Chris woke up the next morning, and smiled to himself as he realized who
was sleeping just down the hallway from him. Stephanie was back where she
belonged, at home with him and Regan. They could finally be a family
again. Even if Stephanie had no memory, they were still a family.
Chris got up and went to Regan's room to wake her up. They had to make an early start this morning, because they had a flight to catch to go to the next show. They had all decided yesterday that Stephanie would come with them, and they would announce her presence before the show tomorrow.
He opened the door, and found the bed empty. That was odd, usually Regan would stay in bed, or in her room waiting for him to come and wake her up to make breakfast. He didn't want to start panicking, but he didn't like the idea of Regan wandering around the house alone. He started walking towards Stephanie's room, when he heard the sound of laughter coming from downstairs.
Chris went down the stairs, and followed the laughter into the kitchen. He found Regan sitting at the kitchen table, eating a stack of pancakes, and Stephanie standing over the stove, apparently making eggs.
"Chris, good morning," Stephanie said as she spotted him.
"Mornin Daddy," Regan said, between bites.
"Morning, you made breakfast?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, I hope you don't mind, I got up early, and just had the urge to make breakfast."
"Wow, of course I don't mind."
"Sit down, and I'll serve you."
"Mama made pancakes," Regan said as he sat down.
"Mama?"
"I hope it's ok that I told her she can call me that?"
"Yeah, sure, of course it is," Chris said, still shocked by Stephanie making breakfast and doing all this other stuff for them, "You're her mother."
"Here's your breakfast," she said, setting a plate down in front of him.
"This is great," Chris said, digging in.
"Did I ever make breakfast before?"
"Um, no, you were a pretty bad cook," Chris said sheepishly.
"Oh, well, luckily I improved in that department, huh?" she said laughing.
"Yeah," Chris said dumbly.
"So what's the plan for today?"
"We have to fly to Detroit for the show tomorrow, and that's about it for today."
"Great, sounds like fun."
"Yeah, fun," Regan echoed, smiling, a mouth full of food. Chris laughed at her.
"Why don't you sit down and join us?" Chris told Stephanie.
"Oh, let me just finish this up," she said.
"Ok. How did you sleep last night?"
"I slept well, thank you. So what time are we leaving?" she said, as she too sat down at the table.
"2:00, and we have to keep you secret until tomorrow."
"Sounds like some sort of undercover mission," she said laughing.
"I guess it does," Chris said smiling at her.
******************
They got to their hotel room after their flight into Detroit, and Stephanie collapsed on the bed as soon as she walked in. Chris looked at her and laughed as she lay sprawled on the bed. She opened her eyes and looked up at him.
"What?"
"Tired?"
"It's been a long day, I'm not used to flying so much."
"You get used to it after a while, and you better be prepared for tomorrow, that's when everyone finds out."
"I know. I'm kind of nervous."
"Don't be, it'll be fine."
"Daddy, where toys?" Regan asked as she looked around the room. Chris brought out a bag, and opened it to reveal all of Regan's toys that she brought with her. Most of them being wrestling action figures.
"Mama, play," Regan said as she sat on the ground and started playing with the figures.
"Ok Regan, I'll play with you," Stephanie said as she moved to sit on the floor and play with her daughter.
"I'm going to take a shower ok?" Chris said. Stephanie nodded.
Chris smiled at his wife and daughter sitting on the floor playing before disappearing into the bathroom. He thought it might be awkward with Stephanie around again, it had just been him and Regan for a long time. But Stephanie was fitting right in.
"So Regan, who's your favorite wrestler?" Stephanie asked, wanting to know more about her daughter.
"Kurt," Regan answered simply, not even having to think about it.
"You like Kurt?"
"He gives me presents, and sits with me when Daddy wrestles, and he lets me wear his medals," Regan explained, smiling happily.
"Do you like wrestling?"
"Yes, Daddy's moves are Walls and Lionsault," Regan said proudly.
"Wow, you sure know a lot about it."
"Daddy teach me, and Gampa Vince."
Stephanie sat playing with Regan before she heard a knock on the door. She looked startled for a moment, not knowing who it might be.
"Regan, stay here, Mommy's going to see who's at the door ok?"
"Kay Mama," Regan said, not looking up.
Stephanie got up and went to the door. She peeked through the peephole, and saw Kurt Angle standing out there, she recognized him from the television. She wanted to open the door, but they were trying to keep Stephanie a secret so she couldn't. She heard Kurt knock again, and went to tell Chris so he could open it.
She walked up to the bathroom door and knocked loudly. It took a few seconds, but Chris answered the door, clad in a towel. Stephanie couldn't help but notice how nice he looked.
"Chris?"
"Yeah?"
"Kurt Angle's at the door."
"Did you answer it?"
"No, that's why I came to tell you, you can answer it."
"I'm kinda busy," he said laughing.
"I can see that, but he's just standing outside."
"Ok, hold on," he said, as he closed the door, and reemerged with pants on.
"Wait in here," he told her. She nodded mutely going into the bathroom.
Chris closed the door behind him and walked over to the hotel room door. He looked through the peephole checking to see if Kurt was still there. Once he saw he was still out there he opened the door.
"Hey Kurt."
"Hey Chris, I heard that you were here so I decided to see if you wanted to join me for dinner," Kurt said walking into the hotel room, even though Chris hadn't invited him in.
"Actually I was probably going to eat in with Regan."
"Oh ok, that's fine. So where's the little girl?"
"She's playing over there," Chris said nodding his head in Regan's direction.
"Were you taking a shower?" Kurt asked, noticing Chris's wet hair.
"Yeah, why?"
"Who was looking after Regan?" Kurt said going over to the little girl.
"Kurt!" Regan yelled when she saw him, "I miss you!"
She ran over to him and opened her arms signaling that she wanted a hug. Kurt bent down and hugged the little girl.
"I missed you too doll."
"Come play!" Regan cried happily.
"Ok, cutie," he said sitting down on the ground, "Really Chris, you shouldn't leave a three-year old alone, you're not using one of the three I's, where's your intelligence?"
"Um, yeah, I don't know," Chris said dumbly.
"I play with Mama," Regan told Kurt. Chris's eyes grew wide as Regan said that. He couldn't believe Regan had blown their cover.
"Yes, that's your Mama," Kurt said pointing to the Stephanie figure on the ground. Chris breathed a sigh of relief.
"No," Regan said frustrated that Kurt didn't get what she was saying, "Mama in bafroom."
"What?" Kurt said looking from Regan to Chris. Chris just shrugged, acting like he didn't know anything.
"Mama in bafroom," Regan said pointing towards the closed door. Kurt stood up and walked over to Chris.
"Do you have a woman in this room?" Kurt asked discreetly as possible.
"No, of course not," Chris said, hoping he sounded convincing.
"Are you sure?" Kurt asked suspiciously.
"Yeah," Chris said, shrugging the comment off.
"I show you," Regan said getting up. She grabbed Kurt's hand and dragged him over to the bathroom, "Mama there."
Kurt opened the bathroom door and saw...nothing.
"Sweetie, there's nothing in here," Kurt said looking down at Regan.
Chris walked over and looked as well, and it was true, he couldn't see Stephanie anywhere. She was really good at hiding. Kurt looked over at Chris, as Regan let go of his hand and walked into the bathroom.
"Is she ok?" Kurt whispered.
"What are you talking about?"
"She thinks Stephanie's here, that's not normal."
"She's fine, she's just excited. We were talking about Stephanie yesterday, and maybe she just has an imaginary friend." Kurt looked at him with narrowed eyes.
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom Regan had decided to find Stephanie herself. She looked everywhere, and finally spotted Stephanie against the shower wall, away from where Kurt could see her. Regan's eyes lit up, and Stephanie motioned for her to be quiet. But like most three year olds, that's next to impossible.
"Kurt!" Regan yelled.
"What cutie?" Kurt said, worried about the youngster.
"Mama!" she yelled, pointing at Stephanie.
Kurt walked into the bathroom, ready to play along with Regan. Maybe Chris had been right, and it was an imaginary friend. He walked to where Regan was standing and looked to where she was pointing.
Kurt's eyes became as big as saucers as he saw who was standing against the shower wall. He thought that his eyes were deceiving him, and he blinked a few times. He still couldn't believe what he was seeing. Stephanie was standing in the bathroom. Stephanie was ALIVE and standing in the bathroom.
"Stephanie!"
"Hi, yeah, you're Kurt Angle," Stephanie said, stepping out of the shower. By this time Chris had come inside as well, and stood watching the exchange.
"You're here! You're ALIVE!" Kurt said, his eyes not leaving Stephanie, "Did you know she was alive Chris?"
"She was in my bathroom, so yeah I knew she was alive," Chris said.
"But-but how, and when, and why, how, what are you doing here?" Kurt said, stumbling over his words.
"Do you need to sit down?" Stephanie told him. Kurt nodded, and Stephanie started to walk into the main room, but before she could leave Kurt grabbed her and hugged her tightly.
"Um, hi," Stephanie managed to say.
"Ok, explain," Kurt returned. He let go of her, and they all walked out into the main room. Kurt sat on the couch, while Chris and Stephanie sat perched on the bed.
"I told you," Regan said before Kurt pulled her into his lap. Kurt kissed her forehead, and Regan giggled.
"Just like your parents. So care to explain how Stephanie came back from the dead?"
"She wasn't in any plane crash Kurt, she was attacked, got amnesia, and she and I happened to meet by coincidence. She couldn't remember me, and I left her, but she decided to come back to try to remember," Chris said quickly.
"Well, you made that all seem so quaint and nice," Kurt said smiling.
"I try," Chris grinned.
"So you can't remember anything?" Kurt asked turning to Stephanie.
"Um, a little, but not much," Stephanie answered.
"I never thought I'd see you again," Kurt said to Stephanie.
"That's what you get for thinking Kurt," Chris said.
"Shut up Jericho," Kurt said jokingly, "So who knows about all of this?"
"Her family."
"That's it?"
"Well, we're going to tell everyone in the company tomorrow," Chris said.
"They're going to be so shocked. I mean, I'm still shocked."
"Hell, I'm still shocked," Chris said laughing.
"So you guys must have a lot to do, like make sure Stephanie isn't legally dead anymore and stuff."
"Yeah, but we're trying to enjoy the fact Stephanie's alive," Chris said.
"Ok, well I guess I'll leave you guys then."
"Kurt, no go!" Regan said loudly clinging to him.
"Aww, cutie, I'll see you tomorrow, and then I'll let you wear my medals ok?" Kurt said calmly.
"Kay!" Regan said jubilantly, before Kurt put her down.
"I'm really glad you're back Stephanie," Kurt said, giving her another hug.
"Thank you Kurt, that means a lot, I'm sure we'll get to be good friends again."
"Absolutely." And with that Kurt left. Stephanie turned to Chris.
"Do you think everyone's reactions are going to be like that?"
"Probably, why?"
"Just want to prepare myself."
Chris got up and went to Regan's room to wake her up. They had to make an early start this morning, because they had a flight to catch to go to the next show. They had all decided yesterday that Stephanie would come with them, and they would announce her presence before the show tomorrow.
He opened the door, and found the bed empty. That was odd, usually Regan would stay in bed, or in her room waiting for him to come and wake her up to make breakfast. He didn't want to start panicking, but he didn't like the idea of Regan wandering around the house alone. He started walking towards Stephanie's room, when he heard the sound of laughter coming from downstairs.
Chris went down the stairs, and followed the laughter into the kitchen. He found Regan sitting at the kitchen table, eating a stack of pancakes, and Stephanie standing over the stove, apparently making eggs.
"Chris, good morning," Stephanie said as she spotted him.
"Mornin Daddy," Regan said, between bites.
"Morning, you made breakfast?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, I hope you don't mind, I got up early, and just had the urge to make breakfast."
"Wow, of course I don't mind."
"Sit down, and I'll serve you."
"Mama made pancakes," Regan said as he sat down.
"Mama?"
"I hope it's ok that I told her she can call me that?"
"Yeah, sure, of course it is," Chris said, still shocked by Stephanie making breakfast and doing all this other stuff for them, "You're her mother."
"Here's your breakfast," she said, setting a plate down in front of him.
"This is great," Chris said, digging in.
"Did I ever make breakfast before?"
"Um, no, you were a pretty bad cook," Chris said sheepishly.
"Oh, well, luckily I improved in that department, huh?" she said laughing.
"Yeah," Chris said dumbly.
"So what's the plan for today?"
"We have to fly to Detroit for the show tomorrow, and that's about it for today."
"Great, sounds like fun."
"Yeah, fun," Regan echoed, smiling, a mouth full of food. Chris laughed at her.
"Why don't you sit down and join us?" Chris told Stephanie.
"Oh, let me just finish this up," she said.
"Ok. How did you sleep last night?"
"I slept well, thank you. So what time are we leaving?" she said, as she too sat down at the table.
"2:00, and we have to keep you secret until tomorrow."
"Sounds like some sort of undercover mission," she said laughing.
"I guess it does," Chris said smiling at her.
******************
They got to their hotel room after their flight into Detroit, and Stephanie collapsed on the bed as soon as she walked in. Chris looked at her and laughed as she lay sprawled on the bed. She opened her eyes and looked up at him.
"What?"
"Tired?"
"It's been a long day, I'm not used to flying so much."
"You get used to it after a while, and you better be prepared for tomorrow, that's when everyone finds out."
"I know. I'm kind of nervous."
"Don't be, it'll be fine."
"Daddy, where toys?" Regan asked as she looked around the room. Chris brought out a bag, and opened it to reveal all of Regan's toys that she brought with her. Most of them being wrestling action figures.
"Mama, play," Regan said as she sat on the ground and started playing with the figures.
"Ok Regan, I'll play with you," Stephanie said as she moved to sit on the floor and play with her daughter.
"I'm going to take a shower ok?" Chris said. Stephanie nodded.
Chris smiled at his wife and daughter sitting on the floor playing before disappearing into the bathroom. He thought it might be awkward with Stephanie around again, it had just been him and Regan for a long time. But Stephanie was fitting right in.
"So Regan, who's your favorite wrestler?" Stephanie asked, wanting to know more about her daughter.
"Kurt," Regan answered simply, not even having to think about it.
"You like Kurt?"
"He gives me presents, and sits with me when Daddy wrestles, and he lets me wear his medals," Regan explained, smiling happily.
"Do you like wrestling?"
"Yes, Daddy's moves are Walls and Lionsault," Regan said proudly.
"Wow, you sure know a lot about it."
"Daddy teach me, and Gampa Vince."
Stephanie sat playing with Regan before she heard a knock on the door. She looked startled for a moment, not knowing who it might be.
"Regan, stay here, Mommy's going to see who's at the door ok?"
"Kay Mama," Regan said, not looking up.
Stephanie got up and went to the door. She peeked through the peephole, and saw Kurt Angle standing out there, she recognized him from the television. She wanted to open the door, but they were trying to keep Stephanie a secret so she couldn't. She heard Kurt knock again, and went to tell Chris so he could open it.
She walked up to the bathroom door and knocked loudly. It took a few seconds, but Chris answered the door, clad in a towel. Stephanie couldn't help but notice how nice he looked.
"Chris?"
"Yeah?"
"Kurt Angle's at the door."
"Did you answer it?"
"No, that's why I came to tell you, you can answer it."
"I'm kinda busy," he said laughing.
"I can see that, but he's just standing outside."
"Ok, hold on," he said, as he closed the door, and reemerged with pants on.
"Wait in here," he told her. She nodded mutely going into the bathroom.
Chris closed the door behind him and walked over to the hotel room door. He looked through the peephole checking to see if Kurt was still there. Once he saw he was still out there he opened the door.
"Hey Kurt."
"Hey Chris, I heard that you were here so I decided to see if you wanted to join me for dinner," Kurt said walking into the hotel room, even though Chris hadn't invited him in.
"Actually I was probably going to eat in with Regan."
"Oh ok, that's fine. So where's the little girl?"
"She's playing over there," Chris said nodding his head in Regan's direction.
"Were you taking a shower?" Kurt asked, noticing Chris's wet hair.
"Yeah, why?"
"Who was looking after Regan?" Kurt said going over to the little girl.
"Kurt!" Regan yelled when she saw him, "I miss you!"
She ran over to him and opened her arms signaling that she wanted a hug. Kurt bent down and hugged the little girl.
"I missed you too doll."
"Come play!" Regan cried happily.
"Ok, cutie," he said sitting down on the ground, "Really Chris, you shouldn't leave a three-year old alone, you're not using one of the three I's, where's your intelligence?"
"Um, yeah, I don't know," Chris said dumbly.
"I play with Mama," Regan told Kurt. Chris's eyes grew wide as Regan said that. He couldn't believe Regan had blown their cover.
"Yes, that's your Mama," Kurt said pointing to the Stephanie figure on the ground. Chris breathed a sigh of relief.
"No," Regan said frustrated that Kurt didn't get what she was saying, "Mama in bafroom."
"What?" Kurt said looking from Regan to Chris. Chris just shrugged, acting like he didn't know anything.
"Mama in bafroom," Regan said pointing towards the closed door. Kurt stood up and walked over to Chris.
"Do you have a woman in this room?" Kurt asked discreetly as possible.
"No, of course not," Chris said, hoping he sounded convincing.
"Are you sure?" Kurt asked suspiciously.
"Yeah," Chris said, shrugging the comment off.
"I show you," Regan said getting up. She grabbed Kurt's hand and dragged him over to the bathroom, "Mama there."
Kurt opened the bathroom door and saw...nothing.
"Sweetie, there's nothing in here," Kurt said looking down at Regan.
Chris walked over and looked as well, and it was true, he couldn't see Stephanie anywhere. She was really good at hiding. Kurt looked over at Chris, as Regan let go of his hand and walked into the bathroom.
"Is she ok?" Kurt whispered.
"What are you talking about?"
"She thinks Stephanie's here, that's not normal."
"She's fine, she's just excited. We were talking about Stephanie yesterday, and maybe she just has an imaginary friend." Kurt looked at him with narrowed eyes.
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom Regan had decided to find Stephanie herself. She looked everywhere, and finally spotted Stephanie against the shower wall, away from where Kurt could see her. Regan's eyes lit up, and Stephanie motioned for her to be quiet. But like most three year olds, that's next to impossible.
"Kurt!" Regan yelled.
"What cutie?" Kurt said, worried about the youngster.
"Mama!" she yelled, pointing at Stephanie.
Kurt walked into the bathroom, ready to play along with Regan. Maybe Chris had been right, and it was an imaginary friend. He walked to where Regan was standing and looked to where she was pointing.
Kurt's eyes became as big as saucers as he saw who was standing against the shower wall. He thought that his eyes were deceiving him, and he blinked a few times. He still couldn't believe what he was seeing. Stephanie was standing in the bathroom. Stephanie was ALIVE and standing in the bathroom.
"Stephanie!"
"Hi, yeah, you're Kurt Angle," Stephanie said, stepping out of the shower. By this time Chris had come inside as well, and stood watching the exchange.
"You're here! You're ALIVE!" Kurt said, his eyes not leaving Stephanie, "Did you know she was alive Chris?"
"She was in my bathroom, so yeah I knew she was alive," Chris said.
"But-but how, and when, and why, how, what are you doing here?" Kurt said, stumbling over his words.
"Do you need to sit down?" Stephanie told him. Kurt nodded, and Stephanie started to walk into the main room, but before she could leave Kurt grabbed her and hugged her tightly.
"Um, hi," Stephanie managed to say.
"Ok, explain," Kurt returned. He let go of her, and they all walked out into the main room. Kurt sat on the couch, while Chris and Stephanie sat perched on the bed.
"I told you," Regan said before Kurt pulled her into his lap. Kurt kissed her forehead, and Regan giggled.
"Just like your parents. So care to explain how Stephanie came back from the dead?"
"She wasn't in any plane crash Kurt, she was attacked, got amnesia, and she and I happened to meet by coincidence. She couldn't remember me, and I left her, but she decided to come back to try to remember," Chris said quickly.
"Well, you made that all seem so quaint and nice," Kurt said smiling.
"I try," Chris grinned.
"So you can't remember anything?" Kurt asked turning to Stephanie.
"Um, a little, but not much," Stephanie answered.
"I never thought I'd see you again," Kurt said to Stephanie.
"That's what you get for thinking Kurt," Chris said.
"Shut up Jericho," Kurt said jokingly, "So who knows about all of this?"
"Her family."
"That's it?"
"Well, we're going to tell everyone in the company tomorrow," Chris said.
"They're going to be so shocked. I mean, I'm still shocked."
"Hell, I'm still shocked," Chris said laughing.
"So you guys must have a lot to do, like make sure Stephanie isn't legally dead anymore and stuff."
"Yeah, but we're trying to enjoy the fact Stephanie's alive," Chris said.
"Ok, well I guess I'll leave you guys then."
"Kurt, no go!" Regan said loudly clinging to him.
"Aww, cutie, I'll see you tomorrow, and then I'll let you wear my medals ok?" Kurt said calmly.
"Kay!" Regan said jubilantly, before Kurt put her down.
"I'm really glad you're back Stephanie," Kurt said, giving her another hug.
"Thank you Kurt, that means a lot, I'm sure we'll get to be good friends again."
"Absolutely." And with that Kurt left. Stephanie turned to Chris.
"Do you think everyone's reactions are going to be like that?"
"Probably, why?"
"Just want to prepare myself."