A/N: Based around the song "Ghost" by Eastmountainsouth.

To read the original version with song lyrics go to: bitter-solemnity. com /fics /IUTKY.php (just get rid of the spaces).

Back to present

Chris woke up, and went to snuggle Stephanie beside him, except Stephanie wasn't there. It took him a moment to realize that she would never be there again. The sadness washed over him, just like it did every morning when he realized the love of his life was gone forever.

The pain was overwhelming and he never thought that it would get any better. He remembered a saying he had heard once, "It hurts, and it hurts, and it hurts, and then one day, you wake up, and it just doesn't hurt in the same way anymore." Now he just had to wait for that day to come, but he didn't think it would be anytime soon.

At least he had Regan though. He knew that if he didn't have her to live for that he would not be alive right now. He wouldn't have had anything to live for, not without Stephanie. But Regan gave him hope that someday, somehow, he might be able to get over the pain he felt every day. Slowly, but surely, he would heal.

He heard the high-pitched warbling of his daughter over the intercom, and he got out of bed to go retrieve her. Before he left the room, he took one last look at his bed, particularly the empty left side of it. Where she should've been. He sighed and left the room.

He reached his daughter's room, and saw her amusing herself in her crib. He picked her up and brought her downstairs to start another day. Sometimes the days seemed endless to him, but he made it through, somehow. He put his daughter in her high chair, and proceeded to make her breakfast.

He smiled as she played with various things on her high chair table. She was really the only reason he smiled anymore. She was the light of his life, the only thing that he had left to breathe for. And so he got up every day for her.

He knew everyone was worried about him. He didn't blame them really, if he were on the outside looking in at his life then he would be worried too. His mother had offered to come down and help him take care of Regan, but he had declined, opting to just take care of her himself. He knew that people were worried about him not sleeping or eating, but he was indeed doing both. He had a daughter to live for.

He hadn't gone back to work yet, even though he was seriously considering going back very soon. He needed something to do, being dormant wasn't his style. And if he got back in the ring, he would be able to vent his frustrations, and his anger that he felt for the world. He knew that he had to go talk to Vince about this.

Vince and Linda had taken the news hard. They made sure to come over once a week just to see Regan because she reminded them so much of Stephanie. They also made sure that Chris was doing ok, and that he could talk to someone who wasn't an infant. They all needed each other right now, and Chris was glad he was a part of such a good family.

He hadn't known what to do with Stephanie's belongings though. Everything that she had was still right where she left it. He couldn't bear to go into her closet, and see all her clothes. It would just remind him too much of her. He could still smell the faint smell of the perfume that she wore. It comforted him somewhat. The shopping list that she had written before she left still hung on the refrigerator door. It was all just the way she had left it, as if everything was just waiting for her return. A return that would never come.

A few days later

Chris walked into Titan Towers with Regan in tow. He had requested an appointment with Vince for today. He wanted to discuss his return, and when he wanted to come back. He received a few sympathetic stares, but he ignored them, not wanting anyone's pity.

He walked up to Vince's office, and his secretary told him to come inside. Chris walked in and saw Vince sitting at his large desk. Vince smiled when he saw the two of them, and went over to take Regan from Chris.

"Hey, there's my beautiful granddaughter," Vince said, holding Regan in his arms. He turned to Chris, "How are the two of you?"

"We're as good as can be expected," Chris replied.

"That's good to know. So what did you come here to discuss?"

"I want to come back Vince," Chris said bluntly.

"What do you mean?"

"I want to go back on the road."

"But Chris, you don't have to, we don't need you right now. You should just stay at home and take it easy. I know this has been difficult for you, and I don't want you to have to burden yourself with wrestling."

"Vince, I can't sit at home anymore. I'm surrounded by Stephanie, and I just," he paused, tears forming in his eyes, "I just can't stay there anymore. I want to be on the road again."

"I understand where you're coming from...but what about Regan?"

"She can come with me."

"Are you sure you're ok with traveling around with an infant. You can always have Linda or your mother take care of her while you're on the road."

"I'm not leaving my daughter Vince," Chris said with an edge in his voice. Vince looked into his eyes and understood. Regan was all he had.

"Ok, as long as you're up to it," Vince said giving in, "When do you want to come back?"

"As soon as possible."

Two weeks later

Chris stepped into the ring, his first match back since Stephanie had passed away. It felt good to be returning to his normal way of life. He felt like he was finally getting his life back to where it was before. He knew it would never be completely the same, not without Stephanie, but he was glad for the normalcy that he could achieve.

After the match, he walked backstage, and went to the dressing room he was sharing with Kurt Angle. Kurt was watching Regan for him, and when he walked into the room, he caught Kurt singing to the little girl. Chris cleared his throat, and Kurt looked up embarrassed. Chris laughed at him, and he realized that was the first time he had laughed for a long time.

"I think that's the first time I've laughed in a long while," Chris told him, toweling himself off.

"I'm glad I could help," Kurt said laughing too.

"It's actually really good to be back," Chris said, going over to pick up Regan.

"That was a great match out there."

"Thanks, it's good to know that I've still got that going for me."

"So how've you been otherwise?" Kurt said concerned for his friend.

"Considering the situation I've found myself in, I'd say pretty good. Regan and I are coping."

"That's good to hear, we've all been worried about you."

"Well, as long as I have her," Chris said kissing Regan's chubby cheek, "I'll be fine."

"Good to know," Kurt said before getting up, "I have to go film a promo, but I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, bye Kurt."

He sat down on the couch and got Regan's bottle from the diaper bag. He fed her while watching the rest of the show. It really did feel good to be back. The only time he had been back since Stephanie's passing had been for a tribute show to her. He was glad to be back on the road, even if it was just Regan and him this time. He looked down at her, as she drank from her bottle.

"I guess it's just you and me kid."