One Last Breath
by Katie

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, except for Sarah Dumont, James Walker, Madison Walker, Riley Singer, and a few other minor characters, but for the most part, I own nothing.
Synopsis: This installment takes place years after Jessie and Katie split. They both have their own lives and both have a daughter. This is their story.
Writer's note: If you haven't read The College Years or Graduation it would probably help you if you read those first, because a lot of what's going on in OLB there are clarifications for them in TCY and/or G. Just as a pre-warning, after OLB, there will be a sequel to it called Together Again, for obvious reasons, but don't worry, I'll keep you entertained, or at least, I hope to. Enjoy.
BTW: Although they're both living in the same city, neither of them realizes the other one is so close by. The first part of this installment is just to catch you up on what's been going on & the second part is in Madison's POV.
BTW2: This fic is really long, or at least it is on my laptop. But don't worry, it's worth it, trust me. And sorry this one took so long, Enjoy!

PART 3

Whoever said that time changes everything, was right. But then again, some things never change. Even after so many years of aggravation, pain, and time apart, Katie was still in love with Jessie. After she divorced Amy and started raising Riley, she hadn't had a single date. Riley was the only thing in her life, her everything. Katie gave Riley all the love in the world, but in the back of her mind, there was still a hope that someday she would find Jessie and they would fall in love, again.

Now little Riley's all grown up and fourteen years old, but she'll be fifteen in late September. When Katie and Riley are together, its almost like seeing double. Riley isn't as tall as her mom, only 5'3", but she has light brown hair with blonde highlights that is long and wavy. Plus she has bluish/green eyes. Riles, as her friends and close family call her, is everything and more. Riles plays in the marching band (bass guitar), she's going to be involved with the art and drama programs at her high school, as well as the French Club. Riles is also one of the two freshman privileged enough to play on the varsity soccer team. As much as Riley's like Katie, she has her differences too, but there aren't too many. Katie's relationship with her daughter reminded her of an old television show that was on when she was younger called Gilmore Girls. Riley shares everything with Katie, and vis versa. They're best friends, but
Katie knows when to be a mom. Riley's taste in music isn't quite like her mom's. Riles loves pop rock, classic, indie, and jazz music. She is pretty popular, especially for a freshman and has amazing style, mixing a somewhat girly style with a classic touch. Unlike Katie, Riley is a vegetarian. Yep, Katie was pretty damn proud of her daughter. For the most part, Katie was very happy, painting pictures for a famous little art gallery and teaching art sessions at the local community centers.

For Jessie, life was bittersweet. She had lost her husband whom she really thought she loved, but after years of therapy, she learned otherwise. Yes Jessie did love James, but he didn't consume her thoughts and her heart didn't belong to him. It took Jess ten years after James' death to finally admit verbally that she was in fact, still in love with Katie. No one knows the depths of Katie's affect on Jessie except for two people: Jessie's therapist Dr. Hannigan and Karen. Katie broke her heart when she confessed that she cheated on her and Jessie just couldn't forgive her for it. For the longest time, Jessie fell asleep crying. She was crying because she was forced to raise her daughter alone, her husband was now gone, and because Katie, her soul mate, was gone forever. Or so she thought.

Madison is at times a perfect replica of her mom but sometimes a complete 180. She skipped a grade in school just as Jess had. She's now in eleventh grade when she would normally be in tenth. Madison is 5'7", green eyes, and strawberry blonde hair that is cut kind of short, just above the shoulders in a `spunky' style. Madison is definitely a lot more out going then Jess was at that age. She plays piano and electric guitar for the high school jazz band, runs track and cross-country, she also plays volleyball. She's the vice president of the German Club and will probably major in math or history. Jessie sometimes wonders how Madison can do everything that she does and still manage to be an individual with her sporty/punk style, listen to rock, alternative, punk, and jazz music, be in the National Honor Society, be popular, AND have a 4.0 GPA. Although Jessie and Madison's relationship isn't perfect, especially since Jessie is always working at the hospital and Madison doesn't really like to talk much, she has about ten journals stashed in various parts in her room, just dealing with being in high school. But nonetheless, they had their mother daughter bonding experiences. Just before her freshman year of high school, Jessie finally decided to tell Madison of her past, with Katie. After James died, Jessie never dated. None of her co-workers or new close friends knew of her past, so no one ever tried to set her up with a female. It took her co-workers and bosses seven years before they finally gave up on trying to hook Jessie up with someone. Jessie didn't really mind being single because deep down inside, she was wishing every day that she would bump into Katie or have the nerve to try to find the one who got away.

Jessie and Katie's lives had both dramatically changed in the past twenty-five years. Jessie was a very passionate person, but now she was passionate about her work and raising her daughter instead of being passionate about a love she thought would never end. She now wears her hair in a loose ponytail and hardly ever wears any kind of makeup. Jessie dresses up for conferences and outing for work, but usually you can find her in her scrubs or jeans and tee shirts. Katie on the other hand, was still very much the same person. She isn't afraid of what other people think of her, she cares for those who are important to her and she does what she loves to do.

Things are about to get very interesting. It's amazing how fate can bring two people together…

Late Summer/Fall 2030

It's the first day of school. Another year filled with homework, tests, and countless hours in a school that doesn't even have a decent book to sign out. I've never really liked anything about Buffalo District High School. But I guess in a way, you're not supposed to like school. I like some of my teachers, the extracurricular and some of the people. To most people, I'm very
blessed. I'm talented in music and sports and I get good grades. I guess I could agree with them, for the most part anyways. A few years back, when I first started high school, my mom told me one of her darkest secrets, dealing with her past. At first I didn't know what to think, I mean, what would you have done if after thirteen years of your life you mom told you that she was in love with a girl before she married your dad, who's dead by the way? I was mad, upset, but most of all confused. I never really pictured my mom being gay. She's so conservative. We've talked about it and now it's not so shocking. It actually makes a lot of things clearer now. For example, she never dates. I used to think it was because she wasn't over losing my dad, but now that I know about Katie, it's because no one knows she's really gay and that she's still in love with this mystery girl. My mom's shown me pictures of her before, and I have to say, she is really beautiful. I keep telling my mom to try to find her and I'd even help her out. My mom isn't the best at computers, even though she has about three different laptops in her offices at home and at the hospital, but she usually only uses them for their databases dealing with patient records and stuff like that. I'm pretty much a genius plus I'm a research fanatic. No seriously, I am just about a genius, or as far as those expensive tests go. Don't worry; I don't act all high and mighty, because it's tough enough being in high school with a majority of peers that could care less about getting into a good college. It doesn't help that I'm a year younger than most of my classmates, not to mention that about 2/3 of my classes are advanced, so I try to keep my mouth shut most of the time. I do have friends though. My best friends are James, Grace, and Kelly. We've all known each other since I skipped sixth grade. They're all a year older than me in age, but we're in most of the same classes together. James and I had in jazz band together. Grace and I were in World lit and American lit. Kelly and I had advanced trig, chemistry, and creative writing together. Out of the three, I'd have to say that Kelly knows me the best. This past summer has really brought us closer together. Grace and James were at some camp in Connecticut being counselors, so Kelly and I just hung out just about every day…

Well, wow I must be boring you to death by now. So let me get to the juicy stuff. Welcome to Buffalo District High School. Nothing ever happens here. Let's get to homeroom for my class schedule, for the love of God, let me get Hart for advanced bio and Carlton for German III or I'll be screwed worse than a whore on a discount night.

"Why Ms. Walker, thank you for joining us. Here's your schedule. Take a seat and wait like everyone else until Mr. Phillips excuses you all so you can go to your actual classes."

"Sorry Mr. Boyd, it won't happen again." I really am sorry about being late. That's something that almost got me kicked out of NHS for, being tardy so many times. I was grounded for a week for being so close to that. Since then, I've tried pretty hard to get to class on time.

Well, here's my schedule. It's not going to be as hard as you may think.

Class Schedule of: Walker, Madison M. Advisor: Mr. Boyd
Counselor: Ms. West
Course 1: German III Mrs. Carlton                                    Room: 1455
Course 2: Jazz Band Mr. Patrick                                        Room: 1204
Course 3: Calculus Mrs. Simon                                        Room: 1127
Course 4: Advanced Biology Dr. Murray                           Room: 1322
Course 5: Advanced American Studies Mrs. Mack       Room: 1428
Course 6: Literary Writing Mr. Fisher                                Room: 1469

Most of these classes are pretty advanced, but I think I'll be able to handle it. I don't know what I'm going to do about Dr. Murray though. I was really praying for Hart because he's such a better teacher than Murray but at least I have Carlton for German. I better see Kelly, James, or Grace in the hallway to see if we have any of the same classes together.

"Attention students, you may now proceed to your first course class." Our principal Mr. Phillips was a pretty cool guy. But still, he WAS a principal so we tried not to make it look like we thought he was cool. Not that we care what other people think about us, but still. I think you too would care about what other people thought if it was knuckle or ham sandwich for lunch.

I'm walking down the hall, just minding my own business, just trying to get to my locker before Literary Writing, and all of a sudden some freshman runs smack into me, obviously not sure of where they were going.

"OMG, I'm so sorry! I'm not really sure where I'm going and I'm kind of lost," the girl said frantically as she reached down to pick up her books. Geez, it's amazing how teachers load the freshman with their books on the first day. Come on teachers! It's the first day of school! You have ALL YEAR to give us homework. And for Pete's sake, take it easy on the freshman, you do want them to come back next year right? I feel kind of sorry for the girl, so I decide to help her out. Plus I remember how it was like to be a freshman.

"Here, let me help you with that." I bend down beside her and take a look at her books. She's got the usual freshman stuff: Earth Science, algebra, etc. Everything about this girl seems just like all the other freshman, no make that all the other people in this school, the followers, but something about her looks so familiar, but I can't put my finger on it.

"Oh thanks. I think you've been the first person to actually help me today." I could tell that she was being sincere and amazingly honest.

There was a slight hesitation in her body. She just kind of stood there so I thought I'd try to help her out.  "…I'm Madison by the way. My friends call me Maddy. Where's your next class? Maybe I could give you directions."

"Hhhi Madison, I'm Riley. Most people just call me Riles. My next class is," she quickly reaches out her schedule from her navy blue backpack, then finishes, "well, it doesn't say, but it just has a teacher's name and a room number. My schedule got messed around so they have me as a student assistant until the office can straighten things out."

"Oh, well, let me see it."

Riley unsurely hands me her schedule. I quickly do a read over. I pick up on key words. "Singer, Riley M." "Earth Science" etc. Then I see her 6th course. Holy mother, she's in my class!

"Well, it looks like you're in luck today Riles. You're going the same place that I am. Come on we better get going or my mom will kill me if I get a tardy on the first day."

And with that we both started jogging down the hall to Mr. Fisher's classroom. Luckily, we made it just before the second bell.

"Welcome ladies. Take a seat and we'll get started."

We reply in unison, "ok."

I quickly scan the room, looking for Kelly, James, and/or Grace. Looking, still looking, there we go! Kelly. Thank the lord; she saved me an extra seat.

"Hey Kelly, thanks for the seat." I don't use my usual tone of voice, but rather, a softer whisper.

"Anytime Maddy, I wouldn't want anyone else to sit next to me but you." She quickly smiles then turns to face Mr. Fisher whose about to go over class rules and that other crap. This past summer has been good, but also confusing. I keep getting the feeling like Kelly likes me a lot more than friends. And to be perfectly honest, I think I'm starting to like her more too. But more on this later.

"Welcome to Literary Writing. As most of you know I'm Mr. Fisher. First off, let's take attendance just to make sure everyone's where he or she is supposed to be."

He starts reading names off the list.

"…Madison Walker?"

"Here."

"Ok, I think that's just about everyone. Is there anyone I missed?"

Slowly, I see Riley raise her hand.

"Yes?"

"Umm… I think you forgot me sir. I don't know if I'd be on your regular list or not." She stood up and walked towards Mr. Fisher and handed him her schedule.

"Well…Ms. Singer, welcome to my class. Even though you'll be doing mostly gopher work for me, you'll probably be able to sit in on my class sometimes and take a few notes, for the future. Stay after class and I'll fill you in on your job, alright?"

"Ok, thanks."

I'm so glad that upperclassmen teachers didn't start passing out books or anything ridiculous until after Labor Day. I'm just waiting for the bell to ring so I can get out of here.  Cross-Country practices don't start until after Labor Day as well, even though we're supposed to be running around 3 miles a day anyways. Which I do, I love to run, especially just after I've bought a really good c.d. or made an awesome burned one.

(The bell rings, finally)

"Ok class, I'll see you on Monday."

As the class slowly empties, Kelly and I stay behind, to catch up. Also, Riley stays after to talk to Mr. Fisher. Kelly and I both had Fisher freshman year 6th period, so he's used to us hanging out in his room after class is over. We usually only stay five minutes anyways.

Kelly and I just talked about the usual. We mostly talk about what teachers we have, how Grace and James better start going out soon, just our everyday stuff. As we're about to leave, Riley comes over to me. I can tell that she's about to ask me something.

"…Hi Madison. I was wondering if maybe you could give me a ride home. Normally I would just take the bus home but by staying after to talk to Mr. Fisher, well, I kind of missed it. If you can't that's fine I just thought I'd ask."

"Sure, where do you live? Oh, Riley, this is my best friend Kelly Shipman. Kelly, this is Riley Singer, we kind of bumped into each other in the hallway." That comment causes Riley to crack a smile and kind of chuckle.

"I live right off of Harrison Street. Hi Kelly, it's nice to meet you."

"Right back at ya." Kelly turns and looks at me. I know what she's thinking. It's a ritual every year after the first day of school to go out to get a shake and fries, then go over somebody's house for the night, since school is always the day before Labor Day weekend. I just hunch my shoulders up and give her my best `I'm so sorry, what can I do?' faces and she just shakes her head and laughs to herself.

The whole time we're walking to my car, Riley seems to be nervous considering she's two steps behind us. Without asking for Kelly's consent, I quickly ask Riley a question.

"So Riley, would you like to join us on our yearly ritual?"

"Umm…I don't know, I don't want to intrude or anything. Besides, I have to be home by 3:30 anyways, otherwise my mom will send out the hounds. She worries about me sometimes."

This causes me to laugh. It reminds me of my mom when I was a freshman.

"Sorry," I begin to explain, "my mom used to be like that. Why don't we take you to your house, considering how it's almost 3:30 anyways, you can introduce me to your mom and all that stuff then the three of us will head to The Café for some shakes, how does that sound?"

"Wow, that would be great! I'm sure my mom would love to meet you guys. I haven't really met anyone from school yet, well besides my friends Alyson and Julian, but they were just as clueless about this school as I was, well, am, so yeah."

"Which car is yours Madison?"

"Oh, it's the black BMW beetle over there. Sorry but you'll have to ride in the backseat, because Kelly is my automatic first mate." I glance over to Kelly who's now on the other side of my car and smile. She laughs back.

"That's ok, I'm just happy I don't have to walk home."

We all pile into the car and head to Riley's house. We pretty much rode in silence, besides my XM satellite radio on. The whole time there I wonder what Riley thinks of Kelly and me. We don't dress anything alike, yet anyone could tell that we're best friends. If you made me categorize what I wear, it would be surfer/punk/sporty. But right now it's pretty much a combination of all three. As I'm driving I look over what I'm wearing. It's typical Madison Walker stuff, billabong tee, dickies pants and a pair of sneakers. Then I glance into the rear view mirror. Also typical Madison Walker. My hair isn't as chunky styled as it usually is, but I never put too much effort into my hair for school until I'm used to waking up at six in the morning everyday. Then I look further into the mirror, at Riley. She's completely different from me, or so it seems. She's got that classic girly look to her. Kelly quickly gets my attention when she changes the station.

"Hey, I happen to like that song!" I'm only half mad and she knows it.

"Oh well, I'm first mate so I get to choose." All I do is sit back, drive and laugh.

"Alright Riley, we're on Harrison, where's your house? On the left or right?"

"Umm… it's right there, with the big oak front door. You can pull into the driveway if you want, my mom won't mind."

"Ok."

I pull up into the driveway and turn the car off. My first impression was that an artist had to live here. It just has that artsy vibe to it, like cost and function don't really matter, as long as it's comfortable and the way you like it. I like that in a house.

"Wow, cool house."

"Yeah, I like it too." Kelly finally enters the conversations.

"Well, let's go in." And Riley leads the way. I walk a little bit slower so Riley has a few second lead and hold Kelly back with me, then I quickly whisper in her ear, "Sorry, but I felt really bad for her today. Plus, she could be cool. You can spend the night at my house this time, ok?" I was really hoping she would forgive me, because this is something we've always done, alone. But Kelly's got a heart of gold.

"Yeah, don't worry it's fine."

Riley welcomes us into her house. It's huge. There's a lot of space and a lot of paintings on the walls. But it's cool.

"Let me go get my mom. I'll be right back. You can just chill on the couch or something."

"Alright."

Kelly and I walk over to the couch and take a seat. It's kind of awkward, being in a new person's house. But the awkwardness was just about to begin. If only I was prepared for it.

"Mom, I'd like you to meet Riley Walker and Kelly Shipman. Riley was kind enough to help me find one of my classes and to give me a ride home." The second I looked up it was like déjà vu. I now knew why Riley looked so familiar to me. I think Riley's mom realized who I was too. A lot of my mom's co-workers and friends, as well as most of my family, say that I'm almost a spitting image of my mother. Riley saw as her mother and I almost had a staring contest, or at least that must have been how it seemed, because I think we just looked at each other for a few minutes. Riley could tell something wasn't quite right so she spoke up.

"…Mom, do you know her or something?" She was obviously confused, just as Kelly now was. Kelly turned to me and asked a similar question.

"…Maddy, are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost or something."

I decided to speak up first.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Excuse me…Mrs. Singer?" I paused; hoping that I wasn't wrong about what I thought was true. "Umm…is your name by chance Katie?" Kelly just looked at me like I was crazy.

"…Why yes, it is. How did you know that?"

"Well, I'm not sure if this is right, but do you someone by the name…Jessie Sammler?"

Now it was Ms. Singer who looked like she had seen a ghost.

"Mom, what is it? Do you know her or something?"

"Yes, Riley, I do, or rather, I did. We went to high school together." Then she turned towards me. "How do you know Jessie?"

"Well, I'm her daughter."

Just then, Ms. Singer looked like she was about to faint or something. I quickly rushed over to her.  "Are you ok Mrs. Singer? Here, sit down." And with Riley and Kelly's help, we helped her sit down.

"It's just Ms. Singer. I never changed my name when I was once married."

"Oh, ok." I wasn't really sure where she was getting at.

"Madison, is Jessie married?"

"Well, she was, to my dad, but she's not anymore…" I just sat down and became very quiet. Kelly knew exactly why I got quiet. So she spoke up for me.

"What Madison was trying to say is that Ms. Sammler's not married anymore because Maddy's dad died about ten years ago."

"…Oh. I'm so sorry to hear that. I was just wondering because you're last name isn't Sammler." Katie really didn't know what to do now.

"Can I ask you one more thing Ms. Singer?"

"Sure, I don't see why not."

"I don't want you to get mad at me or anything, but…if you loved my mom as she told me you did, then why haven't you tried to contact her or anything?"   Everyone just looked at me, not sure what to think.

"Well Madison, to be perfectly honest with you, I've thought about contacting her everyday. I just thought it would be impossible to find her. That and I thought she never wanted to see me again."

"I may be wrong but from what she tells me, she would like nothing more than to hear from you. But let me warn you. You screwed up with my mom once, if you get back into her life now and make the same mistake, you'll have me to deal with. I will do anything and everything in my power to protect my mother. She's been through so much and she doesn't deserve to be hurt again."

"Wow. I had no idea. Is she working tonight?"

What a strange question to ask after I just told you off. Oh well.  "No, she's only working a few hours today. I'm pretty sure that she's home right now. Why do you ask?"

"Well, if it's alright with you, I think I'll go over there and talk to her."

"Oh, alright. But you have to promise me that you won't hurt her."  I was being so serious; I don't think I've ever been more serious in my life.

"Trust me Madison, I never meant to hurt your mother and I won't make that mistake twice. I just have to see her. Let me go get my keys and I'll follow you out. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, it's fine by me. I just hope my mom will be ready for it."

The four of us made our way towards the cars. When Kelly and I got in mine, she asked, "What's going on Maddy?"

"To make a story short, my mom and Riley's mom were well…dating during high school and college."

"Oh wow, I had no idea."

"Yeah, neither did I until a few years ago. Come on, let's get there quick, I sure hope my mom's ready for this."

"Yeah, me too. And Maddy?"

"What Kelly?"

"…Oh never mind, I'll talk to you about it later."

"…Ok."

Following that I backed out and headed for home, with Riley and her mom following us. Hopefully my mom's in the mood for a lot of surprises tonight…

END.