Page 171 of Falling Into Gravity

He bowed his head once, then stepped down from the stage. He jogged down the stairs, through the crowd, past the faculty who tried to shake his hand—but he was on a mission. He spotted them before they saw him.

Aku was standing by the side door, Mars on one hip, Venus on the other. She was still fine…still glowing…still everything. Her body had changed, but her power hadn’t. Her hair was pinned up, gold hoops dangling from her ears, and she wore asleeveless white suit that screamedBlack motherhood with edge and grace.

Mars reached out first. “Dada!”

Malik scooped him up even. “Y’all see this?” he whispered. “This the real degree.”

Aku leaned into his side and he kissed her temple.

“You proud of me?” he asked softly.

She smiled. “Always, Black man.”

They stood there—family in the middle of legacy. No cameras. No applause.

Just love.

Just gravity.

And they had finally fallen into it for good.

The End

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