I don't mean to show that I know how it goes

 "I've decided to go the Harry Styles route," Jarad said out of nowhere in the waiting room. 

Jade winced hard, "What are you talking about?"

It seemed they spent a lot of time in the waiting room while Jewel was in labor. At first, they would take turns, being with her in her time of need, but after a while she was angry and told them both to go away. That she didn't need them after all.

Then Jared texted someone, and a guy showed up, who so happened to be the father of Jewel's baby. His name was Lance, and well, they (Jade & Jarad) were stuck in the Waiting Room, gazing ever so often at the big window where clouds rolled through with the hope of rain.

"Oh, you know, maybe I'm not father material after all, not even husband quality," Jared was serious as he talked about himself as if he'd had months or more to figure it out. "A bona fide uncle is what I am."

Jade sighed and practically rolled her eyes at his little revelation.

"I dunno," he shrugged as he cradled an empty Dr. Pepper can between his hands, leaning back ever so nonchalantly, he yawned. "I doubt my little brother is much better. Must run in the family, you know."

"What's wrong with Justin?" Jade didn't even want to know how Jared knew whom to text about her sister's baby. 

"He's always been such a cocky lil bugger, only I would know."

The corner of his stare caught Jade off guard. 

"It's all pointless really, I don't know why I even dwell on it. We hate each other very much, but he's all I've got, and I'm all he's got. A lot like you and Jewel." He shrugged with a straight lip that practically frowned.

He was making her teary-eyed, and she didn't know why. Yes, she'd put Jewel through a bit of suffering, having to raise her after they were on their own. But Jade had the future to look forward to, and obviously, Jared didn't.

"You...you don't know." She shook her head no. He reached for a handkerchief in his back pocket. It was a neat little white rectangle, not a spot on it. She was surprised. It was soft, and she knew now he was a bit rough on the outside, yet as tender as they come.

"Why? Why did you even find him?" she sniffed back tears.

"She let it slip a time or two, you know, why we couldn't be together." He told her. "It was the right thing to do. She wants a happy family. Maybe." He smiled. "I want it to be a happy one."

Jade nodded. She wanted to be happy, too, but what if it wasn't with Ari?