-The next day, 12:45pm
Mariah

"Where is my other hairpin?" I searched my bag

Kendra sighed "Mariah that's the third hairpin you've changed." She had just finished breast feeding Hunter

"I know but I don't like it."

"What about this?" She held up another one

"Mmm..." I contemplated "No."

She groaned, adjusting her bra "I'm gonna' go give Hunter to my mama, have yo' mind made up by the time I get back."

"But-"

"Unh-Unh. You clearly got wedding day jitters and need a minute to calm yourself because you been running me wild all morning." She stood up

"I apologize." I sighed

"Don't be sorry ho, be careful." She joked "No seriously just take a breather. Say a prayer, smoke a blunt, do whatever you need to do to relax your nerves. I'll be right back."

I exhaled "Ok."

Once she left out I grabbed my phone to text Dorian.

"Comin' in." Smitty knocked before peeking in

"Oh. Hey Smitty." I smiled, sitting my phone down

"I just came to wish you all the best and give you this gift from Gloria. She at home wit' the flu." He handed me a gift bag

"Aw I hope she gets better." I said as took the gift

I pulled out a box opened it. It was a diamond necklace with earrings to match.

"This is so beautiful. Tell her thank you."

"No problem." He stood there smiling

Typical conversations with Smitty are short and simple, but for some reason he was just lingering around. It felt weird.

"So, have you been to see Dorian?" I made more small talk

"Not yet." He simply responded, leaning against the wall

"Oh. I'm sure he'd love to see you." I gave him a hint to leave

"Yeah..." he didn't catch the hint and I began feeling uneasy

"Alright, Rio had another hairpin for you." Kendra came back in the room "Oh hey Smitty."

"Hey." He greeted "I'll leave you two ladies to finish getting ready." He said before leaving out

"Girl what was Smitty doing in here?" She asked after we were alone

"Gave me a gift from Gloria." I showed her the jewelry "And acting hella' weird."

"Need me to get security to escort his ass out?" She asked

"Nah, it was probably nothing." I fanned the situation off "I might wear these down the aisle." I looked at the earrings

"Speaking of, have you gotten over them cold feet?" She put the hairpin in my hair

"Yes." I took one final glance at myself

"You make a beautiful bride." I heard her sniffle

"Thank you Ken." I smiled at her through the mirror "You gone make me cry."

"No ma'am you will not mess up this makeup." She fanned my face so the tears wouldn't fall

I chuckled as I stood up.

"Ok, everybody's already in position. You ready?"

"I'm ready." I nodded

She helped pull my veil over my head "Bye Mariah Thompson"

She said in a sweet tone. Next time we talk, I'll be Mariah Jonesss. I'm so proud to say that

*

"To Mr and Mrs. Jones." Rio finished up his best man speech

"Thanks bro." Dorian raised his glass in appreciation

"Yeah that was beautiful Rio." I smiled

He and Kendra both had amazing speeches. I love our tribe. They always show up and show out.

"Now it's time for the bride and groom's first dance." The dj announced

Dorian held my hand as we headed to the center of the dance floor. Love Don't Change by Musiq Soulchild began playing and he placed his hand on the small of my back, leading the dance.

"I see you've been practicing." I whispered

"I wanted everything to be perfect." He repeated what I told him in the text

"You're perfect for me." I gazed into his eyes

"Girl you betta' stop looking at me like that 'for  you start some'." He smirked

I couldn't help but blush "I think people will notice if we go missing from our own wedding."

"Psh. Fuck 'dem folk." He said nonchalantly

I chuckled "Let's save it for our honeymoon. Ok?"

"I got you." He held my body closer

More couples joined us on the dance floor just as the song was about midway through. But to me it felt like Dorian and I were the only ones in the room.
That's what real love feels like and I'm so glad I get to experience it with him.

"Alright let's switch the mood up a little." The dj said before turning to a more upbeat song

"Hey lil mama." I held my hand out as Skylar ran towards us.

Dorian held her other hand and the three of us danced together. Luckily I got a camera crew to film everything because I want to remember this day for the rest of my life. Next to birthing Skylar, this is another great moment in my life.

*

"You been dancing all night." Kendra chuckled

"I knowww. I'm just so happy." I smiled

"Better save some energy for the honeymoon." Rio danced beside me, holding Skylar who was fast asleep

"Oh baby that energy is locked and loaded." I stuck my tongue out while twirling my hips

"Ahhh period." Kendra gave me a friendly pat on the ass

"You betta' show out for yo' man." Rio said

"Speaking of, where's my husband?" I looked around for Dorian

"Look at you. Meech, where's my husband?" He joked, mocking Yung Miami's infamous line from BMF

I stopped dancing and lightly chuckled "No but seriously. Where is he?" My eyes skimmed the crowd

"Didn't he go to the bathroom?" Kendra asked

"That was a while ago." I anxiously nibbled on my bottom lip

"Maybe he wasn't feeling good." Rio shrugged

"Yeah. Can you watch her?" I asked Rio, referring to Skylar

"Of course." He nodded assuringly

I walked through the venue, still trying to find Dorian before I headed to the bathroom. Partygoers kept stopping me to tell me congratulations and how nice the wedding was. A bunch of shit I honestly wasn't trying to hear right now.

"Aye Tim, you seen Dorian?" I approached him  on my way to the exit

"Riahhh, congratulations girl." He smiled with low eyes

"Timothy." I snapped "Have you seen Dorian?" I repeated

"Yeah I just seen him." He took a swig from his personal Hennessy bottle

"Good." I sighed with relief "Where?"

"He was on his way to da' bathroom." His speech was slurred

I groaned "Tim, that was 10 minutes ago."

I walked off from him because he's clearly too inebriated to understand me right now. Even though Tim was crossfaded as fuck, he still followed to make sure everything was ok.

I walked down the hall to the men's restroom and went right in. Two men were at urinals but no sign of Dorian.

"Dorian." I peeked under the stalls

One of the guys quickly zipped his pants up "Aye, you can't be in-"

"Shut da' fuck up." Tim said to him "You seen Dorian?"

"Nah." The guy answered

I approached the last stall seeing a phone on the floor. I rushed over and picked it up.

"Tim, it's Dorian's phone..." I instantly felt uneasy

Dorian never loses his phone. Drunk and all, he wouldn't have left his phone on the bathroom floor.

Where the hell is my husband?

Had to publish chapter 35 just because Chris is 35 today. Might be some type of message in the numbers aligning like that. 😂

But seriously #Where'sDorian?

-Carlisha ❤️