Author: Raven Shadowrose

Title: Epiphany

Rating: T

Pairing: Jeff/Dixie

Summary: Jeff and Dixie think about their feelings

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Casualty, any original characters and this story are my property and I do not give permission for anyone else to use this story.

Author's Note: Thanks again to Beethoven RIP, and chan. nelson4444 for your comments and PMs regarding this story, you might want to keep a tissue handy for this chapter

Chapter Twenty-Five... Jeff.

Tamzin came and picked Dixie up a short while ago, I was hoping that she wouldn't be late as the flowers were due any minute. But everything went to plan and Dixie is successfully out of the house, the flowers are here and everyone that is going to help me today has arrived. Tess is giving everyone jobs to do, she has a list, Tamzin gave it to her yesterday and we're slowly ticking things off one by one. I am currently making sure that all the roses are in water, we won't be putting them out until later and I don't want them wilting. Anyone that is working will be joining us later, we might need extra hands to do things depending on how all this goes.

Sam has dropped off most of the decorations, she has some more to get from her house so she has disappeared off to get those. Meanwhile everyone else is working really hard, Dylan and Fletch are putting up the Chinese lanterns in the trees. Dylan is precariously hanging off the ladder and Fletch is telling him to stop it. I really hope he doesn't injure himself in the process, we need everyone in one piece. If Sam was here Dylan would be in serious trouble, they've been getting on better these days, nobody really knows what is going on between them. Tess has split Dylan and Fletch up, it appears she's fed up of them arguing. Fletch isn't that bothered, he's been put with Jessica from our team, it looks as if he is quite pleased with that. If he does anything to hurt her I will have his head.

'Jeff,' I turned to see Tess stood behind me. 'Everything is going well, so far anyway.'

'Thank you for doing all this.'

'It is my pleasure, you and Dixie mean a lot to everyone, it is going to be beautiful.'

'I hope so, I just hope she doesn't get mad at me for doing all of this without her knowing.'

'She won't, she may be surprised and shocked but I think she'll like it.'

'Do you really think so?'

'Yes, definitely.'

'I really hope you're right.'

'I am.' I smiled at Tess, I am glad that she's here, she always knows exactly what to say to make people feel better.

I've just noticed that Sam hasn't returned yet, where has she gone for those decorations? I'm starting to smell a rat, she managed to get them all in the boot of her car at the hospital and yet somehow she can't now. I wonder what she is really up to. Dylan doesn't seem concerned, he knows where she is, he must do. I take my mind off things by helping Charlie and Zoe put up the flowers, Zoe arrived not long after her shift and she has got right into helping us do things. I can't believe how different everything looks, it doesn't look anything like I imagined it to and yet it is perfect. Big Mac is here now too and he's laying out the candles where Tess tells him to, it is going to be amazingly beautiful. I can't wait for Dixie to get here and see what we have been doing in her absence.

Tamzin's mum has arrived with some of the food, I've just about managed to make room for some of it in the fridge, next door have agreed to take some of it in for us. Everything will be laid up in the house just before we start to eat. I didn't want it too formal so everyone can just take what they want and sit where they want to eat. There will be some drinks too, not too many, I don't think drunk people is a very good idea, especially not certain members of staff. I think I heard Tamzin mention something about champagne at some point too.

I'm nervous, everything is ready and the time is getting closer to when Dixie gets here, I've retreated to our bedroom so I can get ready. Evening is rapidly falling and I can see people going round and lighting all the candles and Chinese lanterns, it looks wonderful. I've eaten a little bit of food, just enough so that Tess won't get mad at me for not eating but I am really too nervous to eat. I heard the knock on the door. 'Jeff, are you decent?' It is Sam, I wonder where she has been.

'I am.'

'I have some people here to see you.'

'Probably more of the staff with things to ask me.'

'Come in.' Sam pushed the door open. 'What is it?'

'Look at you handsome.' Sam straightened the tie I was wearing.

'I hate ties.'

'It is a good look on you, Dixie is a lucky woman.'

'I'm a lucky man to have her.' Sam smiled. 'Who is it that wants to see me?'

'You'll see, go on.'

'You're not making much sense.'

'I know.' Now I was curious, just what has she been up to all day?

I opened our door and looked outside, my mouth fell open, of all the people that could have been stood there I wasn't expecting them. I rubbed my eyes, expecting them to be gone when I looked again but they were still there. 'John, Sophia?'

'Dad,' Sophia said, and rushed into my arms. John soon joined her and I hugged them both tight.

'I am so glad that you're here. How are you here?'

'I can answer that,' Sam said from behind me. 'When you thought I was discussing decorations with Tamzin she was asking me to pick up your kids from the train station. I do believe that she asked your ex wife to send them here for this. Tamzin can be very convincing when she wants something.'

I couldn't believe it, Tamzin had got Lucy to send the kids here for the renewal, she deserves a medal for this. Tears ran from my eyes, I haven't seen my kids in so long, they've grown really big. 'I've missed you so much.'

'I've missed you too daddy,' Sophia said and hugged me tighter. 'Why are you crying?'

'I'm just so happy to see you. You have to tell me everything, I want to know how you're getting on at school. You're such a beautiful girl Sophia.' I turned my attention to John. 'You've grown up, I hope you are looking after your sister.'

'Of course I am.' I hugged John, I am so proud of them.

'We have to go daddy, Sam wants us to sit at the front.'

'Okay, you do that, I will see you later.' John and Sophia waved at me and went down the stairs.

I wiped my eyes and stood up, Sam was still stood behind me and she was crying. 'Thank you for that.' I hugged Sam, I still couldn't believe that my kids are here.

'You're welcome, that was beautiful, I am honoured that I was able to see it. Tamzin did all the hard work though.'

'I'll thank her later, I had my suspicions you were up to something when you were gone most of the day but I never expected anything like this.'

'I've been entertaining your kids, they are lovely, you should be so proud of them.'

'I am.'

'I'll leave you to compose yourself, Tess wants me to help her checking that there are enough plates and things for people to eat from.'

'Sam, thank you, you don't know how much this means to me.'

'I do.' Sam hugged me one last time and went downstairs. I knew that thank you wasn't enough for what Sam and Tamzin had done for me, I will get them a gift when all this is finished, something proper to say thank you for everything that they have done.

I am still in shock, I thought that this whole surprise was for Dixie and Tamzin turned the tables on me. I don't know how she managed it, I am going to have to ask her later on, she has worked miracles here. I went downstairs and looked at all of the people that were gathering outside, they had gone away and came back dressed in their finest clothing. The photographer has been going around and taking pictures of people. We should have some wonderful memories of this night, if Dixie doesn't kill me that is.

My thoughts were interrupted by Sam coming in through the doors. 'Tamzin has just sent me a message, they're five minutes away and will be here shortly. You have to meet them at the door.'

'Oh, I'm nervous, what if she hates it.'

'She won't hate it.' Sam squeezed my hand and went back out. I paced the room until I heard a car pull up outside, this is it, they are here.

I heard Dixie's voice coming up the pathway. 'Come on Tamzin, the house in almost complete darkness and you keep me out of the way all day. What is going on?' So she suspects, I thought she might, you can't keep anything from Dixie for long. I couldn't hear Tamzin's answer, she's always been quiet when talking. Tamzin opened the door and stepped inside and Dixie looked at us both. 'Okay, now I really know something is going on. Jeff, you never wear a suit with a tie. Does one of you want to tell me what is going on?' I had momentarily forgotten how to speak, Dixie looked amazing, she had royal blue dress on and her hair had been freshly dyed and styled. 'You look beautiful my love.'

'Thank you, you do look handsome in your suit but I want to know what is going on.'

'Look out there.' Dixie looked out of the back doors.

'What are all those people doing out there sat down? It doesn't look like much of a party.'

'That's because it isn't. All of our friends are outside and they are waiting for us. The party was just a cover, this night is for us to renew our wedding vows. I want them all to know how much I love you, I want you to know how much you mean to me.' Dixie just stared at me, I waited for her to take it in, she would either slap me or cry.

A tear fell from Dixie's eye. 'Oh my love, come here.' I hugged her tightly. 'I love you so much. Are you mad at me?' Dixie shook her head, she wasn't mad, that's a good start.

'You did all this?'

'With a little help from our friends, everyone has pulled together to make this happen.'

'I can't believe it.'

'Believe it princess.' I turned to Tamzin. 'You are a very sneaky woman, bringing my kids here.'

'I know, are you happy?'

'Very, I want to know how you did it later.'

'I'll tell you everything, I promise. Are we going ahead?'

'Dixie, it is all up to you. Do you want to do this?' I hoped she would say yes.

'Let's do it, Mr Collier.'

'Give me a minute,' Tamzin said. 'When you hear the music start then you can come in.' Tamzin disappeared through the doors and I held my arm out to Dixie. 'Come on princess.' Dixie slipped her arm through mine and smiled. The music started and we went through the doors into the garden.