The Best Laid Plans

Why did I write this? Cause I wanted to really utilize the effect of flipping POVs.


Enjoy, Noodle! Or don't, I really don't care at this point I'm still going to keep writing these.


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Carter woke to the soft murmur of Donovan's voice. She twisted in the bed to face him but found him sitting on the edge of the mattress, his back to her. She blinked the sleep from her eyes as she slowly registered what he was saying.


"Yes," he said. A pause. "I know, I'm not worried."


There was a soft lilt to his tone that made Carter frown, wondering who he could be talking to.


"The Thinking Cup Cafe," Donovan said. "I'll see you there." A beat. "Me too."


Without even seeing his face, Carter knew there was a tiny smile on his lips. It filled the simple statements with warmth. Who in the world was on the other line? It wasn't a tone Donovan used that often and not to anyone Carter could think of. Donovan hung up.


"Who was that?" she asked.


Donovan started and turned around. "Hey, you're awake." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Morning."


He rose and rounded the bed, heading for the bathroom. Carter followed him and propped herself up on her elbow.


"Who was on the phone?"


"What?" He glanced down at his phone. "Oh! It was...Brock. I'm going to shower then go out for breakfast. I know you like to sleep in so I figured I wouldn't wake up for something like breakfast."


Carter simply nodded and Donovan walked to the bathroom. Warm tone, whispering, startled, evasion, avoidance. All the signs pointed to one thing. Well for anyone else they pointed to one thing, to Carter it was something completely different. She almost laughed.


Donovan worked so hard to act like he wasn't being obvious that he was being completely obvious. After all, Carter knew the type of undercover roles he'd taken. He could walk into a mafia lair and they'd believe he was one of them. So Donovan acting out of sorts was like he was waving a sign about what he was trying to do.


Considering what day it was Carter thought about calling him out, telling him his plan was a bust. Instead, she lay back down, deciding to play along. After all, she was curious to see what he had planned.


Donovan returned from his shower and headed into their closet. Carter watched him as he inspected a couple of shirts before deciding on one. Another obvious action. He paired the nice blue polo shirt with one of his newer pairs of jeans.


"You look nice," Carter commented when he reentered the room, wanting him to think she noticed for the reasons he wanted.


Donovan laughed. "Carter, you think anything besides sweats and a t-shirt is nice. But thank you. I'll be back later."


When he left without kissing her goodbye, Carter stared at the ceiling, knowing that if she didn't follow Donovan she'd put a wrench in his plans. Part of her felt just lazy enough that not leaving the bed felt like a good idea. But after a few minutes in which she realized she wasn't going to fall back asleep, she tossed the blanket aside.


As she finished getting ready by throwing up her hair into a messy bun, she was almost annoyed with how he'd given her the location of where he was going for breakfast. Did he think she needed her hand held in order to find her husband? It was kind of insulting.


The Thinking Cup was more of a restaurant slash cafe with its large dining area mixed with a section of couches and armchairs. It was the perfect place to go for brunch. Or be somewhere where no one was likely to notice you among the dozens of other people. Carter entered and stepped out of the path of the doorway, scanning the tables.


She spotted Donovan towards the back and looked to who sat across from him. Oh, would you look at that another woman. Carter was so utterly shocked, yes how dare he! She paused, he did want her to storm over there? Or was she supposed to tail them?


Deciding he wanted her to tail them, Carter ordered coffee and a bagel, then snagged a spot in one of the armchairs. It was a spot where she could glimpse Donovan and this mystery woman.


Carter vaguely recognized the woman but couldn't pinpoint from where. She mentally shrugged, it's not like it mattered.


Carter messed with her phone as she waited for them to eventually move. She was growing bored by the time they rose and left. Though she felt she should try to appear like she was being inconspicuous, she really didn't have the energy for it.


Carter glanced out the window, watching them. Instead of parting, they moved down the sidewalk together. Fine, she'd followed them. She stood and left the Thinking Cup. Their pace was leisurely as if they had nowhere to be at any time. Carter wanted to roll her eyes, this was not how she'd planned to spend her day. But she loved Donovan so she'd go along with this. She just couldn't believe he'd think she'd buy any of this.


When the pair entered a jewelry store and started perusing the displays. From outside, she peered through the window. At one point, Donovan held up a necklace to the woman's throat as if seeing how it looked on her. The woman smiled and nodded. Donovan purchased the necklace.


The pair continued on with Carter following. At one point, Donovan checked his phone then pointed to the opposite street. Finally! They crossed and Carter did as well, at least they were making their way back to the apartment.


When Donovan held the door to the apartment building open to the woman, Carter waited. She walked into the lobby right as the elevator doors closed on the pair. The highlighted number was the one for their floor.


Taking the stairs, Carter managed to arrive on their floor only a couple of seconds after Donovan and the woman exited the elevator. Carter watched through the crack in the stairwell doorway as Donovan led the woman to their apartment door. As the door swung shut behind them, Carter left her hideout. She thought about not entering the apartment and ruining Donovan's plans but again she figured if he went through all this ridiculous trouble he might as well get a fake surprised face for his efforts.


She grabbed the door handle.


******


Donovan held the phone to his ear and glanced back at Carter, still fast asleep.


"You know this could blow up in your face," Brock said.


"Probably. But I'm willing to risk it."


Brock laughed. "After three years of marriage is this how you keep the romance alive?"


"This is how I do something for a wife that knows everything."


Behind him, Donovan heard Carter stirring. It was time to put the plan into action.


"I'm looking forward to seeing you," Donovan said, softening his voice.


"I take it our girl is awake then?"


The mattress shifted and Donovan knew Carter must have rolled over.


"Yes," he said.


"Well know that if she kills you for this, I will be the one standing over your grave saying, 'I told you so'."


"I know," Donovan said. "I'm not worried."


Again he kept his tone gentle. It was a tone he only ever used with Carter. Which should spark something in Carter's mind.


"You should probably give her the location now," Brock said. "She's most likely awake enough to hear it."


"The Thinking Cup Cafe," Donovan said, sensing Carter's attention. "I'll see you there."


"I hope this is worth it, man," Brock said.


"Me too," Donovan said, smiling a little.


This whole plan could go off perfectly, or end in utter disaster. It was a toss up. Donovan hung up and stared at his phone, waiting for Carter to say something, knowing she would.


"Who was that?" she asked.


He pretended to be startled by her question as if he hadn't known she was awake. This part he had to play perfectly or she'd see through it.


"Hey, you're awake." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Morning."


As he rounded the bed and headed for the bathroom, he knew Carter caught the evasiveness. He just needed her to point it out. This was a spot he couldn't predict. Carter might shrug it off and go back to sleep, or she could push. He needed her to push.


"Who was on the phone?"


Good.


"What?" He made his voice almost puzzled like he didn't know what she was talking about. To add to the effect, he glanced down at his phone. "Oh! It was...Brock." The pause was deliberate. Carter would notice. "I'm going to shower then go out for breakfast. I know you like to sleep in so I figured I wouldn't wake up for something like breakfast."


All answers that could be true. But the way he'd made them sound put an edge to them. Right here, Carter's instincts should be kicking in.


She simply nodded, which wasn't as much as a response Donovan was hoping for. But he still had enough things lined up that he hoped would pique her curiosity. After all, he'd spent two months planning this out. He went to take a shower, wondering where Carter's thoughts were taking her as he did.


In their closet, Donovan made a show of deciding on what to wear. Again, another tactic that would set off warning bells in Carter's head. He hardly ever gave more than a passing thought to what he wore on a Saturday. This would stand out, as would his outfit choice. Nicer than needed.


"You look nice," Carter commented when he reentered the room.


One more checkmark made.


He laughed. "Carter, you think anything besides sweats and a t-shirt is nice. But thank you. I'll be back later."


He tucked his wallet into his back pocket but kept his phone in hand. He hadn't left it on the nightstand, taking it into the bathroom with him. Again he hoped this would strike Carter as odd. On the way down to the lobby, he disabled the location on his phone and called Brock.


"Okay," he said. "Phase one is complete. Track her phone and tell me when she leaves the apartment."


"Will do," he said. "Because she might be coming to stab you."


"She won't want to stab me yet, that comes when we're in the cafe."


"You are playing with fire here."


"Yes, but it will be worth it."


"I hope so."


Donovan hung up. He hoped so as well.


When he entered the Thinking Cup, Eva waited for him at the front. She smiled.


"So you said this was a social experiment of sorts," she said.


"Of sorts. Thanks for agreeing to do this. Carter hasn't ever met you or seen you at the FBI and I needed an unknown."


"I have to admit as a psychologist, I'm curious to see how this turns out."


They claimed a table towards the back and one that could be seen from the lounge area. Naturally, Carter would want to surveil them. As they sat, Donovan wondered if Carter would forgo the surveillance and simply demand answers.


After the waiter took their orders, Eva looked at Donovan. "You have to know that your wife is going to assume you're cheating on her, right?"


"She will, for the span of...I want to say a minute."


This made Eva raise her eyebrows. Before Donovan could answer, his phone dinged with a message from Brock.


"Our girl is headed your way."


Donovan sent off a message to Link.


"You're all clear."


He then pocketed his phone.


"You must have a really strong relationship for Carter to ignore clear evidence," Eva said.


"Carter knows without a doubt that there will never be another woman in the world that could hold a candle to her. Her first reaction with be to think the obvious. But once she assesses the situation she'll see my body language and yours." He motioned between them. "Which clearly gives off no sign of desire. After that, her curiosity and training will get the better of her and she will watch and tail us."


The door to the Thinking Cup opened and Donovan didn't glance over, he couldn't. But he wondered if that was Carter coming in. If so, he made sure to sit back, keep his expression even.


"It appears you know your wife very well," Eva said.


Donovan smiled. "I know her better than anyone. And at times she can still be a mystery to me. She will do things that surprise me and for that I find I fall more and more in love with her. She's complex. Tough, commanding yet vulnerable, and warm. There are sides of her she only lets me see and at those times I feel like the luckiest man in the world."


He grinned. "That's why I know she won't believe what the evidence might suggest. Because she knows my heart better than anyone."


"You are very lucky," Eva said. "What you have is beautiful."


"Do you have someone in your life?" he asked.


Eva lifted one shoulder. "Not yet. My mind makes it difficult for most men not to feel intimidated around me. So I focus on my work and know he's out there."


"I hope you find him," Donovan said. "What are you currently working on?"


"The study of combat missions and the effect and changes it has on the brain."


"And that's why you're at the FBI for only a year."


"Correct."


"Tell me about it."


The talk of Eva's work took them through their meal and eventually out onto the sidewalk. Donovan caught a glimpse of Carter through the window on their way out. Eventually, their talk died out.


"And now we just wander?" she asked.


"Yes, at least for another hour. It will give enough time for everything to be in place."


Eva nodded. The day was pleasant and the city hummed with life.


"What are you getting her?" Eva asked.


"I don't know, honestly. Carter is a challenge to buy for. She isn't materialistic. I think this comes from her mother leaving, she learned not to get attached to things. When we moved into our apartment she barely had anything personal to add besides framed photos and clothes. I've given her perfume that she'd liked. A few books but she doesn't have the addiction I have to reading."


"Jewelry?"


"I gave her a diamond necklace a year ago but it was making a statement. She has worn it a good amount though. Do you think she'd like another one?" Donovan laughed. "This is what I meant. In some ways, I know Carter to her core. But here I'm clueless."


"I might not know Carter or be as tough as her, but I think every woman wants to wear something beautiful. It's a sign that the man she loves thinks of her that way."


"Okay then, I'll get her necklace. And it gives us somewhere to go."


They cut through the tide of pedestrians, making for the high-end stores. Inside a jewelry shop, Donovan felt overwhelmed by the choices. Each necklace looked stunning sitting on a bed of velvet. But which one would Carter like?


"She's a non-materialist, strong, but warm at times," Eva said, browsing the displays. "I would go with something understated."


"I don't want to do diamonds again," Donovan said. "Since she already has that."


"What about a more design focused necklace?" Eva asked. "Like this."


She pointed to a necklace that was a delicately woven chain. Donovan asked to see the gold version. When he held it up to Eva, he pictured it against Carter's skin, imagining how it would rest over her collarbones. Eva smiled and nodded.


"I think it's simple but still stunning."


"Like Carter," Donovan said, handing the necklace to the attendant. "I'll take this."


As they returned to the sidewalk, Donovan couldn't help but be aware of Carter a few feet away, using the cover of the crowd to go unseen. He wondered what she was thinking about this point. If she'd been truly enraged, she'd leave all concealment behind and simply approach him. But since she hadn't, he took that to mean she was still unsure about what was happening and wanted to know more. That was a hopeful sign that she wasn't going to hate him forever because of this stunt.


When Donovan's phone dinged, he let out a breath. Finally.


"We're good, you can come home."


"Is that a good thing?" Eva asked.


Donovan smiled. "It is indeed. Come on, my apartment is this way."


When Donovan waved Eva into the apartment, he saw that it was packed with his brothers, Carter's family, Link and Maddy, and Mason. He shut the door behind him.


"Everyone, hide now!" Donovan said. "She's only a second behind us."


Everyone scattered, concealing themselves behind the couch, doors, and the island in the kitchen. Donovan ducked behind the island with Eva and Clint. When the door swung open, everyone popped out and screamed 'Surprise!'.


Carter looked shocked. Everyone rushed over to her, offering her well wishes and smiles of amusement. Donovan grinned as he finally got to stand before her.


"Wow, you managed to surprise me," she said.


Donovan stopped and inspected Carter, assessing her tone.


"How long did you know?!" he asked.


Carter tapped her chin. "Pretty much since your first evasiveness this morning. Then add the over-the-top show of trying to be suspicious without being suspicious it all was pretty obvious."


Donovan slumped. "You're telling me my two-month plan failed after a minute."


"Yeah, pretty much."


Donovan laughed and ran his hands through his hair.


"None of it, you bought none of my act."


Carter draped her arms around his neck. "Nope. Because if you were really cheating on me you'd be more subtle. Nothing you did was subtle. Also, you wouldn't cheat on me." She kissed his nose taking away some of Donovan's disappointment over his failure. "I know you."


Donovan couldn't be annoyed with that.


"Who is the woman, by the way, she looked familiar but I don't know why?"


Donovan searched for Eva and found her in conversation with Clint.


"A psychologist working at the FBI. Also, someone who might have just found her match," Donovan said.


Carter laughed as she looked to the couple, taking in what Donovan did. Both Clint and Eva were leaning towards each other, wearing soft smiles around the corner of their lips, and their attention never straying from the other.


"Where's my necklace?" Carter asked.


Donovan pulled out the box and lifted the lid. Carter touched the gold chain, lifting it from its cushion. Donovan set the box down and held out his hands.


"May I?" he asked.


"I'm wearing a t-shirt," she said.


"And you look beautiful."


Fighting a smile, Carter handed over the necklace and turned her back to him. Donovan clasped the necklace around her neck, briefly brushing his lips against her shoulder. She faced him and wrapped her around his neck, running her fingers through his hair.


"Thank you," she said. "Though next year, don't make me get out of bed that early."


Donovan kissed her. "Understood. Happy birthday, Carter."


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BAM! In yo face!


(What's in your face is currently undetermined...maybe ice cream? That would be a nice surprise. Also who doesn't love ice cream! If you don't, don't tell me, I still want to be able to love you)


This is where you are to dump your thoughts, pots, plants, ants, cakes, and elephants. ๐Ÿ—ฏ๐Ÿ’ฌ๐Ÿ’ญ


(Don't ask me what I mean, like I ever know!)


I had this chapter being different in the beginning. I had Carter following Donovan because he was acting strange. Then when she saw him with the other woman for a fraction of a second she thought he was cheating. But when she said it in her mind, she realized how stupid that sounded.


But as I stepped back from that version I realized I didn't like that. I didn't like for even a second Carter feeling like that. So I changed it and felt a lot better. Also, let's face it Donovan was being SOOOOOO obvious that really how could Carter not see through it!


I hope you liked it!


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