Author: Raven Shadowrose

Title: The Ties That Bind

Rating: M

Pairing: Hannah/Dixie, ?/?

Summary: Sequel to Moving On, Hannah and Dixie are about to get married, what events will follow?

Disclaimer: I do not know or own any characters or parts you may recognise from the TV show Casualty, all original characters and the story are mine and I do not give permission for them to be used.

A/N: There will be some femslash in this story, if you do not wish to read it then by all means leave the way you came, other than that, enjoy. I think there's a Casualty episode that is called the ties that bind, this story is nothing to do with that episode. Reviews are welcome :)

Thank you to chan. nelson444, casualtyfanforever and beethovenRIP for taking the time to review, reading your comments definitely makes me happy. I hope you enjoy the chapter and the squish :)

Chapter Thirty-Five.

Jeff had invited Emilie to a picnic in the park, he had met her for coffee again and they'd had a great time. He had asked her if she wanted to meet Dixie and everyone and she had agreed. Dixie was in a good mood as Hannah had just had another scan and it had shown her to be eight weeks pregnant. Hannah was healthy and so were the babies, Jeff saw how happy Hannah and Dixie were about the pregnancy and it made him happy too. Dixie was definitely protective of Hannah, he noticed that Dixie often put her hand on Hannah's now visible belly and hugged her close. Jeff had introduced Emilie to everyone and Polly had taken an instant liking to her, Cyd had welcomed her warmly and so had Hannah. He knew that Dixie wanted to talk to Emilie and he hoped that their conversation would go well. Dixie could be quite intimidating sometimes and Jeff hoped that she wouldn't go too hard on Emilie. He knew that Dixie meant well, she was only looking out for him after all. Emilie was playing with Polly and Little Abs, she was smiling and looked very happy. 'Jeff,' Dixie said and Jeff turned to look at her.

'What is it princess?'

'How are things going?'

'They are going well, Little Abs likes Emilie.'

'I can see that, do you mind if I have a talk with her?'

'Dix, you will be nice, won't you?' Dixie nodded and Jeff breathed a sigh of relief. 'Okay, you can talk to her, just don't scare her off me.'

'As if I would do that. Look after Hannah for me, I won't be long.'

'I will do, don't worry Dix, she'll be safe with me.' Jeff watched Dixie get up off the blanket and go over to where Emilie and Polly were playing with Little Abs. He hoped that Dixie and Emilie would get on well, he just wanted his best friend and potential future partner to be friends.

Dixie stopped in front of Emilie and she saw her look up. 'Emilie, do you mind if we have a chat? I'd really like to talk to you.'

'I don't mind.'

'Polly, could you give us a minute.'

'Yeah, of course I can,' Polly said and she went over to where Jeff and Hannah were sat. Dixie waited until Polly was out of listening range and then she began talking to Emilie about Jeff. 'How is your neck?'

'All healed, it took a good few weeks, but, I'm much better now.'

'That's good to hear.'

'Thank you for helping me.'

'You're welcome. Jeff has been telling me all about the dates that he has been on with you.'

'Is this the conversation where you tell me if I hurt him then you'll break my legs?' Dixie saw the smile that Emilie had on her face.

'Sort of. Jeff told me that he'd told you all about his marriage to Lucy and what happened.'

'He did, I appreciated the honesty.'

'Jeff isn't like that now, he's changed, he's a different man than he was then. Lucy always brought out the worst in him, she cheated on him repeatedly, with his friend, for years. Jeff also cheated on Lucy, I'm not saying that it is right, but, he's not that man now. He did it because he was hurting over her infidelity, it wasn't out of malice. Jeff won't admit it, but, Lucy really hurt him.'

'I know, I understand, sometimes there are people that bring out the worst in us.'

'Emilie, I know Jeff, he's my best friend and I know that he likes you. He is the happiest that he's been in a long time, I don't want to see him get hurt again or lose the happiness that he has found.'

'I like Jeff too, you don't have to worry, I'm not going to hurt him. I haven't been in a relationship with anyone for a while, my last relationship ended badly and I took a break. Being with Jeff has helped me to feel again and that's a beautiful thing.'

'Glad to hear it, Jeff is a good man at heart and he will take care of you.'

'I know he will, I trust him. Can I call you Dixie?'

'You can, welcome to our crazy little family Emilie.'

'Thanks, I want you to know that I really like Jeff.' Dixie smiled, she was satisfied that Emilie would take care of Jeff's heart and that she liked him.

Polly and Cyd had gone off for an ice cream as the day had turned warm and that left Jeff with Hannah. 'How are you feeling?'

'Honestly, a bit tired and I was sick this morning, I know it is normal though, I just hope it doesn't happen too often, I really don't like being sick.'

'I don't think anyone does. How did your dad take the news that you are having twins?'

'He's very happy that he's going to be a granddad twice over. He's even more determined to try and get a job at a hospital nearby now that he knows about the twins.'

'Do you think he will do it?'

'I hope so, it would feel nice to have him around.'

'You have us, we'll look after you until he gets here.'

'Let me guess, you promised Dixie that you would take care of me.'

'I did, I would do it anyway.'

'Of course you would, you're that type of man.'

'What do you think Dixie is saying to Emilie?'

'They're talking about you.'

'Really?'

'Yes, really. She'll be telling Emilie to take care of you.'

'Yeah, you're probably right.'

'Dixie just wants you to be happy Jeff.'

'Emilie makes me happy, she's a nice woman.'

'I can see that, you deserve this happiness, make sure you grab it with both hands. I did with Dixie and look where we ended up; married and about to have children.'

'I know, I'm just taking it one day at a time right now.'

'That's good, you don't have to rush anything.' Jeff smiled at Hannah, he felt happy that he had his friends behind him and supporting him in his new relationship with Emilie.

Jeff was still thinking when Dixie came over to him. 'Hey mate, go and take your lady for a nice walk.' Dixie hugged Jeff and she talked to him as they hugged. 'Emilie is a nice woman, I like her. There's a lovely little secluded spot just over the bridge round that corner, take her there.'

'You want time alone with Hannah, don't you?'

'I do, it would be nice for you to spend time with Emilie too.'

'I'll take the hint, thanks Dixie.'

'You're welcome, mate. Maybe you can get a little closer to the lovely Emilie, Jeffrey.'

'Dixie,' Jeff said quietly, he felt himself turning a bit red at Dixie's words.

'Go on mate.' Dixie let go of Jeff and she sat down on the blanket next to Hannah. Jeff took the spare blanket and went over to Emilie, he held his hand out to her. 'Do you want to come for a walk with me?'

'I'd love to.' Emilie put her hand in Jeff's and he followed the path that Dixie had told him to take. He saw a clearing as they walked over the bridge, the sunlight came through the small gaps in the trees and gave the place a warm glow. Jeff put the blanket down and he sat down against a tree, Emilie joined him and Jeff put his arms around her. He held her close and played with the ends of her hair. 'Emilie, have you enjoyed yourself?'

'I have, it has been a great day.'

'Good, I'm glad.' Jeff sat quietly with Emilie in his arms, it was peaceful and quiet in the clearing and he loved holding her close to him.

Emilie rested her head on Jeff's chest and she felt him kiss the top of her head, his fingers moved up her arm and gently brushed over her neck. Jeff gently stroked her cheek and he moved his hand down so he could slowly tilt Emilie's head upwards until she was looking at him. 'Emilie,' he whispered and brushed his lips softly against hers. Jeff moved away and stroked Emilie's hair, he didn't want to push his luck too much. His fingers moved down her cheek and he traced the outline of her lips with them. Jeff pressed a kiss to Emilie's head and then her cheek, he slowly moved her hair away from her face and looked into her eyes. 'Emilie,' he whispered again. 'Can I kiss you?'

'Yes.' Emilie's voice was quiet, but, he heard her consent to his kiss. Jeff closed his eyes and he slowly and gently moved his lips over Emilie's. He felt her kissing him back and Jeff moved his hand until it settled on Emilie's lower back and he gently pulled her closer to his body as their kissing deepened. Jeff moved out of the kiss and he looked at Emilie, her face was flushed and she slowly opened her eyes. He lay back on the blanket and held Emilie close to him. 'Emilie?'

'Yes.' Emilie's voice was quiet, she sounded satisfied and happy.

'You know I like you, a lot. Will you think about staying with me?'

'Staying with you, how do you mean?'

'I don't mean for sex, I still want to take our relationship slow and steady. I just want you to stay with me, I don't want this day to end. It has been so long since I've had someone that I care about to hold in my arms at night. I'm bearing my heart to you Emilie, I just hope that you won't reject me or think I'm spinning you a line to get you into bed.'

'I don't think that, I'd love to stay with you. It has been a long time since I've had anyone that I care about hold me in their arms.'

'Okay, I'll take you to your house and you can get your things.' Emilie nodded and Jeff stroked Emilie's hair as she lay in his arms.

Dixie stroked her hand over Hannah's growing belly, she only had a small bump that was visible to anyone that was looking for it. 'Hannah, are you feeling better after this morning?'

'Yes, I am. I have a feeling that my morning sickness isn't over just yet though.'

'I'm sorry you're having to suffer with it.'

'It's all right Dixie, it is worth it, we'll have two beautiful babies at the end of it all.' Dixie moved so that she was lying next to Hannah and she stroked her hair. 'You look beautiful Hannah, your skin is glowing and that belly of yours is so cute.'

'I am happy that you think I look beautiful Dixie, even with the morning sickness.'

'You will always be beautiful to me sweetheart and I will be there to hold your hair out of the way and rub your back whenever you need me to.'

'Once the second trimester starts then my morning sickness should stop.' Dixie kissed Hannah's stomach and she softly rested her head on it.

'I love you and our babies Hannah.'

'We love you too Dixie.' Hannah moved her hand over Dixie's hair and she linked hands with her, it had been a nice day and Hannah just watched Dixie rest her head as near to the babies as she could get. It made Hannah smile to see Dixie all quiet and peaceful.

The sun went down and everyone in the group hugged before they split up and went their separate ways, they had spent all day in the park and had gone for fish and chips afterwards. Emilie had enjoyed herself a lot, everyone had welcomed her into their circle and they accepted her as Jeff's potential partner. Polly and Cyd were lovely and talked to her as if she was already a friend. Dixie was very protective of Jeff and though she had given her a talking to about looking after Jeff, Emilie liked her a lot. Dixie only did it because she wanted to see Jeff looked after and Emilie understood just how much Dixie cared for him. Emilie hoped that Hannah would take her up on the offer of babysitting if she ever wanted to go out with Dixie after the babies were born. She had taken Little Abs for a walk with Polly and Jeff and then Polly had gone to bed. Emilie took her pyjamas out of her bag and everything that she needed to get ready. She went into the bathroom and cleaned her teeth, she washed her face and put her moisturiser on. Jeff had offered her the use of the bathroom first and she used the time to calm her nerves, it had been a long time since she had shared a bed with a man. It was innocent, they would just be sleeping, but, she was still a bit nervous. Emilie took a deep breath and got changed into her pyjamas.

Jeff sat on his bed, he was waiting for Emilie and he looked up when she came into the room, she looked cute in her pyjamas. 'Hey, you're ready.'

'I am.'

'Emilie, I usually wear a t-shirt and boxers to bed, will that be a problem?'

'No, it will be all right.'

'Okay, I'll be back soon.' Jeff went into the bathroom and he got himself ready for bed, sharing with Emilie was going to be strange. It had been a long time since he'd had someone in his bed, he thought back over the women that he had shared his bed with, most of the time it was for one night and one night only. Emilie was different, he wanted to hold her close and sleep with her in his arms, he wanted more than one night with her. Jeff looked at himself in the mirror, he had changed as a man from when he was with Lucy. One night with someone was all he could cope with for quite some time. Now, he was different, he knew that he was falling in love with Emilie. He felt it whenever he looked at her, he hoped that she just might feel the same way about him too.

Emilie sat on Jeff's bed, she wasn't sure which side he slept on so she waited for him to come back from the bathroom. Jeff knew about the break that she'd had, it had lasted five long years. She had dated a little bit in that time, but, it hadn't worked out. Emilie thought about Jeff, she enjoyed his company and he made her smile. Jeff made her feel safe, he was warm and his hugs always gave Emilie a sense of being protected and looked after. Emilie smiled, she was falling for Jeff, just being around him made her happy. Jeff came into the room and sat next to her. 'Are you ready to go to bed Emilie?'

'I am, do you have a particular side that you sleep on?'

'I don't mind, you choose.'

'Okay.' Emilie got into the bed and Jeff switched out the main light and he got into the other side of the bed. Jeff touched Emilie's arm and she turned to face him, he stroked his fingers over her arm and then he kissed her gently. 'Come here princess.' Jeff lay on his back and Emilie cuddled up to him, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. 'Goodnight Emilie.'

'Goodnight Jeff.' Jeff kissed Emilie on the head again and closed his eyes, he was happy that she was here with him and falling asleep in his arms.