Rory stirred in her hospital bed, slowly waking up and becoming aware of reality. It had been a long, exhausting 27 hours of labor, but their two little girls were finally here, healthy and more beautiful than she ever could have imagined. She turned her head at the sudden soft talking and reveled in intruding on the sweet moment. Tristan was in the rocker with little Sophie Abigail and Lorelai Emilia, or Emmie, in his arms.

"Your mommy is the most amazing woman I've ever met, and I hope with everything that you two are just like her. You're both going to have more love in your lives than any other kids I've ever known. You have grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who will all want to spoil you rotten, but your mom and I...we'll always love you, no matter what. I didn't always know that about my parents - that they would love me even when I messed up - so I want to make sure that you know it every day. Your mom is the one who taught me how to love so many years ago. I may not know a lot about being a dad yet, but I do know how to love your mommy, and I'll learn the rest as I go. I promise that I'll do everything in my power to take care of and protect you two," Tristan trailed off. He sat there silently rocking their two little bundles of joy for a few minutes longer before Rory broke the silence this time.

"You are going to be the best dad," she reassured Tristan quietly. "You already love both of our girls like crazy, and they'll always know that."

Tristan smiled and stood and walked over to his wife's hospital bed. He sat down next to her and slid Emmie into her arms.

"I love all three of my girls like crazy," he emphasized. "I always will."

"I love you, Tris," Rory whispered as she laid her head down on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "Forever."