The Alternate World Series: Malachi Azure - Part 1
So, you’ve heard me say it before – there are, indeed, multiple realities. Multiple worlds continually going on infinitely. In this life, Jessica Pierce ended up with Dorian DeLoughrey: a man she truly loves with all of her heart. And how could she not? He had always been her first love – and in this life, he would be her last too. And have you seen their kids? Absolutely adorable. But if you believe that this was the only way things could have ended up, you are very wrong. I mean… just take a look at my last storytime. In another world… another life, Jessica was wholeheartedly in love with another. One Andy McAllister. Here’s the thing I personally have found interesting about Jessica Pierce within my job as a “narrator”. When she loves someone – she loves fully. It is all-encompassing for her. Well… in most cases. Let’s just say there were a few individuals cough Trevor cough where she always wondered what could have been. Then again, Jess never was fully in love with Trevor.
In any case, this story isn’t about Trevor. Rather, it’s about another man Jess had the ability to fully love. One that almost seemed written in the stars. Want to know a secret… part of it was written in the stars. Sometimes we celestial beings and Narrators like to mess around and let’s just say the number of times Jessica Pierce and Malachi Azure momentarily missed each other in this life was a little game between us all. This only goes to show how many moments there were that the two could have met… been together before the craziness of their lives got in the way. If Jessica had just waited a few moments longer when talking to little Akielah at the airport, or perhaps, if she had gone on that date her parents had set her up on when she was 16 instead of having Jezebel Sloane pretend to be her. For Malachi and Jessica, it was always simple misses, however, that’s what made their connection when they finally met that much stronger. The thing is, no matter what others say – It’s true that Jessica Pierce and Malachi Azure were drawn to each other. Maybe they always would.
There were many routes I could have taken in telling this story – however, I have a particular one in mind. This story… well… let’s just say I was drawn to it for its intricacies. Sure, Jess could have left with Kai during his wedding. But this story – this one’s a little more… action-packed. Let’s go back a little bit – all the way back to 2024 when our dear Jessica saw Malachi Azure at a memorable press interview. One in which she asked him to leave with her… one in which he said no, an answer she had given him on a few years earlier.
However, what changed? What is so special about this universe? Well… let’s just say a little change in “positioning” can lead to something more than just a broken heart.
Year 4: Age 22 to 23 – The Pain of a Thousand Deaths
"musical_note: Play Love Sux – Marisa Maino 
A fool. That’s how she felt standing in front of Malachi Azure that day as he told her he was not coming with her. That he couldn’t leave with her. Perhaps that’s how he had felt years earlier when she had said it to him. So…. was it all a ploy? Had he done all that… gotten her hopes up that they could be together simply to put her through the pain of him saying he couldn’t? Was that all she was to him? Because for Jess – the moment she said no to him years earlier at his wedding was something she had done for him. Something she wanted to do to protect him. And if he had done that… broken her heart… played with it simply to hurt her… well that… was crueler than anything Jess could have ever done.
His voice echoed in her mind as she looked into his eyes, her heartbreaking. And no, she didn’t give him a chance to finish what he was going to say. Because the moment she looked down – she found his wedding ring on his finger. And she knew that he had made a decision – one that told her she was not part of his life. Walking away from the castle that day – Jessica Pierce didn’t look back. Despite that, however, her life would forever be changed after that day. Something… well… something she didn’t realize until a few months later.
Year 5: Age 23 to 24 - Running
Play Remember That Night - Sara Keys
Working under Sabastian Varlock was… honestly a life-changing opportunity for Jessica Pierce. Soon after her heartbreak, she immediately went into preparation mode. After all – crying about a man who clearly didn’t care about her would do nothing. Not to mention that within a month of the interview with the… prince and princess – she had to leave… an opportunity that Dorian had encouraged her to apply to as a freshman. One that she had gotten and worked her ass off for the past 4 years; which required learning the Korean language, writing, learning how to maintain a cover, and so much more. Perhaps it was good. After her heart being broken for the second time, she needed the distraction. Did that mean it didn’t hurt? That it didn’t kill her when she saw the magazines that revealed a pregnancy rumor for Kai and the princess? The reality would be that… it would always hurt – but she couldn’t let that hold her back because if Jess let all of that… catch up to her… she would never be able to move on. There was too much pain in Jess’ past for her to stop – in reality – she had to keep running. Running kept her alive.
In a month, she had arrived – seemingly the lowly assistant that carried the bags and helped with equipment. For a while, everything was going according to plan. Jessica had found herself being treated like one of the servants – which is exactly what she and Professor Varlock had hoped. While he was dining like a king, Jess was treated like scum – giving her the best material for the real story. The story that Varlock was never going to write. One that was only her own.
It wasn’t until about 3 months in that Jess realized that things weren’t all according to plan. It had been a late night of helping Professor Varlock “record” the “prosperous” North Korea – though Jess had the opportunity to sneak away and get real footage of the true destitution. For some reason – Jess was getting… more tired than usual. She found herself retiring early to the servant quarters trying to figure out what was happening when one of the older servants who Jess had become friends with entered the space.”jesika gwaenchanh-a?” The woman asked, questioning if she was feeling okay with a small bowl of food in her hand. For the past few days Jess had been skipping meals which was odd in itself – though it seemed the older woman had noticed as she brought the girl some. Though here was the issue, the moment it was in proximity to Jess – the smell immediately made her nauseous and Jess found herself running to the bathroom and throwing up the small amount of food she had eaten in the day up. The worry in the older woman was immediate as she helped Jess in the bathroom. But after a few moments, the woman said something ” imsin-ibnida” and Jess’ eyes widened at the woman who with a knowing look uttered that she was pregnant. And then it hit Jess – she had, indeed, missed her period for the last few months. And then… the worry set in as the memories of what had occurred a few years earlier hit her and her past… well… it was catching up and this time, she couldn’t run.
Year 6 - Well damn, a kid in North Korea
Play For Real - Lana Condor
Pregnant and in North Korea…. Yeah, that was an issue. It took quite a bit of comforting from the older woman that night to bring Jess out of her fear – the woman who had started praying immediately as Jess told her what had happened last time. Was it the North Korean voodoo pray that the woman had done? Maybe Jess’ own prayers to a God she had labeled as non-existent in the past. Well – that she would never know. What she did know was that the baby was doing well despite not being able to see a doctor. After all, Jess was still being treated like a servant which albeit worried her, Jess was happy to have the support of the other servants who helped take care of her. And that’s how Jess found herself having a healthy baby girl half a year later inside of a bathtub with the help of a midwife and the other people who had been working in the castle. Though Varlock was visibly unhappy by her pregnancy, even he had to admit it was a good story. Though more than unhappy, Jess knew he was more worried for her wellbeing – notable by the letter he had sent her… risking the whole assignment simply to ask her if she would be okay and if she needed to take leave.
But that was it – as worried as Jess was, she had help. The moment the baby was born, everyone in the servitude of the dictator was helping take care of her and the baby – one that they all loved like their own. One that… shared more than a few similarities to her father. Despite everything, Jess stayed on with her cover; if anything, having a baby made her go by even more unnoticed – allowing her the opportunity to see more. To witness more. And her little girl – Jess… god Jess loved the life out of her. Any second Jess had – the girl was with her baby. And at 4 months old, Jess finally had the chance to take her home…. Though… well let’s just say there were a few issues bringing the baby back to the states. Because she did, indeed, get caught at the last moment and was almost stuck in Korea. Despite everything, however, Jess was okay. Her baby girl was okay. And now – she was going back. Though what she would tell everyone when she got there… that she didn’t know. Hell… Jess didn’t even know if she would be able to tell them that she had returned.
Well… and maybe she wouldn’t have. Maybe Jess would have disappeared for a while longer with her little girl in tow – not let anyone know she had returned. But that was when she heard that Ziah had passed. No matter what was going on Jessica’s own life, she would forever be there for Andy and found herself making her way to his home immediately. And as she knocked on the door, Jess held her daughter close. Smiling sadly as Andy opened the door. “Hey nug…” Jess whispered, wrapping one hand around him immediately as she muttered “I’m so sorry about Ziah” in his ears. Letting him go, Jess looked into his eyes as she said her next sentiment. “Your goddaughter is sorry too,” she muttered, “but we’re both here for you…” she whispered.
To be continued…
Mentioned:
@Littlefeets - Kai
@astxrism - Dorian
@CerealKiller - Andy