A/N: Fic request for Janelle who requested Jordan comforting Simone during Labour. Sorry for the delay. I've been mulling around with the best way to tell this.

You're Next Level Brave III

3x01

Jordan can't stop jiggling his knee in his excitement to reach the hospital. He pulled his phone from the charger, locked his car, and called Simone, knowing she wouldn't answer. She was having her baby. He grinned, "Hi baby, I'm coming! I just wanted you to know, I love you and I can't wait to meet your little one. Boy or girl, you are gonna be one amazing mama. I'll see you soon."

Jordan puffed up the staircase, jumping each stair in groups of twos. He didn't dare to stop for a breath, and ran into the lobby, looking around for the reception. He followed the signs, running into the lift and repeatedly pushing the button to the third floor. He careened around a corner, by this time puffing loudly, still in his college gear, he hadn't bothered changing.

He ignored the odd looks by passers-by and noticed Simone's dad pacing up and down the corridor.

"Robert! Has she had the baby yet? I came as soon as I got your text."

Jordan greeted Simone's father with a shake of his hand.

Robert shook his head, "No. Tina's gone to meet with the adoptive parents."

Jordan stuttered, "Oh, are they… here?" he pointed to the floor, his eyes darting around.

Robert nodded, "Yes, downstairs. Look, you wouldn't mind getting me a coffee, would you? Simone's resting and I should check on her. Get yourself something to eat, it's gonna be a long night." He patted Jordan on the back and disappeared into the room behind him.

Jordan was left to do just that.

Robert made sure Jordan wasn't back when he sat on Simone's bed and put his hand on her knee.

"Would you like to tell me what that was about?"

Simone turned her head towards him with a grim smile, "I don't want him to see me like this."

Robert sighed, "He loves you and he wants to be here with you."

Simone gripped the top of her bedsheets, her forehead covered in sweat, "Contraction!"

Robert offered his hand, and Simone clenched her teeth, gripping his hand with a scream.

"You both seemed to be getting along quite well over the summer, you and Jordan."

Simone barely heard him, releasing his hand only to grip it again five minutes later.

When she had regained some of her strength she admitted, "He loves my baby, dad, even when it wasn't his and when I give him up, he'll still love him. I can't look him in the face and see his disappointment... I just can't."

Robert touched her cheek, "You didn't make this decision alone, Simone and one thing I know for sure, is how much he loves you, don't shut him out."

Jordan returned from his coffee run a little later than he intended, he had received a call from Spencer and then of course, his mum and dad, and let them know he was okay, that Simone was okay, and that he'd call them later after the baby's birth.

He couldn't help but be a little nosy and try to find the adoptive parents with Tina, but he didn't see them anywhere and he didn't want the coffees to get any colder.

He handed a coffee to Robert who then disappeared to read the paper without any additional explanation. Jordan was left to peek his head into Simone's room, cautious and excited to see her.

"Simone?"

Jordan noticed the blinds were closed, and Simone rested with her eyes closed. He didn't want to wake her, so he put down his coffee cup on the bedside table and kissed her forehead. She opened her eyes, pulling at his hand with a trembling lip.

"I should have called you, Jordan, I'm sorry I didn't. I was worried."

Jordan squeezed her hand back, "Worried about what?"

Simone sighed, "Everything."

A weight lifted from her chest.

Jordan smiled, "We're going to get through this together."

Simone wrapped a hand around her stomach, "You're gonna stay… with us?"

Jordan nodded, "Sure, if that's what you want? But so, you know, I'm not great with blood…"

Simone laughed, "You don't have to view the birth end, you can just help me push."

Jordan bit his lip, "I might need some pointers, because like you, this is my first time in a labour suite. Is there anything I can get you? Ice, tequila, a doctor, when's this thing about to kick off?"

Simone grabbed his shoulders, "When my water breaks." She followed his gaze to her bedsheets, and realisation dawned on him. "But until then, all I need is for you to hold me."

Jordan's eyes lit up, and he shuffled beside her, a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"You've got this, you're next level brave, remember?"

Baby Shae held onto Jordan; the little guy had grown so much in a year. His adoptive parents Shanelle and Tariq had accepted Simone into their lives, and tolerated Jordan, he thought, although he reckoned by now with Simone off to Bringston, they would be okay with him visiting a lot more on Simone's behalf. Shae was loved by both families, and Jordan had learnt a lot about parenthood.

He jiggled Shae into the air, blowing kisses to Simone, and laughed when Shae yelled "Bye!"

Jordan remembered Shae's birth, and despite his fears, found himself staring in awe at Simone's efforts – the baby had arrived four hours later, his cries alerting them to his presence. The nurses wrapped him in blankets and handed him to Jordan, whilst Simone was stitched up. Jordan didn't dare move, overwhelmed with emotion, he was both awed and terrified.

"How do I look?" he asked when Simone opened her eyes.

He grinned as she smiled through thick tears, "You look good."

"Do you want to hold him?" Jordan moved a little closer.

Simone hesitated, "I want to, but I don't think I could give him away, if I did?"

She let the tears fall from her eyes, and Jordan understood, respecting her decision.

"He's got your eyes," Jordan smiled, as Simone watched.

Tina walked into the hospital room, "It's time. I'll take him to his parents."

Jordan stood up, glancing in Simone's direction, "Now? It seems so soon."

He passed the baby over to his maternal grandmother, missing the warmth against his chest.

Robert nodded, "It's part of the contract."

Jordan sat back down, glancing at the tears in Simone's eyes, she was taking it well. They had talked about the adoption, and Simone had decided on a closed adoption – it would be easier.

Jordan reached for her hand, she moved it aside, rolling away from him.

It took months before they could talk about what happened, and for him to locate Shanelle and Tariq and beg for them to let Simone see and hold her son, even if it was just once.

He was grateful for them to open the door to them both.

"Bye Babies!" Simone had kissed Jordan and Shae before getting a lift with her new friends.

"I'll call you! Love you!" Jordan yelled, as the van pulled away.

They would see each other soon, and besides long distance wasn't so bad, they could focus more on their dreams and still support each other like always.

Jordan waved one last time, remembering the smell of Simone's perfume linger in his nostrils, awed by her bravery. He would miss being with her every second of the day, but he had faith their next chapters would strengthen their relationship. Besides, he fingered his wedding band with a grin, this was just the beginning.

A/N: I hope this was what you wanted.