Chapter 31Syllabus Complete – Kerry
Chapter 31
Syllabus Complete – Kerry
Ms.
Kerry Kind,
We are deeply saddened to learn that the Beverly Mills-Greer Board of Education was compromised by both illegal and unethical leadership practices under former Superintendent Cory Martin.
We want to assure all of our teachers, administrators, staff, parents, students, and residents that we are taking swift action to rectify the damage that has been caused to our town.
We understand that many of the city’s beloved teachers were unjustly laid off—collateral damage that allowed a few bad apples to line their pockets with bribes.
Not only have we launched an internal investigation into the qualifications and performance of the teachers that were hired, but if interested, we are reinstating every educator who was let go and giving them a 15% pay increase.
We would be honored to have you back in our school, nurturing and educating young minds.
Please let us know if you’re interested.
We would love to discuss your future in more depth.
Regards,
Interim Superintendent
I read the email over and over again, absorbing every word.
I’m not surprised, especially after the corruption’s been revealed on national television.
Greer is officially on the map!
Every booming city needs a scandal, and Cory del ivered!
Cory Martin’s power is finally gone, stripped away piece by piece until there’s nothing left but the truth.
The truth he spent years trying to bury.
The truth that reveals who he really is – a monster.
Seven counts of aggravated assault.
Attempted murder.
Obstruction.
Bribery.
Harassment.
Needless to say, he waived his right to trial and pleaded guilty.
There were just too many charges to fight, all carrying the weight of years behind bars.
At sentencing, he looked like hell.
Like he’d already been getting a taste of his own medicine—limping, face bruised, lip swollen.
Serves him right.
I still remember the moment I stood in that courtroom.
Every eye was on me as I gave my impact statement.
My palms were sweating, but I didn’t flinch.
I looked that man dead in the eye and said, “You kept me quiet. Trapped in a life that nearly killed me. But you didn’t break me. You couldn’t. I clawed my way out, and now you’ll be rotting in a cage while I’ll be living free.”
He’s gone for a long time.
And for once, justice feels real.
The town’s cleaning house, and his family’s next .
“Is everything okay?” Krista asks, pulling me from my thoughts as we sit in the car.
I blink, rereading the email, then let out a stunned laugh.
“Oh, sorry… I uh…I think I just got my job back.”
Krista’s face lights up, and she hugs me tight.
“That’s amazing! When I first moved here, everyone raved about how incredible a teacher you were. I’m so glad your life is falling back into place. I hope mine does, too.”
“It will.” I gently squeeze her hand.
“You have an entire group of friends and family cheering you on now. You may not get back what you had, but I promise, you’ll get more than what you ever imagined.” I wink.
Together, we walk into my therapist, Dr.
Watkins’, office.
Once inside, I introduce them.
“Krista, when I was at my lowest, after I was arrested and grieving, the hurt just kept coming. I was court-ordered to take anger management or face jail time. I was sent to Dr. Watkins, and after just one session, he told me I wasn’t someone who needed anger management. He said I was just someone who needed to be seen, heard, and believed in. ”
Krista listens intently as I continue.
“Even when I lost my job, my insurance, and my faith in everything, I still had Dr. Watkins. And that made all the difference. He always believed I’d get to this point. He believed I’d soar past this point. Now, I believe it, too. I believe in myself now. So, you’re in good hands.”
Dr.
Watkins smiles warmly, extending a hand toward Krista.
“It’s nice to meet you, Krista. Are you ready to find your smile again?”
Her nerves visibly begin to ease.
She exhales with a nod, and in that moment, I recognize the expression on her face—a cautious hope and the willingness to believe life will get better, which is why I know she’s going to be okay.
~~~
After picking up my grand opening dress and running a few more errands, I finally arrive home.
Home.
That’s right.
Vic got his way, and I’ve officially moved in seven days a week, and yes, I reluctantly agreed to move into his bedroom.
The man wasn’t lying when he said he needed to be inside me every day, but I also had no idea I needed him at least twice a day.
When I walk through the front door, I’m immediately greeted by an enthusiastic “Congratulations!” from Vic, Ari, and Syd, the latter holding out a perfectly decorated cupcake.
I blink, caught off guard.
“Aww, y’all are so sweet! But what exactly are we congratulating?”
They exchange mischievous looks, and Vic smirks as he takes the shopping bags from my arms.
“Your job, Kerry.”
Oh, right.
The email.
I let out a small laugh as we move toward the living room.
“I didn’t even reply yet,” I admit, sinking onto the couch.
“I don’t even know if I want to go back to the classroom.”
I say it casually, like it’s not a huge deal, but Vic arches an eyebrow, and the girls sit up straighter like I just told them Christmas was canceled.
“And why wouldn’t you want to go back to teaching at the school?” Vic presses.
I try to play it cool, but they’re all looking at me like they already know the answer .
Syd, not even attempting to hide her smirk, tilts her head.
“Do you want to stay here with us as our homeschool teacher?”
I open my mouth but quickly close it.
My silence is enough of an answer.
Then, suddenly, both girls whip their heads toward their father.
“Dad, pay up!” Ari announces triumphantly.
Vic exhales dramatically, digging into his pocket like they just bankrupted him.
“Unbelievable. My own daughters. Swindling their old man.”
He hands them each five bucks, and they erupt in giggles, high-fiving like seasoned gamblers.
“Wait a minute! Y’all were betting on me?”
“Duh! We knew you wouldn’t want to leave us.” Ari grins.
Syd nods, stuffing her winnings in her pocket.
“Yep. You love us too much.”
I shake my head, pretending to be offended.
“While this is very true, why does everyone think they know me so well?”
Vic reaches for me, gently pulling me toward him on the sofa, and before I can process it, his lips brush against mine—soft, sure, and full of something that makes my heart melt.
He pulls back just enough to whisper, “Because we do know you, Kerry. And we love you like crazy.”
Warmth floods through me, spreading from my chest to every part of me.
I plaster a big, bright, and very genuine smile.
“Yes,” I finally admit.
“It’s true. I want the best of both worlds. I love teaching, but I also love being with the girls every day.”
The moment I say it, Ari and Syd tackle me in a hug, their little arms wrapping tightly around me.
“We love you, too.” Ari says, her voice filled with pure emotion.
“The most in the world!” Syd adds.
Tears sting my eyes as I hold them close.
“I love you girls more than you’ll ever know.”
Vic watches us with a soft expression, then he cups my face gently, his thumb stroking my cheek.
“Kerry, you can have any and everything you want. You don’t have to choose.”
I search his eyes, feeling overwhelmed in the best way possible.
“What do you mean? ”
Vic slightly leans back, shifting his gaze to the girls before returning to me.
“Well, this has been quite a year, an amazing one,” He starts.
“More than I ever could’ve imagined. I never thought I’d meet you.” His eyes soften.
“I never thought I’d have a superstar soccer player for a daughter in Ari or a future dance star in Syd. I certainly didn’t predict they’d make so many friends.”
“ Best friends!” Syd eagerly interrupts.
Vic chuckles.
“Right. I wouldn’t have thought any of us would be this happy again. And it’s all because of you.”
My lips part, but he keeps going.
“I’d selfishly love for you to keep homeschooling the girls,” he admits.
“But I know you miss your old school, and they definitely miss you.”
I tilt my head, curious.
“So… what are you saying?”
He smirks.
“What if… the girls enrolled in school, too? That way, all three of you could still see each other throughout the day, every day.”
The room goes completely still for a second before the girls gasp in unison.
Ari nearly jumps off the couch.
“I get to see my best friends every day? OMG! Thank you, Dad!”
Syd is practically bouncing in place.
“I can’t wait to get in trouble.”
We all burst into laughter.
Then, Vic turns back to me.
“What do you think, babe? I want you to do what you love, and not just for the girls, but for all the kids in town.” He pauses, his eyes locked onto mine.
“But only if it’s what you want.”
I don’t hesitate.
I reach for him and press a soft, lingering kiss to his lips.
“I think… it’s a perfect idea.” I say, my voice full of certainty.
Syd and Ari practically explode with excitement.
“We have the best family ever!” Syd declares, throwing her arms around both Ari and me.
And I know, deep in my soul, that she’s absolutely right.
~~~
Steam curls from the shower as I step out and wrap myself in my plush robe while toweling off my damp curls, humming to myself, but my tune falters when I step into the bedroom and see Vic, my normally unshakable, take-no-prisoners, silver-tongued Chef, pacing back and forth with a stack of papers in hand .
His brows are drawn, and his jaw is tight.
He’s so lost in his thoughts that he doesn’t even hear me approach.
“Victor Grey Beard Grimes!” I call out with my hands on my hips.
His head snaps up, and his eyes flicker from the documents to me like he’s been caught red-handed.
“If you don’t stop worrying and start getting dressed, we’re gonna have a problem,” I warn, stepping closer.
Vic groans and tries to sit and relax to no avail.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he confesses, “Tonight isn’t just about the restaurant, Kerry. It’s about everything. The business. Our family. You and me. The life we’re building starts now.”
I hear his unspoken fears creeping in despite all the work he’s done to get to this point.
I climb onto the bed behind him, then slide my hands over his broad shoulders and knead the tension from his muscles.
“Vic,” I look into his eyes, my voice steady and sure.
“Tonight will be perfect, and everyone will be so proud. It’s the beginning of everything you ever wanted.”
His shoulders drop, and his body gives in to my touch, but before I can finish another slow stroke down his back, his hand shoots up, grabbing my wrist mid-massage.
I barely have time to react before he pulls me forward, guiding me onto his lap, his hands anchoring me in place as his eyes hold mine.
His face is pure sincerity—raw, open, vulnerable.
“ This is everything I want, Kerry.” His voice is deep and unshaken.
“The beauty you are. The joy you bring. The love that’s been reawakened in me.” He tightens his grip around my waist, like letting go isn’t an option.
“I want tonight to be the beginning of our lives together.”
His lips crash into mine.
Our kiss is deep and urgent as his tongue sweeps into my mouth, tasting and claiming me.
A slow, desperate hunger builds between us, and I sigh against him, my hands sliding into his waves, tugging and needing more.
“Promise me this is only the beginning,” Vic says, his forehead pressed to mine.
“It is, Vic,” I whisper.
“I promise.”
Vic groans against my lips, then slips one hand into my robe, trailing his fingers over my thigh before cupping my breast, his thumb brushing over my nipple, teasing me into a quiet moan.
His other hand grips the small of my back, pulling me tighter against him until all I can feel is heat and hard muscle beneath me .
“Good. Now, take your robe off,” he rasps huskily, lips trailing down my neck, his tongue flicking over my nipple before he gently bites down, making me gasp for more.
“And sit on my face.”
I don’t argue.
I don’t hesitate.
I let myself get lost in him, in us, and the many pleasures to follow.
~~~
The energy in the restaurant is electric.
Photographers flash their cameras, a sea of people waiting for the moment they can step into Roots—the place Vic built with his heart, his hands, and his history.
And, of course, we’re perfectly coordinated in pink.
Vic, forever outnumbered in our house, playfully scowls as he buttons his deep rose-colored jacket.
“So, this is my fate, huh? Drowning in pink for the rest of my life?”
“We like you better this way, Daddy.” Syd, twirling in her sparkly blush dress, grins up at him.
Ari smirks.
“Yeah, it makes you look less scary.”
I laugh, slipping my hand into his.
“You should thank us. You’ve never looked better.”
The cameras flash as we pose together, but then, the real magic begins.
A drumroll hums through the speakers as a massive cover drops from over the restaurant’s sign, revealing Roots in beautifully carved script painted in vibrant Caribbean hues.
Below, in elegant gold print, is a dedication:
“An Ode to the Grimes Beginnings and to the Love That Nourishes Us.”
And just beside it, another plaque stands in quiet reverence, one that means everything.
“From the humble vision of Anne and Joseph Grimes, who built their first restaurant with love, and to Jeremiah Grimes, a great man taken too soon, whose passion transformed his parents’ dream into an empire, this is our tribute. Your spirit lives in every dish, in every lesson passed down, and in every moment shared around these tables. This isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a love letter to the past, a celebration of the present, and a promise to the future. This is family. This is home. This is our legacy continued.”
Vic is still as he watches his mother, standing beside Hudson, clutching her heart and blinking away tears.
The crowd gushes in admiration, and I squeeze his hand .
“See, baby,” I whisper, watching his throat bob as he swallows hard.
“It’s perfect.”
Once everyone is seated, it’s time for the most important part—the tasting.
Vic stands at the head of the room, his eyes sweeping over the crowd.
“Tonight isn’t just about food,” he begins.
“It’s about home. It’s about the roots that ground us, the flavors that tell our stories. Each dish you taste tonight is inspired by my grandparents’ old recipes, reimagined through my own vision. It’s an honor to share them with you.”
The first dish lands in front of us, and I barely have time to lift my fork before I hear the first quiet gasp, the kind that happens when something tastes too damn good to hide the reaction.
All around me, eyes widen, heads tilt back slightly, and the room settles into that hushed stillness that only great food can command.
The slow-braised smoked oxtail over creamy buttermilk grits is the first to disappear into everyone’s stomachs.
Vic watches with barely concealed nerves, just waiting for a reaction, and my mom doesn’t make him wait long.
“Lord have mercy.” She moans dramatically, shaking her head.
Ari grins, shoveling another bite into her mouth.
“That means it’s good, Daddy.”
Laughter ripples through the table, but no one stops eating.
The plates keep coming, and soon, the table is filled with a rotation of flavors—everything from land to sea and heat to sweet.
The fried snapper is next, crispy and golden, coated in a scotch bonnet-infused honey glaze that makes lips tingle and eyes water, but no one stops eating long enough to complain.
The mango slaw underneath cools it down just enough, providing a bright and fresh contrast against the slow-building heat.
Across the table, one of the toughest food critics in the country, a man who has single-handedly shut down restaurants with his reviews, sets his fork down, exhales, and looks at Vic like he’s witnessing something divine.
“Jesus,” he utters.
“This isn’t just food. This is… an experience.”
Vic doesn’t react, at least not in the way people probably expect.
He keeps his face neutral, nods once, but I know him well enough to see it—the shift in his eyes, the way relief and pride battle it out beneath the surface .
The tasting continues, one dish after the next, each plate bringing new whispers of appreciation.
The callaloo and smoked turkey soup even steals the show with its slow-simmered greens cooked until they’ve absorbed every ounce of the smoked turkey’s essence.
My dad nearly picks up the bowl and drinks it up.
“Alright, time for my nap.” He says, rubbing his stomach.
Then there’s the Trinidadian with a Southern twist macaroni pie, decadent and gooey, baked just long enough to form a golden, slightly crisp crust on top.
The playful addition of crawfish adds the right amount of sweetness to balance the creamy, spiced cheese sauce, making every forkful a battle between comfort and indulgence.
The final dish to hit the table is the spiced pineapple cobbler, its buttery, cinnamon-laced crust flaking apart at the slightest touch.
The caramelized pineapple underneath is sticky and sweet, the kind of sweetness that isn’t cloying but deep, rich, layered.
A scoop of ginger-rum ice cream sits on top, melting at the edges, soaking into the dessert like it was always meant to be there.
The City Manager, Jeff, takes a huge bite.
“Umm, umm, umm. Kendra, make sure we book far in advance. I want business meetings, the next office party, and every other gathering to be here. This was magnificent.”
After the plates are cleared from the table, the restaurant erupts in applause, and I watch the last of Vic’s nerves melt away.
The dinner guests settle into the soft ambiance of smooth jazz and easy conversation.
Vic and I move through the crowd together, mixing and mingling, but I never stray too far.
Even when I step away to give him his moment, he refuses to let me drift too far, for too long.
Whenever there’s the slightest distance between us, he finds me, leans in close, and whispers in my ear.
“I’ve told you this before, but I want you to hear it again. You’re a part of my success. You’re my calm, my anchor, my blessing. Everything I’ve done this year means nothing without you.”
My heart stumbles, and my grip tightens on his hand.
God, I love this man.
While Vic hypes me up to his colleagues, Vicky makes her way over, her eyes full of something I can’t quite place.
Before I can speak, she pulls me into a hug and holds me as close as she can .
“Thank you,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.
“For everything you’ve done for my son and my granddaughters. For bringing this family back to life. I always knew you would be the one to do it.”
“Y’all sure do give me a lot of credit,” I say, letting out a soft laugh.
“But you were the one who gave me a chance. I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for you. You’re the real backbone of this family, Vicky.”
This time, I pull her in close and absorb all she continues to offer.
This woman is a blessing.
The strength in her stance, the kindness in her eyes, the way she carries so much love despite all the pain she’s endured, I’m in awe of her resilience, her grace.
She cups my cheek, her touch warm.
“I love you, sweetheart.”
My throat tightens.
“I love you too.”
The moment lingers between us, heavy with meaning, but we’re interrupted when Vic clears his throat and pulls the room’s attention to him.
“I have a special announcement to make.” He says.
Conversations drop to a murmur as people turn toward him.
He lets the silence stretch for a moment before speaking.
“Six years ago, I started a journey I never expected to be on, a journey through grief, through rebuilding, through figuring out who the hell I was supposed to be after losing the life I once knew.” His voice slightly dips, the weight of those years still present but no longer defining him.
“But this last year… this last year has felt different. Like I’m closer to where I’m meant to be than ever before. “He exhales, shaking his head with a smirk.
“With that being said… I’m taking a vacation.”
Playful eye rolls and laughter erupt, but Vic just lifts a hand.
“I’m serious. Two months. Me, my incredible woman, and my daughters, which means lots of pink for me…but the company will still need a CEO to hold down the fort.”
A ripple of whispers spread through the room as Vic smirks and turns his attention straight to Hudson, who’s standing next to Serena with his arm draped around her waist.
I glance at Serena, who winks at me.
Of course, I couldn’t keep the secret from her.
Hudson looks at the three of us.
“Wait, what?” Then his eyes narrow.
“What’re you doin’, man?” Vic shakes his head, walking forward to embrace his Hudson.
“I’m doing what Dad would have wanted. What he built wasn’t just for me—it was for us. And now, it’s time to put it back in the hands of the man who really deserves it. ” He lets the words settle before adding, “You were Dad’s protégé. You’re the business-savvy genius like him, while I inherited the Grimes cooking gene, so I’d prefer to stay in the kitchen and take lots of breaks with my family over the next few years. Is that okay with you, Mr. CEO?”
Hudson stutters.
His eyes shine with something raw, something that has nothing to do with business and everything to do with their father.
Vicky steps forward and pulls both her sons into her arms.
Watching them, my chest swells because this was never their plan in life, but it’s exactly how things are supposed to be.
This past year has been a wild ride, but somehow, we’ve landed exactly where we’re meant to be.
And then, Vic clears his throat again.
“Okay… I have one more announcement.”
I straighten.
This wasn’t part of the plan.
Ari and Syd move to stand beside him, and suddenly, the entire room shifts.
There’s a murmur of excitement as my family and friends subtly inch closer to me, like we’re all about to take a group photo.
I narrow my eyes at Vic.
“What are you up to?”
He grins.
“May my beautiful girlfriend please step a little closer?”
A hush falls over the room.
My heart pounds.
I step forward, my pulse in my ears, my body suddenly weightless as the noise around me fades.
The anticipation is thick, pressing in on all sides, but my focus narrows to the man in front of me.
The man who has carried me through this past year with steady hands and an unwavering heart.
The man who loves me in ways I never imagined possible.
Vic exhales, his expression soft but intent with his voice dipping lower, meant only for me even though the whole room hangs onto his every word.
“A year ago today, I met this woman right here at a floral shop opening. And if I’m being honest, it was lust at first sight.”
Laughter breaks out, but I playfully cover my embarrassed face.
“Vic!”
He grins but doesn’t waver.
“I mean it. I saw you looking through a window in that pink dress, and my mind just went black. Then, you opened your mouth and threw me completely off my game. I was intrigued. And annoyed. But then,” he continues, his tone shifting.
“I got to know you. And I was captivated. I was drawn in by your light, the way you love people, and the way you move through life with such strength and determination. I never thought I’d experience love again. I didn’t think I deserved it, but Kerry Kind, you’re every dream I never thought I wa s allowed to have. I don’t want to go on another vacation with my girlfriend,” he says before reaching into his pocket and lowering himself onto one knee.
“I want to go on vacation with my fiancée.” His voice is steady, unshaken, filled with a certainty that leaves me breathless.
“And I want to spend the rest of my life with you as my wife.”
A sharp gasp echoes through the room, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.
My whole world tilts until it narrows down to him—this man on one knee, looking up at me like I hold the universe in my hands.
My head is nodding, my tears are falling, and my heart is already his.
“Yes.” My answer’s shaky, nearly swallowed by my emotions, so I say it again, louder, with all the conviction in the world.
“Yes, yes, yes, a million times, yes.”
The room explodes in cheers, but all I feel is him.
He slips the ring onto my shaking fingers, his arms wrapping around me as he stands, pulls me in, and holds me like he never plans to let go.
I clutch at him, burying my face in his shoulder, the warmth of his body, the way he whispers against my hair, “I love you with everything in me, Kerry Kind.”
And I love him back, with everything I have, with everything I am.
I love him, and I love the beautiful family he’s given me in Ari and Syd, the way they’ve wrapped themselves around my heart, making me theirs just as much as I’ve made them mine.
I love the safety he offers, not just in the way he holds me, but in the way he sees me, in the way he chooses me every single day.
I love his unwavering loyalty, his steady protection, the quiet moments of peace that come with knowing I’ll never have to walk through this life alone again.
But what I love most is who I’ve become in all of this.
The woman I’ve grown into, the strength I’ve found in myself, the way I now stand a little taller—not just because I am loved, but because I have learned to love myself just as fiercely.
And I love this life— our life.
A life that’s been messy and unexpected but so full, so good, so worth every twist and turn that led us here.
We’ve learned each other—stumbled, laughed, fought, and fallen.
And through it all, we found something rare.
Something limitless.
Something that doesn’t just survive life’s storms but thrives in them.
We never really needed that love syllabus because, from the very beginning, what we had was real.
Magnetic.
Right.
Meant to be .
But it did help because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that love, real love, is something you never stop learning.
You study it, nurture it, fight for it, and choose it over and over again.
For me, I choose Victor Grimes just as he chooses me.
And that’s the kind of lesson worth carrying with me for the rest of my life.