Chris and Sherry reached the hospital in record time. Chris was waiting in the ICU area when Rory emerged. Lorelai had briefed Chris on all updates moments before. Rory had now hit her meltdown time, and collapsed into his arms. "Dad," she sobbed, "I'm so glad you're he--re." she hiccuped. "I'm totally responsible. If Jess doesn't wake up, it's all my fault."

"Rory," he soothed, "it's not your fault. He fell, right? You didn't control it."

"But I kissed him, and then, Dean...oh." she stopped. "Where's Dean?"

"Your mom said that the police arrested him. He's in jail in Stars Hollow."

"Okay." Rory breathed. She closed her eyes and relaxed against Chris. Then her focus came to Sherry.

"Hi." Sherry said quietly. She offered a hug to Rory, which Rory accepted.

"Thanks for coming." Rory whispered.

"It's no trouble at all."

"Dad?" Rory left Sherry's side and returned to where Chris stood. She had just remembered something.

"What?" he asked. She drew him out of Sherry's earshot.

"I thought you and Sherry were over."

"We were." he winced.

"And that you and mom were getting your act together."

"We were." he repeated.

"So...." Rory trailed off, prompting Chris to answer her.

"Sherry called me while I was at Sookie's wedding." Chris admitted. "And she told me that I had to come back to Boston, because she's pregnant."

"What?" Rory almost exploded.

"She's going to have a baby. Mine." Chris said.

"So you're going back to her?"

"Yes." Chris nodded. "I am."

"Why?"

"I don't want to miss out on everything I missed with you. I want to see the first steps, the first scraped knee, the first day of school, the first crush, the first lost tooth, and so much more. I want to be there for the first fifteen years, not just for the next fifteen."

"Oh." Rory felt very small. She had never understood how Chris felt about missing the first fifteen years of her life.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you. I didn't see you get your first A, I didn't teach you how to drive--"

"Mom wouldn't have let you." Rory interjected, and the first hint of a smile crossed her face as Chris grinned.

"No, and that's probably for the best." Chris laughed. "I'm just..." he grew serious again. "I'm sorry I missed out, but you're stuck with me, okay? I can still be your dad, and I will be. I just have to be a dad to both my kids, okay?"

"Okay." Rory nodded.

"Do you forgive me for going back to Sherry?"

"Yes." Rory nodded.

"And you'll be nice to her?"

"Absolutely."

"Thanks." Chris sighed in relief.

"Will you stay here with Mom and Luke? I have to go do something."

"Sure." Chris nodded, and Rory was off.