Page 31 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

“Your daughter is the strongest person I’ve ever met. She’s brilliant, funny as heck. She’s soft and kind but don’t take shit from anybody. She’s…” Archer felt himself get emotional. He swallowed down the lump that formed in the center of his throat then continued.

“She changed my life, sir. I came here to help her grab a few things, to get her settled for the weekend at my house. She’s had a long week and I just want her to prop her legs up and rest for the weekend. Since the both of you are here, I wanted to properly introduce myself and tell you guys that I have her best interest at heart. I’m in love with her. I respect your daughter, and don’t want to do anything to hurt her.” Archer finished his statement by taking in a big deep breath then releasing it.

Henry’s jaw moved; his eyes darted to Destiny. Her eyes were glued to Archer’s back with love and admiration. Silence filled the room, the weight of unspoken fears and hopes hanging between Destiny’s parents and Archer.

“You have no idea how long I’ve prayed for my baby girl to have someone who would see the real beauty inside of her.” Kourtney whispered out through her tears.

Henry swallowed hard; his eyes glistened as he blinked them quickly. He looked at Destiny, who smiled softly back at him then back at Archer.

“Long as you’re good to her, that’s all I care about. You and I need to have dinner together as well. I want to get to know you.” Henry stated.

He wanted to drill Archer with question after question but could tell that Destiny needed time to relax. He was proud of his daughter; she was doing good in school but this whole boyfriend thing was new to him. He didn’t really know how to let his baby girl go.

“We can set a date; I think you will love my cigar lounge.” Archer smiled.

Destiny felt the tension leave her chest. She was happy that Archer took control over the situation. She also knew that later, she would have to tell her parents that she lost her virginity, but for now this was a very good start.

Epilogue

Destiny closed her eyes and let the breeze sweep over her. She couldn’t believe that she was in California on vacation with her man. Visiting Cali was something she had dreamed of since she was young. She scrolled through her phone and saved photos to her highlight on Instagram of the sunset on Venice Beach.

Archer sat quietly beside her, his hand rested protectively on the back of her wheelchair as their bodies moved along the weathered wood planks of the pier that led to an open-air restaurant. The ocean stretched endlessly beside them. She looked up at Archer and noted the subtle tension in his jaw. His pale blue eyes flickered with something deep and restless.

Although he appeared relaxed and calm, Destiny knew that Tasha Reed was still on his mind. Hours earlier, they visited his mother’s grave at a small tucked away cemetery on a green hillside that overlooked the mountains. Archer kneeled before her headstone and poured out years of pain to her.

Destiny consoled him, warmed his soul and made him feel whole. Archer was learning to release and not hold back like Destiny had told him. That alone made him feel better.

Now, as they sat at the beachside restaurant under the shade of white umbrellas, Destiny’s heart was full and light in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. She had finished her first semester at Blake University strong, despite the pain in her joints. All the late nights of studying till her eyes burned had paid off. She was proud of herself, and so were her professors and her parents. Archer told her almost every day how proud he was of her as well.

Not only was Archer proud, but he was also grateful for Destiny’s family. Henry, her father, talked with Archer a lot. Archer confided in him and Henry openly welcomed him as family.

Archer’s hand slipped into hers, rough and warm as he looked down at her with an emotionless stare.

“You okay?” she asked softly, studying his handsome face.

“Yeah, I feel better now. I’m kind of excited to meet my aunt, from the pictures she sent me of her and my mom, they look just alike.” He smiled.

They were waiting for his aunt, she was coming to meet them for lunch. Destiny could tell it was tearing Archer up inside, the way he kept glancing toward the entrance. His foot tapped beneath the table impatiently, and his thumb kept running rapid circles over her hand. Archer’s anxiety was through the roof and he didn’t know how to calm himself.

Minutes later, a tall dark skin woman wearing large bamboo hoop earrings and a white sundress that swayed in the breeze stepped through the entrance. Her hair was in thick black curls that framed her diamond-shaped face. She walked in with a careful, nervous grace, holding her breath as she spotted Archer.

Archer stood up so quickly, the chair almost tipped over. They stared at each other. Destiny watched as something passed between them. Recognition, grief, and love that had been denied for too long.

“Archer.” His aunt whispered as she stepped close.

“Auntie.” Archer choked out.

They both moved at the same time, closing the space between them as Archer wrapped his arms around her. He buried his face in her shoulder as she rocked him from side to side, she cradled the back of his head like a mother would. They both cried together as Destiny’s eyes blurred from watching them. She smiled through her own tears because in that moment, Archer wasn’t just a man with heavy secrets or a boy who had been stolen from his mother.

He had a piece of her right in front of him and felt complete. Archer turned toward Destiny and without being told, she rolled forward and joined them, already knowing that this was only the beginning. They were writing a new story now, together.

For so long, Destiny had believed her destiny was meant to be lonely. That the weight of her reality, her wheelchair, and the days when her legs refused to cooperate, the nights when her pain meds barely dulled the sharp ache in her joints, would keep love at arm’s length from her.

She had accepted the idea that the world might not see her as a woman worthy of being chosen, of being loved and held fully by a man that accepted her for her. Archer had shattered that lie with every moment he stood beside her. With every way he looked at her, touched her, and loved her.

Now, she felt hope, it all made her want to cry, laugh, and smile at the same time. Because her life wasn’t just with her parents anymore. Her life was now hers, and she was excited to build it piece by piece, moment by moment, with a man who had become her safe place.

She was going back to Blake University after break, ready to keep going, keep fighting for her future. She was going to go back pushing her wheelchair across campus with her head held high. Destiny now knew that love was real, and that she was loved.

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