Author's Note: Every now and then, I'll have late night weird story ideas pop into my head. This is one of those times. Just a one-shot of Jess going through fatherhood. Don't ask why.

Jess Mariano stared through the glass at the tiny bundle squirming around in the hospital bassinet. He couldn't believe a part of him was in that little form. He barely remembered the mother, being someone he met on a bad night as a one night stand. He wasn't proud of the moment either. Everyone screwed up, now and then, right? It was a surprise, though, that she remembered him. Then again, she also remembered some other guy as well and both had to submit to a blood test to see which one was the father. Jess wasn't expecting the doctor to call his name, but when she did, Jess could barely breathe.

The doctor asked what options Jess wanted to do. The mother didn't survive child birth so the kid was motherless. They told her beforehand there was a possibility so it wasn't sudden. So she gave them the names of the possible suspects who could be the father. Jess was one of them, though he didn't believe it at first. He came anyway just to humor them. When Jess heard he was the kid's father, he just about passed out. Now there he was, standing before his baby girl. His baby girl.

The name on the name tag was left blank. The mother forgot to inform anyone so the task was up to him. He never even owned a pet. Now he had to name a tiny human?

Jess tilted his head as the infant continued to squirm the way newborns do.

Another option the doctor informed him about was adoption. Jess considered it. He thought that was the best idea. But for some odd reason, both his head and his heart scolded him in thinking something like that. He grew up not knowing his father until he was eighteen when the guy suddenly showed up. Not even Jess Mariano could go through not letting his own kid get to know him.

Jess thought long and hard a good name for this kid. What did she look like? To him, she looked weird. But it was rare when the guy was around babies, and pretty sure he'd never been around a newborn. He never saw his little half sister as a newborn.

What do you call a little kid? He continued to question in his head. A bunch of names came to mind, listing them off silently to himself. Sally, Mary, Greta, Daisy, Katrina. The newly young single father scrunched up his face in confusion.

Eventually, the nurse working in the nursery, came in, checking on the kiddos. She stopped at his and smiled at him through the glass. Assuming she belonged to him, the nurse picked the little one up, carefully cradling the newborn in her arms, and made her way through the door, walking over to where Jess was standing.

"My guess is this little beauty is yours?"

Jess couldn't help squirm, unable to make eye contact. With the nurse anyway. Now receiving a close up, he could see the tiny bundle was the most beautiful sight he had ever laid eyes on. "Uh, yeah. I guess so." He showed the nurse an ID just to be on the safe side. Yup. His name matched what was on the ID bracelet around her ankle.

"Would you like to hold her?"

His eyes widened at being asked that. "Uh...I never held one before."

"It's real simple. Just hold your arms out…" The nurse showed him how to hold a baby, making sure he was supporting her head. By the time she was in his arms, her head supported by his arm, Jess was pale and nervous. "Relax, Dad. You're doing just fine."

Jess tried to relax. Really. But this was new territory for the guy. His anxiety rose when after five minutes, the nurse went back inside the nursery. Thankfully, she returned shortly after, holding a bottle of formula.

"Would you like to do the honors?" she extended the bottle out towards him.

Jess didn't move. Not at first. He was afraid to move an inch. She looked so fragile. The nurse must have sensed his nervousness and helped situate her where he could hold her in one arm. Shakily, Jess took the bottle and held it close to her tiny lips.

Since being handed to him, she had already been staring up at him with curious big brown eyes. It was too soon to tell who she looked like, if she looked like him or not. But it didn't matter. To him, she was beautiful. In fact, it reminded him of a name he had come across in a book he read at some point and it seemed like the perfect match. Callie. Callie Mariano. Yeah. He liked the sound of that.

"Hey, Callie," he heard himself say out loud as Callie drank down the formula.

The nurse smiled at that. "Callie sounds like a lovely name for a beautiful little girl."

Jess nearly jumped out of his skin, forgetting for a moment that he wasn't alone. He was glad he didn't jump enough to drop the precious cargo he was holding. Unexpectedly, he couldn't help smile and returned his gaze towards Callie, who was still eating. "That's why I picked it."

Eventually, Jess was able to leave the hospital, bringing Callie along. The same nurse showed him how to hook a car seat into the backseat of his car. While he drove, nobody that knew him well would be able to recognize him driving. For once, Jess Mariano obeyed all traffic laws and barely went over the speed limit. He wasn't driving slow but it wasn't his normal fast speed.

He knew he needed help if he was gonna do this. Driving all the way to Stars Hollow, Jess pulled up in front of his uncle's diner, parking behind the familiar green truck. Getting out, Jess shut his door and opened the one to the back seat, to unhook the carrier, heading inside before someone that knew him, spotted them.

Thankfully, the place wasn't that packed and spotted his uncle standing behind the counter. Heading over there, he said, "Hey."

Luke looked up, a surprised look appearing on his face. "Jess. What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you. Can we go somewhere private?"

"Uh, sure. You need money or something?"

He shook his head. "No. Just…" Jess took a deep breath, letting it out. "I need some advice."

"Advice?"

Jess was holding the baby carrier in one hand where the counter hid it from his uncle's view, so Luke couldn't see her. Yet. "Please? It's kind of important."

"Yeah, sure." Luke turned to head for upstairs, letting Caesar know. Jess followed his uncle upstairs. It was when they reached upstairs and Luke turned to let Jess in first, was when he finally noticed the tiny form sleeping soundly in the carrier. "Jess, what is that?"

Jess looked down at Callie. "Uh, pretty sure it's a baby," he told his uncle.

"I know what it is. I mean, where did it come from?"

Jess pretended to ponder on that. "Well, when a mom and dad get together, they…"

Luke held up a hand to stop him right there. "Ha ha. Very funny, smartass," he told his nephew.

He smirked and shrugged. "You asked."

Luke rolled his eyes. "Seriously, though. Why do you have a baby?"

Jess glanced away. A coo from Callie alerted his attention. She didn't wake up though.

"Jess." His uncle's tone was firm but gentle.

Jess forced himself to look the guy in the eye. "She's mine."

That made Luke's jaw drop open. In fact, he couldn't even speak. "Wha…?" was all Luke managed to say.

"She's mine," he repeated.

Luke lowered his head, staring straight at him. "Yours."

"Yep."

"Yours."

"Same DNA. Even same blood type. Not that has anything to do with being mine," he quickly added.

"Yours."

"Yes, we already established she's mine." Jess was getting annoyed by now.

"Yours?" Luke tilted his head, slightly.

Jess let out an annoyed groan. "Yes, how many times must I say it?"

"I'm sorry. I just… I'm finding it hard, picturing you with a kid," he finally said, his hands on his sides, now. "So what are you gonna do with her?"

"I'm keeping her."

The surprised look returned. "Excuse me?" He could barely believe what he heard.

"Callie's mine so I'm keeping her," Jess explained further.

"Callie?"

"That's what I named her."

"That's...That's a beautiful name, Jess," Luke told him. "Just one question. Why? I mean, I think it's great you're owning up to being her father and making the right choice. It's just...I never took you as the fatherly type."

He shrugged. "Neither did I. But she's here. I can't just abandon her and let her grow up, not knowing who I am. I'm not a coward like mine was." Jess couldn't help see Luke smiling. "What?" he demanded of his uncle.

Luke quickly shook his head. "Nothing." The smile vanished which he asked, "So why did you come here?"

"Well, I figured, I have no idea what I'm doing. So, I figured I'd move back here and was wondering, and I'd pay you rent, if you let me use the apartment." Jess nodded inside the small apartment that used to be his grandfather's office. "I mean, you're technically not using it anymore...right?"

Luke stared into the apartment, as well. He looked back to ask, "What about work? You're not gonna be able to continue working there if you move back here."

Jess nodded. "I know. But starting this fatherhood thing out alone freaks me out way more. I'll figure something out. I'll even help you out," he motioned his head towards the stairs, "until I find something better."

"Well, you don't have to worry about rent. At least not right now." Luke looked over at the tiny sleeping form. Switching back to his nephew, he couldn't help fill with proudness. "I'm proud of you, Jess."

"Thanks," he replied.

Luke playfully slapped a hand to his shoulder.

Four years later:

"Callie! Let's go! You're gonna be late on your first day." Jess hurriedly packed his daughter's lunch. It was her first day starting preschool.

The last four years was nothing compared to what Jess had expected it to be. The first year included many, many, many nights of having to wake up, several times to feed and/or change her, and try to get Callie to go back to sleep. Sometimes, he found himself having to call Luke, especially the first time Callie got sick, bringing Lorelai along too. He was overly freaked out by the time Luke finally woke up and came on the phone.

He never thought he would be doing any of this stuff. Changing diapers was the worse part, up there with spit ups. The amount of laundry that had to be done, stunned him, as well. On top of that, Jess juggled time in the diner and looking for other work, along with taking care of Callie. When his mother found out she was a grandmother, Liz was very pleased. Surprised like her brother, but pleased, nonetheless. She offered to help him out, by babysitting for him. Jess was skeptical about it, though, remembering how it was while he was growing up with her. Doula assured she would help their mom take good care of Callie, and be a very good aunt. With encouragement from Luke, Jess finally agreed to let Liz watch her granddaughter.

However, for the first week being separated, Callie cried constantly, missing Jess. It made things harder to continue to let his mom, babysit. Liz assured him, it'll get better and after a week or so, it did. Though, it caused him to miss seeing her take her first steps. Thankfully, TJ taped it and showed it to him. Jess couldn't help feel a little pride build up inside of him. Callie did say her first word while he was giving her a bath.

"Duh-da." It caught him off guard to hear her say something that resembled English...sort of.

"Did you just…?" Jess stared directly at her. "Say it again. Come on. Say it again." It took a few tries but she repeated herself. If he didn't know better, he'd sworn Callie was calling him, daddy. If so, a warm feeling washed over him, that frankly, freaked him out a little.

One thing Jess did know well was reading to Callie, every day and every night. To the point, she was speaking simple, full sentences by the age of two and reading simple little kid books on her own by age three. By the time Callie turned four, Jess knew she was ready to start school. But he wasn't.

Though, Jess wouldn't admit it, he hated the fact she was growing up so fast. Don't get him wrong, he was glad to be passed the diaper phase and not having to get up, several times a night. He still got woken up whenever Callie had a nightmare and needed a comforting hug. Jess had laid down the law that he wouldn't be that parent who let their kid climb into bed with him. Callie had to learn to sleep on her own. Well, that did not last long. Somehow, he found himself sharing the big people's bed, as Callie calls it, with a munchkin and a stuffed black and white tiger Liz had brought back from one of her fairs she worked at, for Callie.

Callie hurried over from her side of the small apartment, dressed and ready for school, wearing a yellow tank shirt with Alvin and the Chipmunks from their live action movie with the words Rock it!, and blue shorts with three orange stripes going down the sides. She climbed onto one of the chairs, standing up on her legs.

"Ready, Daddy."

Jess quickly moved over from the counter, taking the box of Frosted Flakes over to pour in her bowl that had a straw attached to the side. Wanting to pour it herself, he passed it to her, overseeing while she poured the cereal. Jess poured the milk, though, not wanting there to be a spill since it was still barely a new one.

While she ate, Jess zipped her Chipmunks lunchbox closed and placed it inside her matching backpack. As he was zipping her backpack closed, Jess noticed Callie had stopped eating and was just staring at it.

"What's wrong, Cal?" he asked.

She didn't answer. Not even a glance.

Moving over there, Jess kneeled beside her chair. That's when he noticed she had tears in her eyes. "Hey. What's wrong?"

"Wha...what if n-nobody likes me?" she finally managed to get the words out.

"Then they're stupid. You're a great kid, Callie, and if no one can see that, then that's on them."

Callie chewed on her lip while still staring at her cereal that was now starting to get soggy.

"Someone will, though. You can't think like that. Think positive, okay?" Jess rubbed a comforting hand on her knee before giving it a firm but gentle squeeze. Callie finally looked up at him which he smiled for her. Callie returned it. He then told her to finish eating before they finished getting ready for her first day.

Downstairs, Callie ran over, grabbing onto Luke's leg.

"Good morning, Uncle Luke," she greeted, looking up at him.

"Good morning, sweetie," he returned.

"It's my first day of preschool."

He smiled, holding a hand around the back of her head where she was still holding onto him. "I know. Are you ready?"

"I think so."

Luke chuckled and bent over to kiss the top of her head.

"Alright, short stuff. Tell Uncle Luke, good-bye so we can go," Jess told her.

"Bye, Uncle Luke," she told him, sadly.

"See ya later, kiddo. I want to hear all about your first day, later when you get home."

"Okay."

After exchanging I love yous, Jess led his daughter from the diner and headed for the school where he walked her to her class. As they neared the classroom, Callie suddenly clung to her dad's leg, sidestepping behind it when they entered the classroom. When the teacher approached them, she hid her face too.

"Hi, I'm Miss Charity," the teacher introduced, holding her hand out for Jess to shake.

"Jess Mariano," he returned the gesture. "And this is Callie Mariano."

Miss Charity smiled, warmly. She tried to peek around at Callie. "It's nice to meet you, Callie."

Callie peeked out, shyly looking over at her teacher.

"I know it's scary but we're gonna have lots of fun, I promise." That didn't bring the kid out from behind her dad. In fact, she clung even tighter to his leg. Both Jess and Miss Charity tried to persuade her to go meet the other kids but Callie refused.

"You know maybe I started too soon," Jess finally said. "Maybe we should wait another year."

"Now, don't you worry, this will only last a week or two," she assured him. "One day, soon, you'll drop her off and she won't even know you're gone."

A tight knot got caught in his chest upon hearing that. He looked back, behind him at his little girl. Now that she was older, Callie looked so much like him, from her eyes to her nose, and even her hair, that grew to her neck.

Finally, Miss Charity broke into his thoughts. Class would be starting soon. Taking a step towards them, she reached out and peeled Callie off of him and told Jess to go, otherwise, he'd make it even harder. However, Jess insisted on letting Callie hug and kiss him, good-bye, returning both of them. It took all he had to stand to his feet and leave the classroom.

Jess snuck a peek through the window, watching Callie in case she needed him. Miss Charity tried to guide her over to play with the other kids who were playing with some toys. Of course, not only did she look like him, Callie was just like him, too. She watched them for a good ten minutes before going over and picking out a few good books, taking them over to a beanbag chair where she slumped down to read them.

Even though he let out a slight chuckle, Jess couldn't help feel badly, Callie couldn't open up to the other kids. His heart suddenly began to race when another kid wandered over and grabbed the book out of her hand. Callie tried to jump up to grab it back, but the kid held it out of her reach and shoved her to the floor. Jess was about to storm in there, knowing she was starting to tear up. He stopped when he saw her get back up and shove the kid right back.

"Alright, way to go, short stuff," he said, softly, under his breath. "Just like I taught ya."

However, the kid wasn't going down that easy, and pushed right back. That was when Callie put more into it, and shoved the kid, backwards. Now, mad, the kid also put more into it, causing Callie to stumble backwards, landing on the beanbag. Jess was silently cheering her on. Laying there, glaring up at the kid, who laughed as he towered over her, Callie gave a mighty kick, right into a very sensitive area. The kid keeled over, holding it as he cried out.

Jess smiled, proudly. Hey, the kid started it, and knew he'd be okay. That'll teach him from messing with his girl. Of course, Callie was the one to get busted and was sent to time-out since the teacher never saw the events that led up to the kid being kicked. Jess had to fight the urge to go in there and tell the teacher the kid should receive the same punishment, but that would give away that he was still there, and Jess wasn't sure if he was allowed to be there or not. Instead, he ignored her bringing ice to the kid, basically cuddling him while his own kid sat over in the corner.

Once she was able to leave, Callie had to go apologize. At first, she stood there, pulling on her shirt, keeping her gaze to the floor. Finally, after pushing her to, Callie muttered something Jess presumed to be an apologize, but didn't object when the kid didn't apologize. However, for the next hour, he made sure to stay clear of Callie, seeming like he was afraid or something. Knowing Callie could handle herself, Jess peeled himself away, heading back to the diner.

"What took ya so long?" Luke asked when Jess returned.

"Had to make sure Short Stuff would be okay," was all he said. When it was time to go pick her up, Jess let Luke know he needed to leave. He hurried back to the school, hoping there wasn't anymore trouble.

The moment she saw her dad, Callie ran to him, who scooped her up.

"You have a good day, Cal?"

"Dylan was mean," she told him. "But when I kicked him in the you-know-where, I got sent to time-out and not him."

Jess pretended to sound surprised, like he hadn't been there. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. But did it make him leave ya alone?"

Callie nodded, her lower lip sticking out.

"I'm sorry a kid was a jerk to you on your first day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better."

"Do I have to go back?" she gave him a pitiful look.

"Unfortunately, you do, short stuff. I'm sorry." She moaned at that. "Tell ya what. How about we go to the diner and convince Uncle Luke to fix ya a bowl of ice cream. How about that? That make your day better?"

A smile snuck on her face and Callie nodded.

Placing a hand to the back of her head, Jess reached over to kiss her cheek. Turning around, Jess then headed for the diner. Callie wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. Truthfully, though, he would never admit it, Jess never wanted this phase to end.