Disclaimer: Not mine, borrowed & nurtured. A/N: For the anon who requested a Jimone fic. I love them with all my heart, and I do not want to let them go. So, this is set after Jordan's concussion, but I wanted to explore the relationship between Simone/Laura. Hope you like it :)
Jimone
"You're next level brave"
It was the way he said it that made Simone love Jordan even more. She never thought of herself like the way he saw her. Brave. Loyal. Ambitious. He loved with his whole heart, and it had scared her, knowing he could sacrifice his career for her and baby Shae – but then she became his Hail Mary, and she knew whatever decision she made, he would still love her, because Jordan was her husband.
Baby Shae and Jordan had changed the game - they were the reason she was going to college. She had written about her mistakes, her self-sacrifice, the adoption, falling in love and reuniting with Shae. Somebody at the college loved it because not long after she was offered a position, and a scholarship to play Tennis, like she used to. She had Jordan to thank, for inspiring her.
He had changed too, he was no longer the Quarterback with a string of girlfriends, he was devoted to her, and encouraged her to chase her dreams. She was proud of the man he had become and had promised to help him through his recovery after his diagnosis meant he could not play college football. He was stripped of his identity, and she knew he wasn't okay, like he pretended.
His depression worsened.
She asked for Olivia, and Layla's support, worried for his mental health. Homework drained him, and she knew being cut off from the team was not helping. His reluctance to talk only brought distance to their already frail marriage. Simone had tried everything; it was Olivia's suggestion that changed the game, "You have to tell my mum."
Simone grimaced, "I'm not her favourite person, she's probably celebrating our failed marriage."
Olivia tilted her head, "No, she's just protective of Jordan, is all."
Layla picked up her coffee, "Didn't she and your dad marry young?"
Olivia reached for the M&Ms, "Yeah, and my grandpa never accepted her. It's the whole reason why we moved to Beverly. Until Jordan reconnected with him, dad hadn't spoken to him in years."
Layla sipped her coffee, "So, why would Laura treat Simone the same way she was treated?"
Simone tapped her math book with her pencil, "Maybe she's scared our marriage won't last."
Layla leaned back into the couch, "I guess, only time will tell."
Olivia and Simone exchanged a humorous glance, "Okay, Oprah."
Simone approached Laura with the intention to help Jordan not to confront her about her past. What needed to be discussed was Jordan's future. The last time they'd spoken had been under dire circumstances when Jordan was in hospital and Simone was barred from his bedside, until she revealed they were married in Vegas over the summer. It wasn't how they'd planned to tell their parents, but it wasn't an impulsive decision either, it was mutual, and made with love.
"I know you must hate me right now, but I love Jordan and I will love him even without football."
"I don't hate you, Simone, but I can't trust you. I supported Jordan when he told me he got you pregnant, and I was proud of him when he took responsibility. I comforted him when you lied about the birth father, and when you adopted baby Shae, and I will be here when you go to college."
Simone nodded, "I made mistakes, but I do not regret marrying your son. Jordan needs us both, he has depression. He thinks he has nothing without football, as if that would stop me loving him…"
Laura poured a pot of coffee, and passed Simone a mug, they sat in silence for a time, listening to Olivia podcasting, then Laura cleared her throat, "Billy was the same, without football he lost himself – years later, he became a coach. Maybe what Jordan needs is a change in perspective."
Simone sipped her coffee, "What do you suggest?"
Laura sighed, "I'll pay for the psychiatrist, if you show him Ward C at the hospital."
Simone blinked, "What's in Ward C?"
Laura put down her coffee, "Not what, who. Jordan's not the only footballer to have lost his dream."
Simone watched Laura make a call, as she jot down a name with her ball-point pen.
A/N: I was going to google a famous NFL player, but I realised I don't know anyone apart from Nathan Scott, and to be honest, I really wanted to put his name down, even though he's NBA not NFL. The only other person I know is Michael Orr because of the Blindside. So, if you want me to write a part two, please give me some NFL names for this! I want to see more Laura/Simone bonding sessions, because the one thing they have in common is their love for Jordan.