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 and BeethovenRIP for taking the time to review and for supporting me in my writing and everything else... enjoy the chapter... :)


Chapter Forty-Three.

At thirty-six weeks pregnant Hannah was almost at the end of her pregnancy, she was relieved as the babies were heavy and she could feel them pressing downwards and shifting into position ready for the day that they were born. She was sure that it wouldn't be long until she gave birth, the midwives might not even have to induce her if the babies continued to move downwards at the rate they were doing. Hannah wanted to have as natural a birth as possible, she didn't want too much intervention with drugs or surgery if she could help it. The weight of the babies meant that Hannah's back hurt and she spent a lot of her time sat down and resting throughout the day. Hannah had just had a nap ahead of the party for the babies that was going ahead later on. It was likely to be the last time that she saw all of her friends before she gave birth to the twins. Dixie opened the door and Hannah smiled at her when she came in. 'Hey beautiful, are you all right?'

'I am, I think getting a little sleep has helped me to feel better.'

'Good. If you're not up to the party then I can tell everyone to leave it for another day.'

'No, I want to see them all.'

'Okay, if you get tired then it is straight back to bed for you.'

'Bossy Dixie.'

'I just want what is best for you and our little ones.'

'I know you do, if I am tired then I will lie down, I promise.'

'Thank you. I just want you to get enough rest. Are you really all right Hannah? You're really big and it must be uncomfortable.'

'It is, but, it is worth it. Our babies are fully developed and safe now.'

'I wish I could help you to be more comfortable.'

'Having you around helps me Dixie.'

'I'll always be around beautiful, always.' Hannah closed her eyes as Dixie kissed her on the head and hugged her. 'I've checked the bag we packed for when you go into the hospital when you were sleeping. I know it is premature to think that you will go into labour now, but, I just want us to be prepared and ready for when the times comes.'

'That's a good plan, it makes sense, you never know what might happen.'

'Whatever happens, I will be by your side through it all.'

'I know.' Dixie held out her hands to Hannah and she helped her up.

'Come on beautiful, it is almost time for our friends to get here.'

'I know, I am looking forward to seeing them.'

'Me too.' Hannah rested her head on Dixie's shoulder as they went downstairs, she felt happy knowing that Dixie would be there for her throughout the birth.

Polly opened the door to Dixie and Hannah's house as Jeff walked up behind her with Little Abs and Emilie. Cyd was following them and Polly waved at her as she went inside. 'Hannah, Dixie, we're here.'

'We're in the lounge Pol,' Dixie called out and Polly went straight in. 'Hey Polly, it is good to see you. Where is everyone else?'

'Jeff is bringing Little Abs inside, Emilie is with him and Cyd was behind them.'

'I'll go and see him, stay with Hannah.'

'Of course I will.' Polly sat down next to Hannah when Dixie left the room. 'How are you?'

'Tired, I'm all right though.'

'Of course you're tired, you've been carrying the babies for a long time.'

'I don't think I'll be waiting for much longer, I can feel the babies moving lower in my womb.'

'Are you excited?'

'Yes, a bit scared too though. I know that Dixie and my dad will be with me though, having them there will make it all that little bit less scary.'

'You'll be all right Hannah, the midwives will look after you too.'

'They will, they've already gone through the birth plan with me at the last scan.'

'That's good. It'll all be worth it when you get to hold the little ones in your arms.'

'I know, I can't wait for Dixie to see the babies.'

'She's going to be so happy.' Polly smiled, she couldn't wait to give Hannah and Dixie the presents that she had made for the babies, she really hoped that they liked them.

Jeff stayed with Dixie as she stroked Little Abs, Cyd and Emilie had gone into the lounge to sit with Polly and Hannah. 'Dix, how is everything going?'

'Hannah is fed up, she says that she is all right, but, I know that she wants the pregnancy to be over with as soon as possible.'

'I'm not surprised she feels that way, she is very big and it must be hard for her.'

'It is, I wish I could carry some of the weight for her.'

'She has you Dixie, your support is enough to keep her going.'

'I hope so, I am doing my best to take care of her and our children.'

'Of course you are. Dix, you are the best person to look after Hannah and the babies.'

'Thanks mate. How is everything going with Emilie?'

'It is going really well. She loves me Dixie.'

'How could she not? Emilie is a lucky woman. I like her, she has made you happy, I can see it.'

'I hope she is happy with me, I know I have my flaws.'

'Jeff, Emilie is happy, how much time does she spend with you?'

'A lot. Whenever we have the spare time to be with each other.'

'There you go, Emilie doesn't seem like the type to stay with someone that isn't good for her.'

'You're right.'

'Of course I am, don't worry mate. This relationship will work, it is too good for it not to.'

'I remember those words.'

'You should, you were the one that said them to me.'

'Thanks Dixie.'

'Come here mate.' Jeff hugged Dixie and he smiled, she was right, his relationship with Emilie was a good one, it had brought him plenty of happiness in the time that they had been together.

The group of friends sat together in the lounge, Little Abs was sat by Hannah and she was stroking his head. Dixie had made them all something to drink and they were eating sandwiches and cake for their lunch. Polly reached into her bag and she took out the presents that she had made for the babies. 'Dixie, Hannah, the little ones are very lucky to have mummies like you two. I hope that you like them.' She watched Hannah open the present that she had wrapped so carefully the night before. 'There is a set of clothing for each of the little ones.' Polly watched Hannah and Dixie look through the pieces of clothing that had obviously been carefully knitted by Polly. There was a baby grow, booties, gloves, a hat and a scarf for each of the babies. Hannah stroked the soft fabric and she smiled. 'They're beautiful, thank you Polly.'

'You're welcome.' Polly hugged both Hannah and Dixie, she was so very happy that they liked the gifts she had made, she'd been working on them since she found out that Hannah was having twins.

Cyd went over to Dixie and she handed her the blankets that she had made for the babies. 'Dixie, I am happy for you and Hannah, I hope you will use these blankets for the little ones.' Dixie folded out the blankets that Cyd had made and she saw that they had been embroidered with stars in the same silver colour that was on the walls of the nursery. 'Cyd, they're amazing, how long did they take you?'

'A while, I had finished the border when you showed me the paper for the nursery and I just knew what I was going to put in the middle.'

'Thanks Cyd.'

'You're welcome.' Cyd hugged Dixie and she turned to Hannah.

'Thank you,' Hannah said and she hugged Cyd. 'The blankets are gorgeous.'

'I am happy that you think so.' Dixie and Hannah felt themselves lucky to have such talented friends that cared for them. They were touched by the gifts that they had received so far. Hannah was happy that she had been able to see her friends. She had a bit of an ache in her back and in her belly when the little ones kicked or moved, but, it wasn't too bad at the moment. Hannah rested her hand on her belly and she stroked it gently, she found that the babies relaxed more when she moved her hand over her belly and it allowed her to feel more comfortable.

Jeff picked up the gift that Emilie had helped him to pick out before the celebration this afternoon. He thought that it was a great idea and he hoped that Dixie and Hannah thought so too. 'Dixie, Hannah, Emilie helped me to pick this out and it is from both of us.' He handed her the photo album that he had bought. 'There's a voucher inside, once the babies are born you can take them to the studio and they will do a portrait of you all as well as a shoot for the twins. You can use the album to store the pictures in.'

'Jeff, I don't know what to say,' Dixie said, almost in a whisper.

'Lost for words, that's a first Dix.'

'Cheeky man.' Dixie stood up and she hugged Jeff tightly. 'Thank you, it is a lovely idea Jeff.' Dixie let Jeff go and she hugged Emilie too. 'Thank you, for this and for making Jeff happy.'

'You're welcome Dixie.' Jeff listened to the conversation that went on between Emilie and Dixie with satisfaction and he smiled, he liked it that his best friend and the woman he loved were getting on so well. He went to Hannah and he hugged her. 'How are you princess?'

'I'm okay. Thank you Jeff, your present is beautiful and so very thoughtful.'

'I don't have the creative skills that Polly and Cyd do, I had to do something.'

'Jeff, I love your present, you're going to make a brilliant uncle to our babies.'

'Thank you Hannah.' Jeff hugged Hannah again, he was happy that his present was so well liked by Hannah and Dixie. He was pleased that they wanted him to be an uncle to their children, he might not have been able to be a father for them, but, he would always be there for them all whenever they needed him for anything.

Dixie accepted Cyd's offer of help to take the cups and plates back into the kitchen. 'Dixie, how does it feel now that you're so close to being a mum?'

'A mix of scary and exciting all at the same time.'

'You deserve this, you are going to make an excellent mother.'

'Thanks Cyd, I think Hannah is very close to giving birth. Her stomach has dropped a lot in the past few days, the babies are moving down into the birth position.'

'You sound worried.'

'I am, Hannah is going to be in pain, it will be tough to see her suffering.'

'As long as you are there then Hannah will be fine, all she needs is you to hold her hand.'

'I am glad you have faith in me Cyd.'

'I do, I have seen you calm even the most upset casualty. Hannah trusts you and as long as you are there then everything will be fine.'

'I hope so, I don't want anything to happen to Hannah or the little ones.'

'Childbirth is much safer these days Dixie, Hannah and the babies will be all right.'

'I know, I will make sure of it.' Dixie smiled at Cyd and she put the dishes away, she wouldn't let anything happen to Hannah or the babies, she would do whatever it took to make sure that they were all safe during the birth and afterwards too.

Hannah rested on the sofa and she put her hand on her belly, Polly was sat with her and Jeff was sat with Emilie. It was obvious that they loved each other, Jeff was a good man and he deserved to be happy. She remembered when she first arrived at Holby and her mother had turned up, he had hugged her and helped her feel better after the horrible things that she had said. Seeing him happy had made Dixie happy too. A lot of their conversations had been about Jeff, Dixie worried about him being alone. She was a lot happier now that Jeff was with someone and happy. Hannah shifted on the sofa, she was feeling uncomfortable and her back was aching again. She put her hand on her stomach and traced little circles over her bump. Hannah gasped when a pain moved through the lower part of her stomach. 'Hannah, are you all right?' Polly asked with some concern. Hannah breathed deeply to take the edge off the pain. 'I don't think I'm going to need to be induced.' Polly took Hannah's hand in her own and she held it.

'It's okay, we're here. Jeff, go and get Dixie, I'll stay here with Hannah.' Jeff got up and went into the kitchen, Hannah rested her free hand on her stomach, the babies were on their way and she tried to stay calm for them.

Dixie looked up when Jeff came into the kitchen, she saw the look on his face and she started to worry. 'Jeff, what's wrong?'

'Hannah has started having contractions.'

'What?'

'Dix, you have to stay calm, Hannah needs you to be calm for her.'

'Of course, you're right. I need to call the maternity ward.'

'You do that, Polly and Emilie are with Hannah, they will take care of her.'

'Jeff, will you get the bag with Hannah's things in from our room?'

'I will, don't worry princess, we will help you.' Jeff left the room and Dixie took a deep breath.

'Cyd, what do I do?'

'Take a deep breath, call the maternity ward and then see what they want you to do.'

'Right, okay, I can do this.' Dixie took a couple of deep breaths and she picked up the phone, once she had an idea of what she needed to do then she hoped she would feel a bit less nervous.

Hannah heard Dixie give Jeff his orders and her talking on the phone to the maternity ward, she heard the nerves in her voice. Polly and Emilie were sat with her and she was happy that they were with her, it helped her to feel a bit better. Her contractions were still far apart and she knew it wasn't time for the babies to be born just yet. Dixie came into the room and she sat on the floor by Hannah's side. 'Hey beautiful, the hospital have asked me to bring you in so they can monitor you and our little ones.'

'Okay.'

'Jeff has taken your bag to the car and then he is going to help me get you out of here.'

'All right.'

'Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you. Polly, Jeff is going to come with me, will you take the other car with Emilie so he can get back home? Will you phone Lawrence and let him know what is happening?'

'Of course I will.' Jeff came into the room and Polly moved out of the way as he and Dixie helped her up and out to the car. The sooner that Hannah got to the hospital the better, she would need to be monitored throughout her labour. Polly stood with Emilie and Cyd as Dixie and Jeff drove Hannah to the hospital, she hoped that everything would be all right and Hannah and the twins would be safe. She took out the keys to the other car and opened it to let Cyd and Emilie in, once they were inside she took out her phone and called Lawrence with the number that Dixie had left her. He promised her that he was on his way. Polly sent Dixie a message to let her know what Lawrence had said and then she got into the car, she would get to the hospital as quickly as she could.