The Sequel 2008***NOW COMPLETE***

[ZeldaGilroy]

Hey everyone...I don't know if you remember me. I used to post here a lot although when I logged in it said I hadn't been on since 2003...yikes, has it been that long? I wrote Living the Facts of Life parts 1 & 2 (which are currently on page 6 of this board and personally I think are my best fanfics.) I also wrote a sequel to the Facts of Life reunion movie.

Well...after rediscovering FOL on youtube I decided to read my old fanfics and I discovered that I had promised to write a sequel to the FOL reunion movie sequel. It's a sequel-sequel...LOL!

I bumped up the original for those who haven't read it.

So...I started writing tonight since I had a little free time. I figured I'd post some and see if anyone is interested in reading it. If not...I can stop. If you like it I'll try to add some each day.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!
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Chapter 1

She couldn’t…she didn’t…it was impossible. Blair Warner looked at herself in the mirror. She looked normal. Her blond hair hung loosely around her neck. Her face although strained, was stunning as ever. She didn’t look anywhere near her 43 years. She felt healthy. She hadn’t even had a cold in over a year. How could she have cancer?

She thought back to the day last week when her whole world seemed to shatter. She had taken her five year old son Ethan to kindergarten and then headed off for her yearly physical. She had almost canceled the appointment because things were so hectic at the inn and Tad was out of town on business, but something made her go. It was during the exam that Dr. Greeley had found the lump. Blair assured Dr. Greeley that she hadn’t felt it previously…that it was probably nothing. The doctor agreed but insisted on a mammogram anyway. Blair had a family history of cancer. Her mother had several benign lumps over the years and then one cancerous one. It was better to be safe than sorry. The results had taken her by surprise. There was a definite mass. A biopsy was the only way to determine if her life was about to change forever.

Blair managed to keep the whole situation a secret. She didn’t want to worry anyone needlessly. The biopsy only took 45 minutes and she wasn’t in too much pain afterward. It was a Friday, and Blair simply checked into a New York hotel for the evening afterward. Tad was still out of town and she had asked Dorothy’s daughter Tisha to watch Ethan for the day. Tisha was a senior at Eastland and was able to pick Ethan up from school and watch the little boy overnight. As far as everyone knew, Blair had been shopping in New York for the day and decided to stay in the city to see a Broadway show. No one had questioned her. No one knew her secret.

Now that she had the results, she couldn’t keep it a secret any longer. The biopsy had confirmed her fears. Cancer…stage II. The tumor was five centimeters, but had not spread to the lymph nodes. It was still considered early-stage. All the information the doctor had given her ran through her mind. What was she going to do? How would she tell Tad? How would she tell her friends?

Suddenly she was brought back to reality by the small voice behind her. “Mommy,” Ethan stared anxiously at his mother. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Blair hadn’t even realized tears were streaming down her cheeks. She turned to face her little boy. How would she ever tell him? He didn’t deserve this. She pulled him close to her.

“Nothing is wrong sweetie,” she whispered. “Everything is going to be just fine.” As she said it, she almost believed it was true.

[RoryGilmore]

Great to have you back I was around then, on a different username, God cant believe I've been around here for 6 years! Anyway I'm gonna have to read the first one today then I'll come back and read this. But yeah glad your back and writing again!

[RoryGilmore]

Wow five years later and Blair has cancer!

POST MORE!!!!! I'm Intrigued! I'm hooked!!

[ZeldaGilroy]

I'm glad you're reading this Jo/Blair Fan. Here is some more for you...

Chapter 2

Dorothy Ramsey picked up the phone. She dialed and was surprised by the voice on the other end.

“Little Inn,” answered an unfamiliar voice. Blair must have lost yet another desk clerk. It seemed someone new answered the phone every other week.

May I speak to Mrs. Warner-Warner?” she asked.

“I’m sorry,” the desk clerk replied, “she is not working today. She is in her room and I am not allowed to bother her.”

Dorothy laughed. That sounded like Blair. Spending the day in her own luxurious suite and refusing calls. “Okay, thanks anyway,” she told the clerk. “I’ll call her private line.”

Dorothy dialed Blair’s private line and heard her friend answer on the third ring. “Blair Warner,” Dorothy scolded. “How dare you go see a Broadway play and miss my performance at the Peekskill Playhouse last Friday night.” She was teasing, but enjoyed getting a reaction from her friend.

“Uhm…” Blair tried to think of an excuse. “I’m sorry…I didn’t realize your play was opening so soon. I thought I’d just take a day in New York to rejuvenate myself before Tad gets back this week.”

Dorothy was surprised by Blair’s reaction. She was lying. She could tell…but why? “It’s okay Blair. I was only playing around,” Dorothy said softly. “Tisha told me she babysat Ethan the other night and I was just calling to see how it went. Did you have fun in the city?”

Blair cleared her throat. “Yeah,” she lied. “It was great…very relaxing. Tisha’s great with Ethan too. He loves her.” Blair paused trying to think of an excuse to get off the phone.

“Is everything okay Blair,” Dorothy asked sincerely. “Are you alright? Is something wrong?”

Blair tried not to let her friend hear her cry. “I’m good,” she said. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “But I have to go. I promised Ethan we would play Legos. I promise I’ll get to the Playhouse to see your play. Bye.” She hung up quickly.

Dorothy didn’t know what to think. Something was wrong…it was obvious. But what? Why was Blair acting so strange? She had to find out.

Chapter 3
“I see you,” Jo Polniazcek-Bonner yelled across the playground to her five year old son Erick. He was attempting to go across the monkey bars for the umpteenth time and insisted she watch closely in case he actually made it. “Nice try honey,” she shouted in support as he made it to the second bar and let go.

“He’s never gonna make it across…is he?” her daughter Jamie asked as she watched her younger brother. “Poor kid…why won’t he let us help him?”

Jo laughed, “He’s independent…that is not a bad thing.” She smiled at her daughter. “So…what’s up with you? How are things going at Langley?”

Jamie was almost nineteen and beginning her second semester at Langley College. Jo couldn’t believe how quickly her little girl had grown up before her eyes. She was the mother of an adult woman…where had the time gone? At least she still had little Erick. He was still her baby.

“School’s good,” Jamie answered. “I have a new roommate this semester. She’s nice enough. I can’t wait until next year though. Tisha’s planning to come to Langley and she can be my roommate. I feel like I never see her anymore since I left Eastland.”

Jo nodded, “I know it’s tough,” she said as she put her arm around her daughter. “I am so proud of you though. You are doing so well.”

Jamie hugged her mom. Then she pulled away. “I’m gonna go try to help Erick,” she laughed as she watched her brother fall from the monkey bars again. Jo nodded as her cell phone rang and she reached to answer it.

“Hello,” she said with a slight chuckle as she watched Erick and Jamie at the monkey bars.

“Jo,” Dorothy’s voice was serious. “Where are you?”

Jo was startled by Dorothy’s nervous voice. “Jamie and I took Erick to the park. We figured we’d take advantage of the sunshine today…it’s not often we get a sunny January day in Peekskill,” she replied. “Why? What’s going on?”

“Something’s wrong with Blair,” Dorothy answered quickly. “Don’t ask me what…I’m not sure. But the other night Tisha watched Ethan while Blair stayed in New York to see a Broadway show.”

Jo was confused, “That doesn’t sound very suspicious to me.”

“Doesn’t she usually ask you to watch Ethan if she goes out of town…so he can play with Erick?” Dorothy asked.

“I guess so,” Jo answered. “But maybe she had a reason for asking Tisha.”

“Something is wrong…she is keeping a secret.” Dorothy insisted. “I asked her how her trip went and she was crying. She pretended like everything was fine…but I know she was crying. I could tell!” Dorothy was getting more and more anxious for Jo to believe her.

“Tootie calm down,” Jo nearly screamed into the phone. “I’ll go over to Blair’s in a little while…okay. I’ll make sure she’s okay.”

Dorothy calmed down. “Alright…and tell me if you find out anything.”

“Absolutely,” Jo assured as she ended the call.

“Mommy” a small voice yelled across the playground. “Look!” Jo looked up in time to see her son make his way across the monkey bars as Jamie cheered him on from the other end. She smiled and clapped for her little boy. He wasn’t going to be her baby for long either. Both of her kids were growing up.

[RoryGilmore]

Still excellent!! Wonder when Blairs gonna tell everyone.....

[ZeldaGilroy]

I'm glad you're still reading! Here is some more...


Chapter 4

“I’ll take Erick home,” Jamie said as the trio made their way to the parking lot. She led him to her small red car parked near her parents’ larger green sedan.

“Thanks hon,” Jo hugged her daughter. “Your dad should be home by the time you get there, but if not I’m sure he’ll be quick.” She knelt down to her son and kissed him on the cheek. “Be good for your sister…I mean it,” she said. She tousled his curly brown hair and the little boy nodded his head, but his mischievous green eyes let his mother know he planned to be his usual ornery self.

“He’ll be fine Mom,” Jamie reassured her mother. Then she buckled Erick in the car and took off.

Jo watched as Jamie and Erick drove away. Then she headed for the Little Inn. Why was Tootie so worried about Blair? Was there really something wrong? If so, why hadn’t Blair called her?

She thought back to the last time she had seen Blair. It was last week when she dropped Erick off at kindergarten. Blair had just dropped Ethan off and they chatted briefly. She had mentioned a doctor’s appointment, but she didn’t seem concerned. Jo hadn’t seen her since then. Rick had taken Erick to school the rest of the week, but he hadn’t mentioned seeing Blair. Had something happened at her appointment?

Jo pulled into a parking space. Then she entered the hotel and walked up the stairs to the suite Blair and Tad used as their home. She knocked softly on the door. There was no answer. She knocked harder. This time the knob turned and the door opened a small amount. Jo smiled when she saw Ethan’s small face peer around the door.

“Aunt Jo,” he grinned happily. “Is Erick here?”

Jo shook her head. “Not today buddy,” she replied. “He spending some time with his big sister. Maybe he can come over sometime this week.”

Ethan nodded his blond head and opened the door wider. Jo walked in.

“Where’s your mom?” she questioned. Ethan pointed in the direction of Blair’s bedroom. Something was suspiciously quiet about the place and Jo felt uneasy as she walked down the hall. She knocked on the bedroom door and heard Blair’s muffled sobs on the other side. There was no other response.

Jo looked around and saw that Ethan was watching TV oblivious to what she was doing. She slowly pushed the bedroom door open. Blair was sitting on her bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Blair?’ Jo questioned. Blair didn’t look up.

Jo walked slowly to the bed. “What is wrong?” she asked softly. Blair sat still, her head looking down without response. “Blair…” Jo reached out and touched her hand. Blair slowly looked up at her friend.

“I have breast cancer,” she said in a whisper. Then she looked down at the floor and continued to cry.

[RoryGilmore]

wow still excellent, you've got one reader hooked at least.

[ZeldaGilroy]

Thanks for your nice replies Jo/Blair Fan. I am glad I have one loyal reader. As long as you are reading, I'll continue to update!

Here's more...

Chapter 5
As she turned the corner onto her street, she could see that most of the houses were dark. She pulled into her driveway and turned off the car. How could this be true? Blair…cancer? Jo had promised herself she wouldn’t cry and she hadn’t yet. She would be brave. Blair needed her to be brave. She took a deep breath and opened the car door. Then slowly made her way into the house.

She gently turned her key in the lock and opened the door slowly. It squeaked a little…she had been meaning to fix it, but hadn’t had the time. She didn’t want the noise to wake Erick. As she entered the living room, her husband Rick rushed in from the kitchen.

“Is Erick sleeping?” she asked him in a tired whisper. “I hope the door didn’t wake him.” She was fighting back tears as she spoke.

Rick nodded. “He’s sound asleep,” he answered. “How’s Blair,” he asked anxiously. Jo had called him earlier and told him what had happened. She told him how she had found Blair crying alone in her room and that when Blair finally spoke to her she told her she had cancer. Jo had stayed with her friend half the night. She fed Ethan dinner she had ordered from the kitchen at the Little Inn and put him to bed, trying to make things as normal for the little boy as possible. Then she sat with Blair while she cried.

“She’s a wreck,” Jo answered. She felt tears well up in her throat and tried to clear them away. “God Rick…how can this be happening?”

He put his arms around her and she leaned into him. He held her close. “What is she going to do?” he asked. “What can they do…medically?”

“She hasn’t decided,” Jo answered softly. “She has some options, but she is not thinking clearly. She can’t make up her mind.” She paused, “What kind of friend am I?”

“What?” Rick asked sincerely. “You are a great friend…you were with her most of the night.”

“I don’t mean that,” Jo said softly. “It’s just that I know how to counsel people in trouble Rick. I’ve helped a lot of people…and tonight…I couldn’t help Blair. All I could think about was how awful this whole thing is.”

“Jo,” Rick replied cautiously, “you’re not her therapist. You are her friend. You’re too close to help her in that way. You just have to be there.”

Jo couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. She leaned closer to her husband. “She helped me,” she sobbed. “When we were in LA, and I was in trouble…she came across the country to help me get better. She saved our marriage Rick. It’s because of her that Jamie still has a mother. It’s because of Blair that we have little Erick…I never would have had the courage to bring another child into this world without her support…her insistence that I get help. She found Dr. Jacobson for me. Without him I could never have gotten over my anxiety…my fear and depression. I owe Blair a lot…everything.”

Rick hated to see Jo like this. It reminded him of that awful time in their lives when she had quit her job as a police officer in LA and secluded herself in their home. She had been so different then than now. Back then, Jo had been unable to cope with life. Now she was working as an elementary school counselor…a job she was made for. She was a doting mother…proud of her beautiful, opinionated daughter and her creative, independent son. Rick knew she was right about one thing. Without Blair they would not be where they were today. He hated to think about what could have been. “I know you want to help,” he said to her as he wiped her tears. “What about Dorothy and Natalie? Could they help too?”

Jo looked up at her husband. She knew he was right. She needed Dorothy and Natalie. The three of them could help Blair…just like they had helped her years before. It didn’t matter that it was late…she had phone calls to make.

[RoryGilmore]

wow...excellent as always.

[ZeldaGilroy]

Thanks for continuing to read Jo/Blair Fan. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my story. Here is some more...

Chapter 6
The cast party was in full swing even though it was nearing 3:00 AM. Dorothy and her long time boyfriend Robert were chatting with some friends when she heard her cell phone ring across the room. “Who would be calling me now?” she asked no one in particular. She saw Rita, a friend from the Peekskill Playhouse standing near her phone. “Could you answer that?” she yelled across the room attempting to be heard over the loud music.

“Hello,” Rita answered loudly. She could barely hear over the music.

Jo paused at the unfamiliar voice on the line. “Yeah…I need to talk to Tootie,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Who?” Rita questioned.

“Tootie Ramsey,” Jo repeated in a frustrated tone. Then she caught her mistake, “I mean Dorothy Ramsey.”

“Dorothy,” Rita called. “It’s some woman. She asked for Tootie,” Rita laughed and Dorothy rolled her eyes.

“It has to be Jo or Natalie,” she said to Robert. “They are the only ones who cannot remember Dorothy. Blair…Mrs. Garrett…Andy…they all remember. Natalie and Jo don’t even try.” She made her way across the crowded room and took the phone from Rita. “Hello,” she said happily.

“Tootie…it’s me,” Jo said nervously. “You were right. I went to Blair’s tonight and she was in awful shape.”

Dorothy knew something was wrong, but she had hoped it wasn’t serious. “What is it?” she asked solemnly.

Jo was crying softly and it took a second for her to find her voice. “She has breast cancer…”

Dorothy couldn’t believe her ears. She managed to tune out the noise, music, and conversation around her. All she could hear were Jo’s muffled sobs on the phone line and the words ‘breast cancer’ echoing in her brain. “What are we going do?” she asked finally.

“We need to help her. All of us need to get together and show her that we’re there for her,” Jo replied. “I’m calling Nat in a while. I hope she can get here.”

“She will,” Dorothy answered knowingly. “When are you heading over to Blair’s again?”

“In a little while,” Jo answered. “I don’t want her alone with Ethan. She can’t take care of him now and Tad won’t be back for a few days. I’m gonna head over there and at least get him off to school. Then maybe I can talk to Blair…help her somehow.”

“I’ll meet you there.” Dorothy said softly.

Jo breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks,” she replied.

Chapter 7
Natalie Green sat alone in her Washington DC apartment. It was the middle of the night, but she couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes her mind was full of the death and destruction she had just witnessed in the Middle East. She had been on assignment in the war-torn region for over a month. She had been there many times when she and Harper had been together, but now it was too hard. He was gone. She was alone…and she didn’t have the passion for that kind of assignment anymore.

As she mindlessly flipped through the channels she thought about Harper. He meant so much to her. She could hardly believe he was gone. She thought back to the day it had happened. They had just returned from an assignment in Europe and they wanted to enjoy some peace and quiet. Harper had surprised her with a trip to Florida. They spent the day swimming and enjoying the sights. That night they stayed in and ordered a delicious dinner. Harper had been complaining of a headache, so they decided to turn in early. The next morning when Natalie awoke Harper was lying perfectly still beside her. She reached over to touch him and knew something was wrong. He was so cold. He wasn’t breathing. Hearing Natalie’s panicked scream…the hotel manager let himself into the room and called 911. Natalie clung to her husband until the paramedics took him away, but there was nothing anyone could do. Harper was gone. It was determined he had died of an aneurysm to the brain. It was instant…he probably felt nothing.

Natalie clicked off the TV. Why did she do this to herself? Why relive the horrible event over and over? She was heading to bed when she heard the phone. She picked it up and was surprised by the caller ID. Why was Jo calling her at 3:30 AM? She felt nervous as she answered it.

“Hello,” she said anxiously.

“Nat,” Jo sounded worn. “I’m so sorry to call so late…”

Natalie interrupted, “That’s okay,” she replied. “What’s wrong? You sound like hell.”

“I need you to come to Peekskill,” Jo pleaded. “It’s Blair. She needs us…all of us.” Jo paused solemnly. “She has breast cancer.”

Natalie held the phone to her ear, but she remained silent. She didn’t know what to say. She felt so confused…scared for her friend, worried, angry. Why was this happening? Tootie had lost Jeff to a heart attack, she had lost Harper to an aneurysm, and now they might all lose Blair to cancer. Whatever happened to Happily Ever After? It wasn’t supposed to be like this. How could life be so cruel?

“Nat,” Jo questioned. “Did you hear me? We need you here.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow,” Natalie said softly. As she ended the call she realized life would never be the same.

[RoryGilmore]

still completely excellent, hope they can help Blair.


So I went back and reread Living the Facts of Life 1 & 2 over the week while I was sitting in classes bored outta my mind and I just gotta say without bumping them up that they are two of my favorite fan fics I've read on here, and I'n not just saying that I mean it.

[ZeldaGilroy]

Originally Posted by Jo/Blair Fan

So I went back and reread Living the Facts of Life 1 & 2 over the week while I was sitting in classes bored outta my mind and I just gotta say without bumping them up that they are two of my favorite fan fics I've read on here, and I'n not just saying that I mean it.

That is so nice of you to say. I was really proud of those stories. Part 1 was the first fanfic I ever wrote. I spent a long time on it...writing and rewriting. I posted it all in one post after I finished it. The rest of my fics I've posted in parts, which is more fun because I can add things the readers want and ask for advice.

Anyway...I just wanted to thank you for your nice compliments and for always replying to my story when I update. I appreciate it! I'll post more on this story later tonight.

[ZeldaGilroy]

Chapter 8
The previous day’s sunshine was replaced with drizzle the following morning. As Jo made her way to the Little Inn she could barely see through the fog forming on her windows. After not sleeping the night before, she had rushed around that morning, making Erick’s oatmeal and getting his clothes ready for school. Rick was going to drop him off at school later and Jo hated not being there for him in the morning, but she knew Blair and Ethan needed her more than Erick right now.

She pulled into a parking space at the inn and yawned as she turned off the ignition. Then she opened the car door and quickly made her way into the inn trying to escape the drizzle.

As she entered the front lobby, the new desk clerk looked up cheerfully. “Welcome to the Little Inn,” she said in her chipper voice. “How may we help you today?”

“I’m just going up to see Blair Warner,” Jo said matter-of-factly as she turned toward the stairs.

“I’m sorry,” the girl said with a smile as she rushed around the desk and grabbed Jo’s arm. “I can’t let you do that. Mrs. Warner-Warner is not taking visitors. She left me direct orders.”

Jo shook the moisture from her hair and looked at the young girl. She was probably no older than Jamie. She was in a hurry and frustrated by this girl’s perkiness as she tried to assert her authority, but thinking of her own daughter she decided not to let her frustration show. The girl was just trying to follow Blair’s orders.

Jo pulled her arm away from the girl’s grab. “I’m Blair’s friend,” she said calmly. “She will want to see me.”

The girl looked unsure. Jo was becoming more irritated. After everything that had happened the night before, she really didn’t have the patience for this. “Look,” she said sternly. “I am her friend. I was here most of last night. She’s expecting me. I told her I’d take her son to school this morning. Now if you don’t let me upstairs, you’ll have to explain to Mrs. Warner when her son is late for school.”

The girl was obviously taken aback by Jo’s abruptness. She didn’t know what to do. “Uhm…Mrs. Warner-Warner isn’t in her room,” she said cautiously.

“Where is she?” Jo asked nervously.

“She left early this morning,” the girl said. “And she took the little boy with her.”

Jo couldn’t believe her ears. What was Blair thinking? “Did she say where she was going?” she asked hopefully.

The girl shrugged. “I don’t think she was thinking clearly. She was upset about something, but I don’t know what. I thought maybe I should call Mr. Warner, but I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I need this job.”

Jo paced nervously back and forth in front of the front desk. She knew Blair was trying to escape her fear and pain, but where would she have gone? “She didn’t say where she was going?” she asked again.

The girl answered gently, “She said she was going home.”

[RoryGilmore]

Still great...going home....you've got me curious now.

[ZeldaGilroy]

Originally Posted by Jo/Blair Fan

Still great...going home....you've got me curious now.

Since you're curious...I'll go ahead and post the next part.

Chapter 9
Jo sat in her car, her head leaning against the steering wheel. She didn’t know what to do. Blair was out there…somewhere. She was sick and she needed help. Where would she have gone? What did she mean by “going home?”

Jo closed her eyes. Her lack of sleep and abundance of stress was making itself known. She took some deep breaths and tried to relax, but it was pointless. Suddenly she was startled by a tap on the passenger side window. She lifted her head and saw Dorothy looking in through the window.

“Open up,” Dorothy’s voice echoed through the glass. “Do you know what this weather is doing to my hair? I have a performance tonight.”

Jo unlocked the door and Dorothy slid onto the passenger seat next to her. “I forgot you were meeting me here this morning,” Jo said honestly.

“You look terrible,” Dorothy said concerned. “Did you get any sleep last night?”

Jo shook her head. “Don’t worry about me Tootie. We’ve got bigger problems…much bigger.”

“Dorothy nodded knowingly. “I know…” she began.

“You don’t know,” Jo interrupted. “Things just got worse. Blair is missing.”

Dorothy looked shocked. “What?” she asked. “How?...When?”

Jo shook her head, “I don’t know exactly. When I got here this morning the desk clerk told me Blair left early this morning with Ethan. She said Blair seemed like she wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“Oh God,” Dorothy mumbled. “Where could she have gone?”

“The girl inside said Blair told her she was going home. But where the hell is home?” Jo asked frustrated.

Dorothy shook her head. “I don’t know. Did she go to her mom’s apartment in New York or maybe to see her Dad?”

“She didn’t want to tell them about the cancer,” Jo replied. “She knew how scared they be…especially her mom after her own battle with the disease.”

“Maybe she changed her mind,” Dorothy said hopefully.

“I don’t think so,” Jo answered. Then an idea came to her. “Tootie,” she shouted. “If you had a serious problem and you wanted to go home so you could be comforted…where would you go?”

“To my house…to be with Robert and Tisha,” Dorothy answered.

“What if they couldn’t know about the problem…you had to keep it from them. Who would you go to?” Jo smiled at her friend.

“Of course,” Tootie smiled as the realization came to her. “Mrs. Garrett!”