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, enjoy this chapter :)
Chapter Twenty-Nine... Jeff.
I woke slowly, the memories of yesterday came back to me in waves. Dixie and how beautiful she looked, renewing our vows and letting everyone know just how I feel about Dixie. Tamzin surprising me by getting my kids here and then putting them to bed with Dixie. Going to bed with my beautiful wife and then sleeping with her in my arms. I can hardly believe that perfection can be summed up in so few words, yesterday was the best day of my life.
Dixie is already awake, I can smell food cooking, I rubbed my eyes and got myself dressed, I can always shower later before we go to the hotel, maybe I can persuade Dixie to join me. I put all of those thoughts aside for now, my kids are here and I don't really want them catching us. They're still young and innocent and I want them to stay that way for as long as possible.
I crept into Dixie's old room and watched Sophia and John sleeping; they are the only good that ever came from my previous marriage. I am going to fight to see them, I want to see them, they are my kids too. I love them, it has been too long since I've seen them and they've grown big. Maybe they could and stay with me and Dixie during the school holidays, we could take some time off and take them places. No matter what Lucy says I am going to see my kids, surely she will grant me that. We've both moved on and have new people in our lives, the time for arguing and petty sniping is past.
Movement from the bed caught my attention. 'Morning daddy.'
'Morning Sophia.'
'Where's Dixie?'
'She's making breakfast.'
'Can we go and see her?'
'Of course we can.'
'Yay, I really like her daddy.'
'I'm glad to hear that, I like her too.'
'Dixie said that you are going to have a baby and make me a big sister.'
'Did she?'
'Yes, how does a baby get in Dixie's stomach daddy?'
'Do you want to go and get some breakfast? I believe Dixie is making something special.'
'Yes please daddy. You didn't answer my question, how will a baby get in Dixie's stomach?'
'When a mummy and daddy love each other they decide to make a baby, they get close together and the daddy puts the baby in the special place inside the mummy.'
'Does Dixie have a special place inside her?'
'She does.'
'You'll put a baby in there?'
'Yes, I will.'
'Is that how you made me?'
'It is.'
'Okay, thank you daddy.'
'You're welcome princess.' Sophia seems satisfied now, I just hope that she doesn't repeat anything that I have told her.
Sophia woke up John and we all went downstairs, I let the kids stay in their pyjamas for now, they can get dressed later on. 'Dixie, where are you princess?'
'Kitchen, are the kids with you?'
'Yes, two very hungry monsters are coming your way.'
'Good, you're just in time.' Sophia and John ran into the kitchen. 'Now children, sit at the table and your breakfast will be with you shortly. You too Jeff.'
'Come on daddy, sit with me.' I sat next to Sophia and Dixie put some pancakes on the table. 'Pancakes, mummy says we can't have these except for once a month, it has been ages since we've had them.'
'You can have them now sweet pea.' Dixie put the syrup on the table and sat down with us, she is really going to a lot of effort for Sophia and John, she is going to miss them as much as I will when we have to give them back.
I'm glad that my kids have good appetites, they've already had seconds of the pancakes and some hot chocolate. 'Okay kids, go upstairs and get yourselves ready and don't forget to clean your teeth.'
'Yes daddy,' Sophia and John said together and then left me and Dixie alone.
'They're so sweet Jeff, you should be so proud of them.'
'I am. Dixie, how would you feel about John and Sophia coming to visit again?'
'I'd love it, they're great kids. Do you think that Lucy will agree?'
'I don't know, I hope so.'
'She's coming to get them, she called here earlier. Just talk to her.'
'What time is she coming?'
'Four.'
'That gives us enough time to spend some time with them before they have to leave.'
'It does, I have an idea.'
'What is your idea?'
'You'll see.' Dixie smiled and went to sort out the dishes.
Once the kids were ready we took them to the park, there were a few people around but the soon left so it is just us. Sophia is playing on the swings and Dixie is pushing her, this is what we could have if Lucy will let me have the kids every so often. I'm dreading the conversation, I don't know what I will do if she says no. She knows that I want to talk to her, I haven't said what I want to talk about but I suspect that she already knows. I am serious about seeing them more often, I just hope that she doesn't want to use that against me. It would take a real heartless woman to deprive young children of the chance to see their father. I hope that she can forget about the past and think about what is best for Sophia and John.
I love watching them play, Sophia is fearless, she runs from the slide to the swings and back again. She's always trying to go higher and faster, calling out for Dixie to push her harder. John has come to sit by me and he's watching Dixie and Sophia. 'Dad?'
'Yes John.'
'Sophia misses you, she doesn't tell mum but she tells me.'
'What about you?'
'I miss you too. Do you miss us dad?'
'Yes, very much, I love you and Sophia.'
'I wish we could stay longer.'
'So do I.' I hugged my son and held him as we watched Dixie and Sophia play together.
Once the kids had finished playing we took them home and gave them something to eat. Dixie is helping them pack their stuff, it is going to be very hard letting them go. The time for them to go is approaching rapidly and I really don't want to let them go. Dixie is going to keep them upstairs until I've had a chance to talk to Lucy. I heard the knock on the door and went to answer it. 'Jeff,' Lucy said when I answered the door.
'Lucy.'
'Where are the kids?'
'Upstairs, with Dixie.'
'We have to go.'
'Not so fast, we have to talk first.'
'What about?'
'The kids, I want to see them. They're my kids too Lucy.'
'Right, when are they supposed to see you Jeff?'
'I don't work all the time, I have time off just like everyone else.'
'How are they meant to get here?'
'You know how to drive Lucy, I know how to drive too, if I need to I will meet you half way and we can do it that way.'
'What if I say no?'
'I'm not taking no for an answer.'
'Fine, let me know when you are free a week in advance and we will meet you halfway.'
'I want to have them for a week in the school holidays too.'
'You what?'
'You heard me.'
'Fine, we'll discuss that nearer time.'
'Then we're agreed.' I held out my hand and Lucy shook it, she wasn't too happy about bringing the kids here but she had agreed and that is something.
I met Dixie at the bottom of the stairs, John and Sophia followed her. 'Come here.' I hugged John and Sophia to me. 'I'm going to miss you, but you're going to come and see me and Dixie again soon.'
'Can we really mummy?' Sophia turned to Lucy and she nodded. 'Good, I can't wait to come back again. Can we go to the park next time?'
'Of course we can princess.'
'Yay, thank you daddy.' Sophia hugged me and I held her tight. I turned to John and hugged him too.
'Look after your sister.'
'I will, dad, see you soon.'
'See you soon.' Dixie hugged both the kids and said goodbye, it was hard to let them go but we had to. They would be back again soon, now that I had got a promise out of Lucy I was going to make her keep it.
Dixie turned to me the minute that they left. 'Jeff, did she really agree to let you see the kids?'
'She did.'
'I'm so glad to hear that.' I pulled Dixie to me and hugged her.
'Me too, I just have to let her know when I have a weekend free and she will bring them halfway here.'
'Do you think that she will keep her promise?'
'I think so, Lucy might be many things but I know that she wouldn't lie to Sophia.'
'Good, I'm going to miss them Jeff.'
'Me too, but we'll see them again.'
'We will.' I held Dixie close to me. 'Now then Mrs Collier, what is this I hear about you promising Sophia that she will be a big sister?'
'She asked me were we going to have a baby and I said yes, we are aren't we?'
'We are, we need to get in a little practice first I think.'
'What did you have in mind?'
'I'm thinking of a hotel room with a big bed and just us in it.'
'What else are you thinking of?'
'Now that would be telling, I think I'll keep you in suspense a little longer.'
'Meanie.'
'It'll be worth it.'
'I sincerely hope so.'
'Get your stuff Mrs Collier.' Dixie smiled and went to get her things, we had packed earlier and all that remains to do is to go to the hotel and enjoy ourselves, something I am seriously looking forward to.
