Chapter 38: It's Been A Long Time

·Grace's POV·

To say that I'm over the moon right now is an understatement. Archer was so sure he would become an angel after he was given the option, but something changed deep inside of him. Yesterday, he told me about what made him make up his mind: His family. There was a missing piece left to complete the puzzle of that perfect family. Said piece is Archer.

He also mentioned that he would never leave me behind, that we need each other to carry on. It's sweet how thoughtful he can be, even when he's trying to sugarcoat the truth. Archer wasn't entirely thinking about me while making that decision, and I understand that. Don't get me wrong, I know I mean the world to him, as well as he means it to me. It's just that he missses his old life too, being around those who haven't seen him in forty years.

And that's why he has been so excited during the whole day, because we are finally going to pay them a visit.

Right now we are on our way to Archer's old house and the closer we get, the more nervous he gets. Touching his knee with my free hand while driving, I reassured him:

"Archer, honey, calm down. It's going to be okay."

"I know, I know. But it's been way too long. What if they don't-"

"If you dare to ask me whether they will want you back or not, I WILL stop the car and make you walk the rest of the way. Got it?"

He just nodded, scared of the possibility.

"Perfect. Anyway, I'll need to get heading home before noon. Will you be okay staying at your parents'?"

"I guess so... I'd love if you stayed too. Don't want you to get in trouble though."

"Relax. I talked to Toli after you showed up at the graveyard, before we went to St. George to spend the night, remember? So I pleaded her to cover up for me. I was supposedly staying at her house for a sleepover." I told him. It's still eleven a.m. My excuse is credible enough, isn't it?

"Smooth, babe, smooth."

Hearing the word 'babe' come out of his mouth got me all flustered. It also reminds me of something.

This is happening, Archer is alive. We are finally free to love each other unconditionally, without sneaking around. Last night's events speak for themselves...

*Flashback*

"I still can't believe you are alive again." I said between passionate kisses as Archer tried to lock the door of his old room right back at the correctional (uselessly, because his free hand was way too occupied holding me closer than we've ever got before).

"Let me prove it to you then..." He replied, his eyes dilated and filled with wild lust. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes met his.

"I... I haven't..." All I could do was stutter. As much as I wanted to take our relationship to the next level, I was a bit scared, for this would be my first time.

"Grace, I won't force you to do anything you don't feel one hundred percent sure of doing. This can wait as much time as you need. It's just that I want to prove how much I love you, not only with words. I won't deny the fact that I feel extremely relieved to be your first: your first kiss, your first love, your first real boyfriend, and your first time – this last one doesn't have to happen today, all I bear in mind is your happiness and trust. However, I'm warning you: I'm your first, but I'll gladly be your last-that's it if you take me, of course. I love you, Grace. I would do anything for you, and if by that I have to wait to completely give myself to you, so be it." Archer reassured me with his little speech about how he wants us to happen, but under my conditions and timing. I swear to God he can't be any more perfect. That's why I took the nape of his neck and brought his lips to mine in a swift movement, gainning a satisfied groan from him.

"I don't wanna hold back anymore. I need you, now and forever."

"Good Lord, Grace." My boyfriend breathlessly replied to my confession. He then kissed his way down my neck until he reached my cleavage, taking my shirt off and discarding it on the floor afterwards. What can I say? I did the exact same with his, exploring his toned body with my hands, memorizing every detail, until I touched what seemed to be a really big scar across his back, making him hiss and back away. Before he put even more distance between us, I caught his wrist and said:

"Hey, it's just a scar. It is a reminder of what you had to go through, the pain you had to bear before and after you died. It is not a sign of weakness by any means. On the contrary, it just makes me love you even more, if that's even possible. You are the bravest person I know, don't ever doubt that, please." He still seemed insecure, so I made him lay on the bed and turn around so I could kiss his back, lingering on his scar. Before I knew it, I was trapped under Archer, who kissed me fervently.

"How come you always know what to say and do in order to make me feel better?" He asked me while he played with the necklace he gave me on my birthday and looking at me lovingly.

I just shrugged and pulled him back to me, tired of all the speaking.

Every piece of clothing was soon removed from our bodies, leaving us out of breath.

Leaving us skin to skin.

Heart to heart.

The Universe is now on my side, after all it has made me go through.

"Here we are." Archer shook me out of my daze, signaling an empty spot in front of his house for me to pull over.

When we reached the door a few minutes later, I took his hand in mine and squeezed it.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

We knocked on the door simultaneously and waited. Loud footsteps were heard behind the door.

"How can I help-" Bea, Archer's mother, said when she opened the main door.

"It's a pleasure to see you again Bea." I started the conversation.

"Gr-Grace! What a lovely surprise! Wh-Who is this?"

And so here we go.

"Mum, it's me, Archer."

"My son died forty years ago. If you are trying to play a sick joke on us, I swear-"

"Bea, please, we can explain. So can Noah."

"What about him?"

"He knows we will be telling you the complete truth because he is part of the story."

In shock, she shouted Noah's name and in a few seconds he was downstairs.

The look on his face was priceless.

"What's wrong mom? I was video chatting with the childr-Archer?!" He saw his older brother.

"Noah!"

The tears threatened to leave my eyes once again while watching them run and give each other a strong hug. Both of them were crying by now, as well as Bea.

"But how can that be?" She asked me hysterically.

So we sat down on the sofa and began to explain. We told her everything, from how we met to when I came here some months ago pretending to be part of the school's newspaper. We tried to summarize the incident with the darkness as much as we could. Wouldn't want her to have a heart attack right here, right now.

"So it's true..." She finally talked, approaching Archer and touching his face lovingly.

"It is mum. I missed you so much." He took her mother's hand and pulled her into a hug.

Next, we heard a loud door bang coming from the entrance.

"Bea! They've called me saying that Archer's body isn't there anymore! What should we do-"

He saw Archer in front of him and paralyzed.

"Hello dad."

"WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY SON?!" William yelled at my boyfriend. At the same time, Noah was holding him back and Bea tried to calm him down.

"Will, just hear Noah and Archer out. I promise you will understand."

"You two and me. The kitchen. Now." He then ordered, giving in.

As good sons, they obeyed.

Few silent seconds passed until Bea looked at my neck and asked me:

"Where would you get that necklace from, sweetie?"

"Archer gave it to me as a birthday present some days ago. He told me you gave it to him back in the day and I replied that I couldn't accept it, but he wouldn't back down. I'm sorry, I'll take it off and return it to you."

"Nonsense, I was just curious. What would he say when he gave it to you?"

"He said that it's meaningful and it belongs around my neck. I quite don't get what that means, to be honest..."

I swear her eyes started sparkling at that moment.

"Sweet Lord!" She exclaimed, putting her hands on top of her mouth, gobsmacked. "That necklace is a family heritage Grace. You want to know its meaning?"

"Of course, madame! Please." I begged.

"It is believed to be our true love symbol. The girl who is given that piece of jewelry is meant to be the heir's perfect match, or how you youngsters call it, 'the one'."

Now, it was my turn to be in shock. Archer thinks I'm it for him? Just thinking about it makes me smile like never before.

"I can't believe my baby boy found his soulmate! I'm so glad it's a sweet and strong girl like you Grace. You've brought light to this family. We can't thank you enough."

"I swear on my life that I will take good care of your son Bea and I'm so happy we found the one another. This is a new beginning for both of us."

"It sure is darling, it sure is."

We turned our heads and the scene behind us was breathtaking. All three boys were crying like children and hugging.

Archer looked from where he was standing and winked at me.

Yeap, the Universe sure is on my side after all.

*****

A.N: So this chapter is dedicated to my two best friends, A and L. It's their birthday today, so what better present than to dedicate them a chapter of my novel, which they love and support. Hope you liked it girlies.

Love,

M³