"Hey gorgeous" Dave said
"Hey" Kriss answered quietly
"What's up baby?" Dave asked her
"Nothing" Kriss answered
Dave gestured towards Alicia-May, is she okay?"
"She's fine" Kriss told him "I've just finished feeding her"
"Guess what" Dave told her "Arnold's taking us out, to celebrate Alicia-May, one of us tonight, one of us tomorrow night"
"Okay" Kriss told him "you go tonight, I'd like to spend some time with Chloë and Alicia-May!"
So Dave went out with Arnold, Cat and Kryten. Kriss was left on her own with four children,
"So this is what it's like to be a single Mum," she muttered to herself. Kriss asked Chloë to stay with Alicia-May while she bathed the boys.
"If she cries, you come and get me" Kriss told Chloë
"Okay Mummy" Chloë agreed
Kriss bathed Llewey and Jim-Bexley and put them to bed. Luckily then went down straight away which gave Kriss some time with Chloë before they went to bed
"Is Alicia-May going to be okay?" Chloë asked her
"Of course" Kriss told her "Why?"
"I thought she was going away and not coming back" Chloë answered
"Who told you that, Chloë?"
"I heard you crying, you asked Daddy Dave what was going to happen if you lost her"
"I'm sorry I worried you precious" Kriss told Chloë "I was just being silly, she'll be okay"
"You promise?" Chloë asked, "I don't want her to go away"
"I promise"
Chloë smiled at Kriss "Love you mummy," she said, "I love Daddy, Daddy Dave, Alicia-May, Llewey and Jim-Bexley too!"
"I know my love" Kriss told her "it's time you were having a bath"
"I know, Mummy" Chloë agreed "come on Chloë, Kriss said as she picked up Alicia-May from in her cot "let's get you in the bath."
"Can I stay up to see Alicia-May's feed?" Chloë asked after the bath
"No darling" Kriss answered, "Alicia-May's feed is not for an hour and it'll be too late then!"
"Okay Mummy" Chloë smiled. Kriss took her to her bed gave her a hug and said goodnight.
"See you in the morning Mummy" Chloë said
"See you in the morning Chloë" Kriss replied
"Love you" Chloë called
"Love you too Chloë" Kriss called back
Kriss went over to Alicia-May's cot and picked her up, she knew she wasn't supposed to as Alicia-May was asleep but she needed to make up for lost time. Slowly Alicia-May's eyes opened and she stared at Kriss.
"Hello darling" Kriss said, Alicia-May just stared into Kriss' eyes. Kriss laid Alicia-May on her lap and stroked he hand. As before, Alicia-May grabbed Kriss' finger with her fist. This was just what Kriss wanted. This time, however it felt a hundred times better, the grip was stronger and Kriss knew she had many years to come with Alicia-May. She was really happy.