You know that feeling where your heart sinks to the bottom of your chest? The foreboding feeling that something was going terribly, terribly wrong? For someone like Jessica who had been through some of the worst situations, it was truly rare for her to feel that anymore. Hell, Jessica had been on the brink of death enough times that something that would get others nervous would not even make her blink an eye. That being said, one of the people in the world that could instantly bring back that… pain… was Malachi Azure. He was likely the one man in the world that had hurt her more than anyone else… and hurt was treading lightly to what he had put her through. So yes, the instant she saw him, she felt only that: pain.
For a moment… maybe it was longer than a moment… Jessica DeLoughrey looked at the man in his eyes without speaking. There was a sense of familiarity within them, however, now the familiarity was hidden in the eyes of a stranger. Maybe he was always a stranger - because if we’re being honest, Jessica never actually knew Malachi Azure. He made sure of that. Was this how her mother felt when realizing who Leonardo Azure truly was? Though, that was a question for another time.
She was brought out of her trance as he started speaking, a cold feeling filling her as he called her Jess, and she felt an involuntary flinch at the word. Perhaps without meaning to, she immediately responded with a curt “Jessica,” to correct him. He didn’t get to do this. He didn’t get to be here. She didn’t care for what reason, honestly, she didn’t care who he was even here to see - he didn’t get to do this. Call her irrational, maybe she was, but Jessica DeLoughrey didn’t know the man who stood in front of her, and honestly, she didn’t want to.
“Well, now you do. Leave.”
Her grip tightened on her little boy who soon muttered another stream of nonsensical sounds and words “whaa madaa baa dada… mamaaaa daaa oooooo” She looked towards her son a smiled at him before kissing his cheek to give the boy some attention. However, as her eyes moved back towards Kai, her gaze drifted to someone else.
Standing with the man was a little girl peeking in. The similarity was close enough that Jess didn’t have to ask Malachi the obvious… nor did she want to. It wasn’t her place to ask, and honestly, while a part of Jess would always hope the man was doing well… it didn’t mean she wanted him back in her life. “I need you to go, Malac…” Jess started, though was distracted by her daughter screaming “MOMMMY MOMMYYY LOOK AT MY DRESS,”
Turning around, Jess smiled despite the way she felt about the person behind her. Both Shay and Zoe had apparently had their turn at picking dresses - which was clearly seen with the excitement on their faces as they ran to Jess in their new outfits. “Look mommy it’s pwink,”
Jess crouched down in front of them, her eyes bright as she looked at her daughters. “Woaahhh you two look so pretty,”
“Mommy… whaaat dwess are you going to wear?”
“Hmmm how about I wear a pink one like you and we can match?,”
“OKAYYY”
In Jess’ distraction talking with Zoe, she had almost forgotten about the person standing behind her. However, her ears perked up when she heard Shay ask “HI do you want to come to our dance with us? WE have pretty dresses.”
Instantly turning around, Jess only caught sight of Shay grabbing the other girl’s hand and running back to the back yard - soon followed by Zoe leaving as well. Jess would have called out for her daughter, but it was far too late with the speed at which Shay ran… and there she was… alone with Kai. She was still crouched down, massaging her temple before standing up and looking the man in the eyes. “Fcking hell… you might as well just come in at this point,” Jess muttered, closing the door behind him.
“Val’s out of town with Dan, so if you wanted to see her, you’re out of luck for a week,” Jess continued without emotion as she led the man to the backyard where the kids were playing alongside dozens of adults standing around the “dance floor” drinking from the bar as they watched the kids having fun. Jez was apparently sitting in the makeup department, helping the kids put on lipstick and eyeshadow after they got dressed up. Honestly, she looked… happier than she had over the past few days which was good. Aidan was shyly sitting by her side, hugging her hand instead of dancing - though that was to be expected.
Walking towards the playpen where the toddlers were, Jess put Grayson down next to the other babies including Ethan before walking over to Kai for the second time. Standing next to him, Jess only looked towards were his daughter was picking out a dress with Shay. “Let her have her fun, but I want you fcking gone after this Kai.” And with that, Jess walked inside, wanting nothing else do with the man.
@Littlefeets - I imagine he follows her for some sort of apology which will get heated.
@astxrism - yo kids mentioned