Jess Mariano had settled into a quiet life in Philadelphia, far from the chaos of Stars Hollow. His bookstore was doing well, and he found solace in the routine of running it. One rainy afternoon, as he was organizing a new shipment of books, the bell above the door jingled, announcing a customer.

Jess looked up and froze. A girl, around sixteen or seventeen, stood in the doorway. She had dark hair, intelligent eyes, and a familiar expression that sent a shock of recognition through him.

"Can I help you?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

The girl shifted nervously, clutching a worn piece of paper in her hand. "I'm looking for Jess Mariano."

"That's me," Jess replied, his heart pounding. "Who are you?"

She took a deep breath, then handed him the paper. "My name is {{user}}. I think... I think you're my dad."