Arnold was called on the next canary's mission, but Dave wasn't. Kriss was still in the medi bay with Chloë. Dave wanted to go and see Kriss and Chloë but wanted to go when Arnold wouldn't be there. He saw this as his only chance to see them. When he arrived Kriss was asleep, he was allowed into the medi bay to see them though. He shook her to wake her.
"Oh, hi Dave" she said "what are you doing here?"
"Rimmer came and showed me Chloë last night" he responded "I just wanted to tell you how beautiful she is."
Kriss smiled "thank you" she said,
"She looks just like you" Dave said "she's gorgeous"
"Go on" Kriss said
"What?" asked Dave, "what do you want me to do?"
"I can see you want to hold her"
"Oh, if you don't mind"
"Go on"
Kriss looked at Dave as he gently picked her daughter up and cradled her in his arms. Some thoughts came rushing into her head, Dave seemed so natural with Chloë, and she wondered if she had done the right thing. Kriss started crying
"Hey" Dave asked her "what's up"
"Oh, I don't know" Kriss answered, "I don't know how I feel" at the minute, sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I want to cry" she picked up a tissue and rubbed her eyes "I just don't know what to do"
"Hey" Dave answered, "you've just had a baby, you've got so many hormones rushing through you, and you're sleep deprived."
"Do you know what?" Kriss asked him "you're very privileged"
"Why's that Krissie?"
"At this point in time, you are holding the most important thing in my life" be careful with her will you, and look after her while I have a sleep"
Dave sat with Chloë for four and a half hours while Kristine slept. When she needed a nappy changing he changed it, when she woke and needed a cuddle Dave cuddled her. It was only when the nurse came round to oversee the feed that Dave woke Kriss up.
"Sorry darling" he told her "you've got to feed Chloë"
"Oh, okay" she said "let's hope she takes it this time"
Dave handed Chloë to Kriss and sat down on the chair next to the bed. Kriss undid the buttons on Arnold's shirt that she was wearing and unzipped her nursing bra.
"Come on Chloë" she said, "mummy wants to feed you, you don't want those silly bottles anymore do you sweetie?"
Chloë latched on straight away and started sucking.
"Wow!" Kriss exclaimed, "This is wonderful, she's never done this before, why has she suddenly started doing it now?"
"It takes some babies a little bit longer" the nurse said "but look at her now, she was obviously hungry"
"Can I take her home now?" Kriss asked hopefully
"Not just yet" the nurse answered, "we like to keep first time mother's in for two nights just to make sure they're okay"
"But I'm a good mother" Kriss pleaded, "I can look after my baby"
"I know Kriss but we'd just like to help you get through one more night, you can go home tomorrow I promise"
"Okay" Kriss answered "I'll take her home tomorrow"
Arnold came home from the canaries mission and went to his shower room. He wanted to be clean and fresh for his daughter. He made himself look as handsome as he could and walked down to the medi block. He was greeted with one of the best sights he'd ever seen. There was Kriss breastfeeding their daughter, finally she had started feeding. Arnold walked in:
"Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" Arnold asked, "Is that Chloë breastfeeding?"
"It sure is" Kriss answered, "This is the third time she's done it"
"How does it feel?" Arnold asked her
"It's weird" Kriss answered "but it's wonderful too"
They stood there and watched Chloë feed
"They say I can come home tomorrow" Kriss said suddenly "I'm going to bring Chloë home tomorrow"
"That's wonderful news" Arnold told her "oh, by the way"
"Yes"
"Me and the boys are going out tonight to wet the baby's head as it were, you don't mind do you?"
"No, I don't mind"
"Okay darling" Arnold gave her a hug and a kiss; he then gave Chloë a kiss "I'll see you later darling"