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 lovely reviews, welcome to olivia. 1 and than you for favouriting and following, I hope you all enjoy this chapter xx


Chapter Seven.

Dixie woke up early, Jeff was taking John to play football in the park today. She wanted them to have some proper father and son time together. Jeff had missed out on a lot over the years and it was important for both him and John to make up for the time that they had missed. She had suggested the trip to them last night and Jeff had agreed, he would spend some time with Sophia later on.

Dixie looked at Jeff, he was still sleeping, she would wake him soon but for now she wanted to be alone with her thoughts. Jeff had been wonderful during all of this, he had put up with her moods and her moments when she just wanted to be alone. The end of her recovery was in sight, she could see the day when she would be back at work and doing the job that she loved.

Dixie was relying on the painkillers less now, something that she was pleased about, she still had odd moments when she had little bits of pain but it had improved a great deal. She had decided that taking it easy was a good idea, if she tried to do too much too soon then she might end up off work for longer and that was not too appealing to her

Dixie reached over and gently shook Jeff awake. 'Morning Jeff.'

'Morning Dix.'

'We should get up, you're taking John to play football today.'

'I know, I wish we could have them here for longer.'

'I know you do, you won't have to wait much longer, the school holidays are in a couple of months and we have two weeks off so they can come and stay with us.' Dixie put her hand on Jeff's shoulder, she sympathised with him, having his kids so far away wasn't easy and she knew that he missed them.

'It is the only thing that is keeping me going Dixie, that and the thought that you will be pregnant and having a baby soon.'

'Come here love.' Dixie hugged Jeff, she just knew that he needed her now. 'You're a good dad Jeff, nobody can ever doubt that.'

'I am glad you have so much faith in me.'

'I do.' Dixie leaned in and kissed Jeff, there was no doubt in her mind that Jeff was a good dad. 'Now, let's get up, I'll make breakfast while you get the kids up.'

'All right, thanks Dixie.'

'I love you Jeff.'

'I love you too.' Dixie kissed Jeff again, she was missing the closeness of being with him but she knew that she still had a while to go before they could start practising for a baby. Dixie pulled away when she felt Jeff's hand on her leg. 'Jeff, you know that we can't.'

'I know, I am counting the days until we can be together again. Unless you end up in pain, I read that sometimes women can find sex a little uncomfortable the first time after the operation.'

'We'll just try, if I find it uncomfortable then I'll tell you and we can leave it until another time.'

'Okay, but promise me that you'll tell me, I don't want to hurt you.'

'I promise.'

'Good.'

'Come on Jeff, we have lots to do today.' Dixie got out of the bed and wrapped her dressing gown around herself, she really was glad that there wasn't long left until they could be together again.

Jeff got himself dressed and went into the room that Sophia and John were sharing, they had bought them separate beds to sleep in and a wardrobe to keep their things in whenever they came to stay. 'Come on kids, time to get up.'

'I'm already awake daddy.'

'Good morning my little princess.' Jeff gave Sophia a hug and then hugged John. 'Good morning John, are you looking forward to football?'

'I am, I can't wait to play with you dad.'

'Come on, Dixie is making breakfast, then once you are ready we can go and play.' Jeff smiled as Sophia and John jumped out of bed and he heard them running down the stairs. It was going to hurt having to let them go back to Lucy but he had to see them, feeling the hurt when he had to take them home was preferable to not seeing them at all.

Jeff went downstairs to find John and Sophia sat at the table with cereal and toast in front of them, Dixie was pottering about and pouring coffee into cups. Jeff smiled, he could get used to this. He loved domestic Dixie, she seemed so at home cooking and looking after Sophia and John. He went into the kitchen and kissed Dixie on the cheek, he took the coffee that she held out and drank some of it. 'Thanks princess.' He joined Sophia and John at the table and helped himself to some of the toast that Dixie had put in the rack. He was pleased that his kids had such good appetites and were very healthy. 'Okay kids, you need to get washed and dressed.' Sophia and John jumped up and went back upstairs to get themselves ready for the day.

Dixie smiled, Sophia and John were very well behaved and she loved having them around. She did the washing up and placed it on the draining board. 'Are you okay Jeff?'

'Yeah, I am, I'm just going to miss them when they have to go back.'

'Don't worry about that now, just go out and enjoy the day with your son.'

'You're so smart.'

'Yes I am.'

'What will you do when I'm out with John?'

'We are going to make a cake.'

'Are you sure you'll be all right?'

'Yes, don't worry Jeff, I am a lot better now. If I feel tired then I will rest.'

'Okay, that's good enough for me.' Dixie smiled, she was happy that Jeff trusted her, she wouldn't anything to jeopardise her recovery.

Jeff found John dressed in his football kit. 'Are you ready to go?'

'I am, I want to play.'

'Let's go.' John went downstairs and Jeff went over to Sophia. 'My little princess, I have a big task for you. Will you look after Dixie while I'm out?'

'Of course I will, I'm going to be a nurse one day daddy.'

'You will make a very good nurse.'

'Dixie said we can make a cake, maybe I'll be a chef too.' Jeff smiled, Sophia sounded so serious about her future career. 'Don't worry daddy, Dixie will be fine with me, I'll look after her.'

'I know you will princess.' Jeff kissed Sophia on the head. 'I'll see you later, I'm taking your brother out for while.'

'Have fun daddy.' Jeff smiled, his daughter was so loving and caring and she had really taken to Dixie, he took Sophia's hand and they went down to were John and Dixie were waiting. 'Okay, we're going now, have fun while we're out ladies.'

'We will.' Jeff kissed Dixie and hugged her. 'Enjoy the football, don't break a leg Jeff, I need you in one piece for when we go back to work.'

'Don't worry, I'll be careful.' Jeff waved at Dixie and Sophia and let John out of the house.

Dixie turned to Sophia. 'Now that the men have gone shall we make a cake?'

'Yes, I like cake.'

'Me too.' Dixie took all of the ingredients out of the cupboard and fridge and put them on the table. 'I like chocolate cake even more.'

'So do I, chocolate cake is my favourite.'

'Then we're agreed, chocolate cake it is.' Dixie put the bowl in front of Sophia. 'Do you want to mix it up for me?'

'Yes, I do.'

'Excellent.' Dixie carefully weighed out the ingredients into the bowl and Sophia carefully mixed them up as Dixie added them one by one.

'I like doing this Dixie, I like cooking.'

'You're very good at it.'

'I still think I want to be a nurse.'

'You don't have to decide just yet, you have plenty of time.'

'Is it ready to go in yet?'

'Yes, the oven is ready and waiting.'

'I can't wait to eat it.' Dixie put the cake in the oven and set the timer.

'For now, we get to do the best bit.'

'What's that?'

'There's always some cake mix left in the bowl.' Dixie took some of the leftover cake mix out of the bowl and ate it. 'Go on, it tastes lovely.' Sophia stuck her finger in the bowl and stuck it in her mouth.

'It's yummy.' Dixie smiled, she was definitely looking forward to being a mother.

Jeff watched John run around with the ball, he'd improved so much since the last time he'd watched his son play football. He was brilliant at scoring, it really made him proud that his son had found something that he really liked doing and he was excelling at it. 'Come here John.' John ran over and picked up the ball when he was in front of Jeff. 'You're really good, I can tell you've been practising.'

'I do, I practise every day.'

'Do you think you will want to be a footballer one day?'

'I don't know, I like playing football now but I might want to be something different when I grow up. Maybe I will become a paramedic like you dad.'

'I wish I could see you a lot more, you do know that don't you?'

'I do, I wish I could see you more too dad. Sophia misses you a lot, she counts down the days until she can see you again.'

'I do the same. I love you both so much.'

'I love you too dad.' Jeff hugged his son, he was so happy that Sophia and John looked forward to seeing him, it meant that they still loved him.

'Come on, Dixie and Sophia should have a cake ready for us to eat by now.'

'I like cake.'

'Me too.' Jeff held the football and took John back to the car, he was looking forward to spending the rest of the evening with his kids and Dixie, he had forgotten how much fun family life could be.

Dixie took the cake out of the oven. 'Is it ready Dixie?'

'It is, it just needs to cool down and then we can eat it when your dad and John get back.'

'Yay, I can't wait.'

'Come and sit with me on the sofa until then.'

'Are you tired Dixie? Are you hurting?'

'No sweet pea, I just want to have a sit down.'

'Good, because daddy said I had to look after you while he was out.'

'Did he?'

'Yes, he wants to make sure that you are well.'

'I know, I am nearly better.' Dixie smiled, she wasn't surprised that Jeff had asked Sophia to look after her. It really made her smile, she loved the fact that the little girl was taking her job so seriously.

'Are you? Does that mean you'll go back to work and drive your ambulance?'

'It does.'

'Are you in charge of daddy?'

'I am, and lots of other people too.'

'I like that you save people Dixie.'

'I like saving people too.' Dixie put her arm around Sophia as they cuddled up on the sofa, today had been very good fun, she wished that there were more days like this. She still had the rest of the day with the kids and Jeff, she couldn't wait until the school holidays and she could spend more time with them all.