Slipping Away

Chapter 14

November 27th, 1993

Mariah couldn't believe what she was about to do. She had returned to New York to find that Tommy and her mother had already planned the entire wedding behind her back, all the way down to the dress. 

The dress was a Vera Wang with a twenty seven foot train that her mother had designed based on Princess Diana's wedding dress, though it had been updated. She frowned, it was still ugly in her opinion as she had always imagined herself wearing something more form fitting and with Michael Jackson waiting for her at the end of the aisle.

I guess I can still dream.

She hadn't been able to call him with her mother and Tommy constantly around her and with putting the finish touches on the wedding she didn't want to happen. She had just come to terms with the fact that she had already had her last conversation with Michael

Now she was sitting in the chair getting her hair and makeup done, but she couldn't stop the occasional tear from rolling down her face.

"Honey, I need you stop crying. You're gonna make your mascara run." The makeup artist said.

Mariah tried to muster a smile. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. At least they're happy tears."

Right...happy.

"Alright, you're finished. Let's get you in that dress and to your happily ever after." She said.

Mariah's hairstylist smiled. "Girl, how did you get so lucky?"

Mariah shrugged. "I wouldn't say lucky-"

"Sure you are, but I guess when you're in love with someone everything feels like fate rather than luck. I'm gonna go get your bridesmaids."

Mariah looked in the mirror and had to resist from grabbing a brush and breaking it. Her makeup and hair had been done carefully, making her beautiful and she hated every second of it. Nothing felt right about what she was about to do.

Brenda, Patsy, and another friend from high school named Rachel came into the room wearing their bridesmaids dresses.

"You know, I never saw this coming. Tommy? Really?" Brenda shook her head. "Well if you like it, I love it."

Mariah sighed. "I never thought I'd be marrying Tommy either."

"What happened with Michael?" Patsy asked.

"He doesn't even know this is happening." Mariah mumbled.

Rachel's eyes widened. "You didn't tell him?"

"Girl, you about to have the Jackson Five do a drive-by on your penthouse." Brenda said, shaking her head.

Mariah got up from her chair. "Just help me into this dress."

"That's the dress?" Patsy frowned, seeing it.

Brenda frowned. "Mariah, what's going on? Something's not adding up."

"Don't worry about it." She faked a wide smile. "I'm happy. See?"

Brenda, Patsy, and Rachel exchanged glances among each other and Mariah realized she hadn't convinced them. Then again, she had yet to convince herself.

"If you say so." Brenda said. 

Mariah was standing at the alter with Tommy, who was smiling from ear-to-ear.

"You look stunning." He whispered.

Mariah gave a weak smile. "Thank you."

She glanced into the sea of assembled guests and saw her mother in the front with tears of joy glistening in her eyes. Her father, on the other hand, seemed to being wearing a mask of disapproval as he watched Tommy grip her hands eagerly.