"The Bridesmaid and the Baby Daddy"

So, boom. My best friend Tina asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Cute, right? I was hype. We’d been friends since high school, and she was finally marrying this guy named Marcus—tall, quiet, successful, kind of fine in a “I pay my bills on time” kind of way. Tina had always said he was her calm in the storm.

Anyway, the wedding was on a Saturday, and the Friday before, she had this super classy rehearsal dinner. Candlelight, white roses, everyone in muted tones. Very Pinterest. We’re all giving toasts and reminiscing about the couple, and of course, I’m emotional because I love love.

But then…

Marcus’s ex shows up.

Not just any ex—the ex he said he hadn’t seen in years. She strolls in late, wearing a black silk dress, hair laid, stomach... very round.

Tina sees her and goes, “Wait… is that, Ciara?”

And I say, “Oh my God. She’s pregnant.”

Tina whispers, “That baby better not be his.”

Now I know what you’re thinking: Why would she come?

Turns out, she was invited by one of the groomsmen—who didn’t know they used to date.

And let me tell you… sis came with a purpose.

The ex, Ciara, walks up to the head table, looks Tina dead in her face and says:

“Congratulations. I just wanted to let you know before tomorrow… I’m due in 6 weeks. Marcus knows.”

I dropped my wine glass.

Tina blinked like she was buffering.

Marcus? Just sat there. Like he got hit with a tranquilizer dart.

Ciara? Walked away. Like she didn’t just drop a nuclear bomb on the crab cakes.

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At this point, the whole room is in chaos. You know how Black folks get when drama hits a function? Phones were coming out. Aunties whispering. A groomsman went outside to vape aggressively. I’m sitting there like this is the best live episode of Maury I’ve ever attended.

Tina pulls Marcus aside. They go outside for like twenty minutes. I can’t hear the convo, but I see her hand flying in the air like she’s conducting a gospel choir.

When they come back in, Tina grabs the mic and goes:

“So… some of y’all just witnessed a mess. I just want to say—this wedding is NOT canceled.”

Everybody claps, but it’s real awkward.

Then she adds:

“I knew about the baby. I didn’t know she’d show up. But yes, Marcus and Ciara hooked up once during our break last year. And I forgave him. But I didn’t forgive her for being this petty.”

And y’all. This woman turns to the back of the room, points directly at Ciara and says:

“You can leave now.”

Security escorted her out while Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” played from someone’s phone speaker.

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The next day? Tina got married in a dress so tight you could hear her breathing. Marcus looked like a man on probation, but he smiled through it. I stood next to her at the altar thinking, This marriage has already survived a scandal, so maybe they’ll make it.

Fast forward 6 months later…

Marcus is a dad.

Tina’s still married.

And Ciara? She named the baby “Karma.”

I told y’all this was messy.

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