him wearing them.

He could not get enough of his bride. Her gown was made just for her. When she hinted at it weeks before, and said it was not was he would expect, he thought she was just trying to get him off of the trail. But when she stepped out to the end of the aisle, his breath caught in his throat. It was completely different than what he expected, but it was so her. It was feminine, strong and ultimately beautiful.

It was the smile that seemed to be permanently residing on her face that he was the most in love with. Her happiness was genuine, and it seemed nothing was going to let it falter.

"I love you, so much," she muttered to her new husband as the two stayed close to each other for their first dance.

"I love you," he offered back, acknowledging the emotion he was trying to hold back. "That watch is beautiful, too. Thank you."

She smiled before letting him claim her lips in a kiss. Derek pulled back to twirl his wife one last time before the song ended.

The two walked hand in hand to their sweetheart table. Cate reached for the glass of water and took a hearty sip before taking a seat for a moment. She wanted to take in the atmosphere.

The reception area was set up just how she wanted it. The centerpieces Grace's mother put together were stunning; no two were the same. The rose gold overlays on the tables made each of them pop.

Cate turned to her right to see Jackie walking up to her with her customized tumbler in her hand. The navy blue bottle was adorned with 'Bride' and 'Catherine' down the side in rose gold glittered letters. "Thank you," she offered to Jackie as she took the cup from her.

"Make sure you stay hydrated," her sister reminded her before tapping her own cup against her sister's. "Let me know if you need anything."

The younger brunette nodded as Jackie started back towards the table where their bridal party was seated with their spouses.

"Want to go say hi to everyone?" Derek asked softly from his seat next to her. She nodded.

-xx-

Cate grinned as she took Will's vacated seat at the table for Derek's co-workers. "You look gorgeous, Cate," JJ offered softly from the seat next to her. "This is all stunning."

She beamed and nodded. "Thank you," she said with a content sigh. "I can't believe it's here, and now it's almost over."

"We haven't even gotten the party started yet," Penelope called from the other side of the table. "Once that dance floor is open, it's really going to get started!"

"I'm sticking with you ladies," Cate answered. "Sarah and Desiree always point out that Derek married someone who doesn't dance."

Chuckles came from around the table. "We'll take care of you," Emily added with a smile. "We can't let the bride look out of place."

"Much appreciated," the brunette said softly. "Thank you all for coming. I know Derek is pretty excited that you're all here."

She turned towards the section outside of the tent where the cigar bar Derek requested was set up. "Leave 'em," JJ said with a light laugh. "You're going to get some pretty good pictures out of that."

"I hope so," Cate added.

"I can't wait to see Reid attempt to smoke a cigar," Emily said as a smirk crossed her lips. "That will be gold if they capture that!"

"David will teach them," Krystall spoke up.

JJ nodded. "I'll never forget being at the Rossi household for 'family dinner' one night and Dave took out his cigar collection!"

Emily shrieked as JJ reminded the table of the night. "Whiskey and cigar night," she announced. "I think that was a favorite for Hotch and Derek!"

"It was the one thing D asked that we added on," Cate said softly. "I couldn't say no!"

"Ah, you're learning the art of compromise," JJ said with a wink in Cate's direction. "Will is a cigar fan as well, so he's in his happy place over there."

Cate took a sip from her glass of wine. "I agreed to the cigar bar if I got the photo booth," she said nonchalantly. "He doesn't know that the photo booth came with the package, but we don't need to tell him that."

The laughter at the table was infectious. "What he doesn't know won't kill him," Penelope announced. "I'm sure you had to 'compromise' a few other things to get him all dressed up."

The brunette turned towards their sweetheart table where Derek had shed his jacket before they started to mingle with their guests. "I had to beg a little bit," she admitted. "But it was worth it – he looked amazing."

"Catherine," the bride closed her eyes and pursed her lips as she could hear her mother call her name. Helena neared the table as Cate fixated a smile to her face. "Dinner is going to be served shortly. You should go get Derek."

She nodded. "I will," she confirmed. "Thank you, mother."

Helena nodded before starting back towards one of the family tables. "She likes to be in charge, huh?" Emily asked softly.

Cate nodded once more. "She loves being in charge," Cate replied. "That's the only reason I'm happy all of the planning is over."

JJ placed a comforting hand to her forearm. "That's a mother for you," she said with a smile. "They mean the best, but they can be overbearing."

"That is true," Cate agreed. "I should go bring the men back in before dinner is served."

"We'll meet up on the dance floor," Penelope promised as Cate stood from Will's seat.

Cate winked in Garcia's direction before grabbing her glass of wine and starting back towards their table. Derek stepped up to their table just as she reached it from the opposite side.

He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him; she had to juggle her wine glass as to not spill anything on the two of them. "Look at my beautiful wife," he said softly. The beaming grin on his lips made her heart race.

Cate tried to ignore the flashes from the cameras next to them as they kissed.

-xx-