Author: Raven Shadowrose

Rating: T

Pairing: ?/?

Summary: Sequel to Epiphany, Jeff and Dixie are trying to have a baby, what happens when it is likely to be more difficult than they first thought?

Disclaimer: I do not know or own any of the characters from Casualty, any original characters and the story are my property and I do not give permission for either of them to be used.

A/N: This is a direct sequel to Epiphany, please read that first to understand this story :) Reviews are welcome :)

Thank you to BeethovenRIP, chan. nelson4444 and Carlykinz for your comments, enjoy this chapter, all of the medical stuff has been researched on the internet, mainly on the NHS choices website. The operation that Dixie goes through is a very real one and is often used to treat women with infertility problems.

Chapter Four.

Dixie sat on the bed that she had been given in the hospital, she was waiting for the doctor to come and explain the procedure to her, they had already taken her blood pressure and checked her heart rate. Dixie felt Jeff squeeze her hand as the doctor came in. 'Okay Mrs Collier, we are satisfied that you are healthy and that we can go ahead with your operation. I need to explain the risks to you and make sure that you understand them.'

'Okay, I understand.'

'There is a risk of a blood clot or DVT with this operation, we may have to change to open surgery if we cannot remove the blockage by laparoscopy, your wounds if not cared for may get infected and there is a possibility of you developing a hernia or a urine infection. Do you understand?'

'Yes.'

'If you experience a fever, severe or increasing pain, red skin around your wounds or a swollen abdomen at any time after your operation then come back to hospital immediately.'

'All right.'

'You will experience mild pain in your abdomen and in your shoulder, this is caused by the gas that is used to inflate your stomach, you will find that the pain will subside within two days and can be eased by a warm shower. There will be some bruising where we insert the instruments but this will disappear without treatment. We will use dissolving stitches to close your wounds and they will disappear in seven days.'

'How soon after the operation will I be able to resume normal activities?'

'You will need to rest for two weeks after the operation and have someone with you at all times for the first day until your anaesthetic wears off completely. I would also recommend that you wait to resume sexual relations until the whole fortnight has passed.'

'How will we know if the operation has worked?'

'We will run a test during the operation, dye will be injected into your cervix and we will see if it runs through into your fallopian tubes. We will make sure that we get all of the tissue that is causing the blockage before we close you up again. Your urine may be green for a while after the operation but it is nothing to worry about.'

'Is there anything else I should know about?'

'You may experience some vaginal bleeding for up to a month after the surgery but it is nothing to worry about and you may bleed heavier than normal during your first period which might not appear for up to six weeks after the operation. Eat a light evening meal when you get home and that should relieve any nausea that you are feeling. Your bandage can be removed tomorrow morning and the steri-strips three days later.'

'Is that everything?'

'Yes, we will give you an information pack with everything that I have told you in it. If you still want to go ahead then I will need you to sign this consent form.'

'Okay.' Dixie picked up the pen and signed the form the doctor held out to her.

'Thank you, a nurse will be along shortly to insert your IV.'

'Thank you doctor.' Dixie held Jeff's hand, the time was nearly here and she was getting nervous.

Jeff hugged Dixie after the doctor had gone. 'Everything will be okay princess, they know what they're doing.'

'I know, it is a good job I haven't had anything to eat or I would be sick.'

'You're being very brave my love.'

'I don't feel it.'

'Come here princess.' Jeff sat on the bed with Dixie and kissed her head. 'All of this will be over soon and we'll be on our way to having a little Dixie.'

'Or a little Jeff.'

'Trust me princess, everything will be fine.' The nurse came in and Jeff stroked Dixie's hand as the nurse put in the IV line.

'Okay all done, you have to stay in bed now as soon you will start feeling drowsy and we don't want anything happening to you.'

'All right.' Jeff sat with Dixie and watched as the drugs started to take effect. 'Jeff?' Jeff barely heard Dixie utter his name.

'I'm here princess.' He stroked Dixie's hair and hoped that she knew he was by her side.

Jeff was still sat with Dixie when the doctor came back. 'It's time.'

'Can I stay with her until she is asleep? I promised her that I would.'

'Of course you can.' Jeff followed them to the theatre and held Dixie's hand as they administered the anaesthetic. Dixie's eyes fluttered shut and he kissed her head. 'I love you princess, see you soon.'

'Come back in ninety minutes, we should be finished by then.'

'Please look after her.'

'We will.' Jeff nodded at the doctor and left the theatre, he hoped that everything went well.

Tamzin looked at the clock on the wall of Dixie's office, Dixie would be in theatre now, she hoped that everything went well. She looked up when the knock came on the door. 'Jeff, you don't have to knock, come in.'

'Thanks Tamzin, Dixie is in theatre now.'

'How are you holding up?'

'I'm worried, I just don't want anything to go wrong.'

'It won't, she's strong, we both know it.'

'I know, at least Dixie is asleep through it, staying awake is much harder.'

'That it is. I'll come and see her once she's out of theatre.'

'Thank you.' Tamzin hugged Jeff, she could see that he was suffering and worrying about Dixie. 'How are you coping Tamzin?'

'I'm okay, Dixie's notes are very precise and they're helping. I just wish I had a bit more support from the others in this station.'

'What's wrong?'

'I know that some people don't want me doing this job.'

'Ignore them, nearly everyone in this station supports you, the fact that Dixie has chosen you says everything. If anyone says anything you send them to me.'

'Thanks Jeff, it means a lot to me that you believe I can do this.'

'I do believe in you Tamzin and so does Dixie.'

'I know, thank you.'

'I'm going to go back and wait for Dixie, I'll let you know when she's out and starting to wake up.'

'Make sure you do.' Tamzin smiled, Jeff and Dixie believed in her, that meant more to her than anything. Suddenly the whispering and comments from the mean few didn't matter any more.

Jeff went and sat by Dixie's bed, she wasn't back yet, she would still be in theatre for a little while longer, he wished that she was out of there already. He had promised Dixie that he would be there for her when she came out of theatre and he was going to keep that promise. He hated having nothing to do, being idle lead to thinking and now he was thinking about whether or not they could get rid of the blockages or if something went wrong in there. He was still thinking when the nurses brought Dixie back, she was still sleeping and the doctor came over to Jeff. 'How did it go doctor? Is everything okay?'

'Why don't you come with me while the nurses make Mrs Collier comfortable.' Jeff was worried but he followed the doctor down the corridor. 'What happened?'

'The operation went well, we have managed to remove all of the tissue that was causing your wife's infertility, the dye test revealed that her fallopian tubes are functioning normally.' Jeff just stared at the doctor and breathed a sigh of relief.

'Thank you for everything that you've done for us.'

'It is my pleasure.' Jeff took the pack that the doctor handed to him.'This contains all of the information you will need to deal with Mrs Collier's recovery, if you have any problems don't hesitate to bring her back in.'

'I will. How long it will be before she wakes up?'

'An hour or two.'

'Can I sit with her?'

'Of course you can.'

'Thank you again.' Jeff went back to Dixie's bedside, the nurses had left and he went over to her and kissed her on the head. 'You did it princess, everything is going to be all right.' Jeff took Dixie's hand in his own and held it, he couldn't wait to tell her when she woke up.

Tamzin left to go and see Jeff and Dixie as soon as her work allowed, she pulled back the curtain to find Jeff sat with a still sleeping Dixie. 'Hi, how did it go?'

'Everything is fine, the operation was a success.'

'I'm so glad to hear it, is she waking up yet?'

'I think so, she keeps moving from time to time.' Tamzin took the other seat beside Jeff.

'I think this is the only time that I've ever seen Dixie really quiet.'

'You're right there Tamzin, she talks in her sleep from time to time though.' Tamzin smiled, she could very well imagine Dixie talking in her sleep and waking Jeff up. She watched Jeff as he held Dixie's hand and stroked it gently, she had never seen a couple more in love and she hoped that the bad times were over for them now.

Jeff watched Dixie intently and she moved more frequently as the time passed. 'Jeff?'

'I'm here princess, it's all right.' Jeff stroked Dixie's hair and she settled down, he was pleased that his presence made her feel better. 'Tamzin, will you find a nurse please?'

'Sure, I'll be back in a minute.' Jeff watched Dixie closely and her eyes opened.

'Hello princess, how are you feeling?'

'Tired and sore, everything hurts.'

'Tamzin has gone for a nurse, we'll sort out the pain for you.' Dixie closed her eyes and then slowly opened them again as Tamzin came back with the nurse. 'How are you feeling Mrs Collier?'

'I'm sore.'

'I'll just get you some pain relief.' Jeff looked on as the nurse gave Dixie some pain relief through her IV. 'There is a prescription for the painkillers you will need at the pharmacy, you'll need to pick it up before you leave.'

'Thank you.'

'I'll get it for you,' Tamzin said and left Jeff alone with Dixie.

Dixie relaxed, the pain she felt in her body was going and she was feeling more awake now. 'Jeff?'

'Yes princess.'

'How long have I been asleep?'

'About four hours.'

'Am I okay?'

'What do you mean princess?'

'Can I have a baby now?' She was worried, what if all of it was for nothing, what if she couldn't have a baby?

'Yes princess, there is nothing stopping us now.' Dixie stared at Jeff, the operation had worked, it had been a success. Dixie's eyes filled with tears, she was going to be a mum. 'Dixie, what's wrong?'

'Nothing, I'm happy.'

'Good, nothing is stopping us now, we're going to be parents.'

'I love you Jeff.'

'I love you too Dixie.' Dixie held onto Jeff's hand, she hoped that she could go home soon.

Tamzin came back to find Dixie sat up in the bed, she looked tired but happy, clearly Jeff had told her the news. 'Hi Dixie.'

'Tamzin, how are you getting on?'

'Everything is fine, don't worry, you just focus on getting better.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes, very sure. I'll come and see you when you're at home.' Tamzin hugged Jeff and handed him the painkillers, she went to leave and Dixie called out to her.

'Hey, where's my hug?' Tamzin smiled, Dixie was slowly getting back to her old self, Tamzin went over to her and carefully hugged her.

'I'm so pleased for you Dixie.'

'Thank you sweetheart.'

'You're welcome.' Tamzin looked at Dixie and Jeff one last time and left them alone.

Jeff helped Dixie to get dressed after the doctor had cleared her to leave the hospital. 'Does it hurt a lot princess?'

'A bit, but it is worth it.'

'I am going to help you get better.' Jeff kissed Dixie's head and picked up the bag that held her things.

'You're a good man Jeff, thank for staying with me until I was asleep, I knew that you were there.'

'You knew?'

'I could feel you holding my hand, it meant a lot to me.'

'I will always be with you when you need me princess. Come on, let's get you home so you can rest.'

'Okay, I still feel tired.'

'You will do, the anaesthetic hasn't worn off yet.'

'I know, I feel it.'

'I'll make you a little something to eat while you put your feet up.' Jeff helped Dixie into the car and helped her put her seatbelt on. 'I love you princess, you do know that right?'

'I do, I love you too Jeff.' Jeff smiled at Dixie and started the car, he just knew that everything was going to be all right now.