Savior

Chapter 104

-xx-

Cate pulled her sweatshirt closer to her body as she danced the rest of the night away with Penelope, Emily and JJ. The navy blue zip up was a gift from Derek's sisters; the colors matched their bridesmaid gowns and the dusty rose lettering on the back matched the flowers in the centerpieces.

'Mrs. Morgan' was emblazoned the back of the sweatshirt as well. Cate wore the piece with pride.

"So she can dance," Desiree said with a laugh as the two Morgan sisters waltzed up to the ladies on the dance floor. "We were wrong!"

"Penelope has given me great tips," the brunette responded before winking in the bubbly blonde's direction. "I know I can't keep up with my hubby, but I can certainly try!"

The ladies looked towards the man in question as he entertained Madison on the dance floor. Cate's heart swooned at the sight of her new husband and her goddaughter. Madison could not stop giggling as Derek twirled her around the dance floor.

"Enough wine will help too," JJ added as a smirk crossed her lips.

Cate shrugged at the suggestion. "That's what happens when you host a wedding at a vineyard," Emily pointed out. "There's copious amounts of alcohol every where you turn."

"It makes for a good story," Garcia said with a laugh.

Cate grinned as she looked around the dance floor. It was the most packed as she had seen it all night. Her entire bridal party and their significant others were dispersed throughout the crowd; Cate's co-workers had joined the party on the dance floor as well.

Slowly, Derek's co-workers started to join the women on the dance floor. Beth and Krystall joined as well.

She squealed when she felt two arms wrap around her waist from behind, but instantly relaxed when she picked up on Derek's cologne. "You ladies don't mind if I steal my wife for a bit do you?"

"Not at all," Emily said with a grin crossing her face.

"You just like saying 'wife,'" Penelope shot back with a raised eyebrow.

Derek nodded. "I do," he said as a smirk took over his own lips. "Especially when I am lucky enough to have a wife this beautiful."

Cate tucked her face away as the blush began to grow in her cheeks. "Go love birds," Penelope called out and waved the two off with a laugh. Derek chuckled as he took his wife's hand in his and twirled her away from the gaggle of ladies.

Just seeing her new name across the back of her sweatshirt brought a smile to Derek's face. He would never be able to admit how proud he was to share his name with her. His mother kept raving about her new daughter-in-law, and he knew if his father was around, Hank Morgan would be thrilled with his choice for a wife.

"There is too much dress here," Derek said with a sigh. Cate rolled her eyes as he pulled her as close as possible. "I know I've told you a million times tonight, but you are absolutely stunning."

"Thank you," she muttered softly. She eyed him up and down while grinning. "After all of your complaining, you're still wearing most of that suit, huh?"

He nodded sheepishly. "Today is about you. I want to make you happy."

Cate shook her head. "Today is about us," she corrected. Her fingers started to pull out the gray vest from his waistband. "You need to be comfortable to enjoy yourself."

Derek placed his hands on top of hers to stop her. "I'm always happy if you're happy," he said softly. "I can handle a few more hours in this for you."

"Two," she said with a frown. "There's only like two more hours."

Derek shrugged. "And knowing your sister, they've already planned an after party back at the hotel."

Cate lifted an eyebrow in his direction as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Did I wear you out last night?" Derek scoffed at her words. "So much for consummating the marriage."

Derek tightened his grip on her waist causing her blue orbs to travel back to his face. "I can never get enough of you," he reminded her. "But I know you enjoy spending time with your family."

Her nails danced across the base of his neck. The twinkle in her eye caught him slightly off guard. "Tonight is not about them," she whispered in his ear. "You've been mentioning our wedding night for weeks. Don't disappoint me now."

She placed a kiss just under his ear. Derek could feel her grin against his skin. "I only aim to please, baby," he replied.

Cate slowly pulled away from his ear as he slipped his hand on to her cheek before placing his lips on hers.

-xx-

"Ladies and gentlemen – it is time for the last song of the night for our bride and groom!" Cate turned from her conversation with Grace and Maura from work at the announcement. Derek was heading in her direction from the tables where his family sat.

She grinned when she heard the first few strains of the song. Derek reached out to take her hand and led her towards the dance floor. "I know this was one of your favorites," he said with a wink.

Cate nodded. "It is," she agreed as they started dancing. "Brunch tomorrow," she said softly. Derek lifted an eyebrow in her direction. "Jackie put together a brunch for everyone who flew in tomorrow. We officially have the rest of the night to ourselves."

Derek beamed as he spun his new bride across the dance floor.

And we'll build this love from the ground up
Now 'til forever it's all of me, all of you
Just take my hand
And I'll be the man your dad hoped that I'd be

She gripped his shoulder as he sang in to her ear. She fought the laugh rising from her chest; just months ago, Derek had such a disdain for the music she liked, but in time, he grew to like some of it. She knew it was all for her, but it made her happy to know he put in the time and effort.

"This means we can start on Operation Baby now, right?" he asked with a wiggle of his brows. He would never get enough of the laugh that escaped the brunette's lips.

"Consider it officially started," she said with a wink in his direction. She giggled when Derek lifted her in to a spin in the middle of the dance floor. "Ready to get out of here?" she asked with a content sigh leaving her lips.

Derek nodded. "I am most certainly ready to take you home," he whispered in her ear. "Well, back to the hotel for tonight."

She looked for Kristin and Shelby as they started off of the dance floor. Shelby was setting up just outside of the tent and Kristin was scurrying away from the dance floor to where the wedding coordinator was.

Cate could not contain her smile; she was praying the weather held off for today, and not just for the outside ceremony. When Shelby mentioned they started doing sparkler send-offs, Cate could not hide her excitement. "It'll be the perfect send-off," Shelby said at their last meeting.

She could see their guests start to head out of the tent and line up on both sides of the walkway where they were given their sparklers. Once Cate and Derek gave the thumbs up that they were ready to head out, they were all lit.

The brunette grinned the entire way through the pathway surrounded by their closest friends and family. She knew Kristin was snapping away at the end of the walkway, and the photos were going to come out great. They stopped close to the end to seal the night with a kiss.

-xx-