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 being there since the beginning of Moving On and through this story, this chapter is for you both, I hope you enjoy it :)


Chapter Forty-Four.

Dixie helped Hannah change into her nightgown now that she was in a room at the maternity ward, the midwife and Jeff had left them alone so Hannah could have some privacy as she got changed. Her waters had broken not long after she reached the ward. Now all that remained was to wait for the babies to be born. Once Hannah was in her nightgown Dixie supported her as she lay down on the bed. 'There you go beautiful, are you all right?'

'I think so, it is just a matter of time now.'

'Don't worry, I'll be here with you.'

'I know you will.' Dixie heard Hannah gasp in pain and she took hold of her hand.

'Just breathe, it will be over soon.' Hannah breathed deeply and Dixie stroked the back of her hand until the pain from the contraction passed.

'My contractions are lasting longer now.'

'They are, the babies are well on their way.' The midwife came into the room and Dixie kept held of Hannah's hand as the woman came to stand by the side of the bed. 'Hello Hannah, my name is Rose, I'll be your midwife. Now, I am just going to do a quick ultrasound to check the position of the babies, if you could lift your nightdress up for me.' The midwife placed the gel on Hannah's stomach and she moved the wand on top of it. 'Baby one is head first, that is perfect. It looks like baby two is upside down, hopefully he or she will turn around once baby one is out and there is more room to move in your womb.'

'Is it anything to worry about?' Dixie asked.

'Not at the moment, we would prefer it if the baby comes out head first though.'

'Okay.' Dixie patted Hannah's hand and she kept an arm around her shoulders.

'We are going to put you and your babies on constant monitoring, it will help us to keep a check on them throughout the labour process.'

'All right,' Hannah said and she lay back as the midwife put the electrodes that would monitor the babies onto her stomach. Dixie was happy that Hannah and the babies would be monitored all the time that Hannah was in labour, it would set her mind at rest too.

The doctor came in as the midwife switched on the monitor and the babies heartbeats came through loud and clear. 'Dr Lancaster will put a drip into your arm just in case we need it later.'

'Why might you need it?' Hannah asked.

'Sometimes during a twin birth we might need to restart your contractions after the first baby is out. Having the drip ready means that we can administer the drug right away. It doesn't happen all time and it is just a precaution. We might also need to assist you in delivering the placenta during the third stage of labour and we will give you a hormone injection if it is needed.'

'Okay.' Hannah looked at Dixie as the doctor put the drip into her arm and then left, she listened to the heartbeats of the twins coming through the monitor and it reassured her that they were doing all right during the labour. 'I just need to do a quick examination so we can see how far along you are.' Hannah gave her consent for the examination to go ahead and she felt Dixie stroking her hair during it. 'You're well over half way there, it looks as if your labour is progressing quickly, it shouldn't be too long until your little ones are here. It looks as if you have been dilating steadily for a few days before the contractions started properly.' Hannah sighed in relief, everything was going well so far and she hoped that it would continue to do so.

'Is there anything you can give Hannah for the pain should she need it? Dixie didn't want Hannah to be in any pain if it could be helped.

'Due to the speed at which Hannah's labour is progressing I wouldn't recommend it, gas and air is the safer approach in this case.' Dixie nodded and the midwife continued. 'I will just update your doctor on my findings, I'll be back shortly.' Dixie stroked Hannah's head and she kissed it.

'I wish you could have pain relief sweetheart.'

'It's okay, it is safer for the babies if I don't. You're here and you'll help me.' Dixie looked up when Jeff popped his head around the door.

'Hey princess, Lawrence is here, he wants to know if he can come in. Polly, Cyd and Emilie are here too, how is it going?'

'Of course he can come in. Hannah's labour is progressing quickly, I don't think it will be long now.'

'In that case, I will stay, just in case you need anything.'

'Thanks Jeff, what about Little Abs?'

'Polly dropped him off at home before she came here.'

'Oh good, thanks for staying mate.'

'No problem Dixie.' Jeff went out again and Lawrence came in a few seconds later.

Lawrence went straight over to Hannah and he kissed her head. 'How is everything going?'

'I'm okay, they're keeping a very close eye on me and the babies.'

'Good.' Lawrence took a quick look at the monitor and he satisfied himself that the babies heartbeats were strong and healthy. How are you coping with the pain?'

'Gas and air, it is all that I'm allowed right now. The labour is going faster than we thought.'

'It will be all right sweetheart, you're strong and I know you can do this. Dixie and I will be here and holding your hand all of the time through it all.'

'I know you will, thanks dad.'

'You know I will do anything for my daughter and her lovely wife.' Hannah smiled and Lawrence kissed her head. Dixie watched Hannah and Lawrence with satisfaction, she loved them both and soon their little family would be extended by two. She thought of her mum and she quietly asked her to watch over the little ones and Hannah throughout the birth. All Dixie wanted was for Hannah and the babies to be healthy and make it through the labour safely, she didn't want anything to happen to them.

Hannah's contractions continued to pick up speed and last longer, she was using the gas and air to help her through them. Dixie and Lawrence held her hand and gave her words of encouragement to help her deal with the pain. They also wiped her head with cool water and gave her sips of water whenever she needed it. The midwife and doctor checked on Hannah and the babies frequently, Dixie kept on silently asking her mum to help Hannah through the labour. She hated seeing Hannah in pain, she was in awe of how strong Hannah was. Lawrence had just stepped out to use the bathroom and Dixie stroked Hannah's hair. 'You're doing well sweetheart.'

'It hurts.'

'I know it does beautiful. Just think that we will have two gorgeous babies at the end of this.'

'You're going to be a mum Dixie.'

'So are you my beautiful Hannah.'

'It is going to be worth it.' Hannah took comfort from Dixie's hand moving over her hair and she closed her eyes as another contraction made itself known to her. 'It's okay sweetheart,' Dixie whispered when Hannah gripped her hand. 'Just breathe.' Hannah breathed deeply on the gas and air to take the edge off the pain. She knew that the babies were getting closer to being delivered.

Lawrence came back in and he took up his position by Hannah's side, the midwife came back in with another woman and she examined Hannah again. 'This is Grace, she is going to assist me with your babies. Hannah, you are fully dilated and it is time for the babies to be born. I am going to tell you when to push.' Dixie and Lawrence held onto Hannah's hands. 'Okay, push now.' Hannah pushed down and she gripped onto Dixie and Lawrence's hands. 'Stop, rest a moment, the head is out.' Dixie gently brushed Hannah's hair back from her head and she bathed it with cool water.

'Well done sweetheart,' Dixie whispered.

'Right, push again, slowly this time.' Hannah followed the instructions of the midwife exactly and she felt tears running down her face from the effort and pain of childbirth. 'Relax now, all done.' Hannah heard crying coming from the other side of the room as the baby was checked over by the other midwife. She was barely aware of the pain subsiding and Dixie stroking her hair.

Dixie watched the midwife cut and clamp the cord of their baby, she weighed and measured them and she wrapped the little one in a blanket. 'You have a little girl, congratulations.'

'Is she all right?'

'She is, she's very healthy.' The midwife handed the baby to Hannah and she cradled her close.

'Hello gorgeous, you're going to have a little brother or sister soon. That woman just over there is Dixie, she's your mummy.' Tears flowed down Dixie's cheeks when she heard Hannah call her mummy. 'Dixie, are those happy tears?' Dixie nodded and she held her arms out, Hannah carefully put their baby girl into her arms and she stroked her cheek. 'Elizabeth Jade Darbyshire-Dixon, hello little one,' Dixie said through her tears. 'I love you, so very much, my little princess.' She quietly held onto the little girl and watched as Rose helped Hannah to deliver the second baby.

Lawrence held Hannah's hand as the midwife instructed Hannah in delivering the second baby. 'I am so proud of you sweetheart, you're doing really well.' He wished that he could take her pain away. The second baby had turned at the last minute and now he or she was so close to being out in the world. 'Just one more push Hannah.' Lawrence saw the tears running down Hannah's cheek and he stroked her hair with his free hand. 'Okay, relax.' Hannah lay back against the bed and Lawrence waited for the baby to cry, he saw the midwife using a little suction tube to get rid of the mucus from the baby's mouth and he breathed a sigh of relief when the little one started to cry. 'Well done Hannah, it's all over now.' Lawrence stood back and he let Rose work to deliver Hannah of the placenta, he saw that Hannah was tired and he hoped that she would be able to rest soon.

Grace came over with the second baby cradled in her arms. 'This one is a little boy.'

'Is he okay?'

'He's just fine, I needed to remove some of the mucus from his mouth, but, he has quite the set of lungs on him.'

'Good, thank you. How much did they weigh?'

'Your little girl was six pounds two and your little boy was six pounds eight. They're a decent weight and size for twins.'

'Will they have to stay in hospital?'

'We'd like to keep you in until tomorrow, we'll check you and the babies over and then decide if you can go home or not.'

'All right, thank you.'

'You're welcome, congratulations.' The midwives left the room and Hannah looked down at the little boy that she held in her arms.

'Hello, my little one. Thomas Lawrence Darbyshire-Dixon.' Hannah looked at her dad and she noticed the look on his face.

'You gave him my name?'

'Yes, I can't think of a better man for our son to be named after than his grandfather.' Lawrence put his arms around Hannah and the little boy.

'Thank you, I am honoured.' Hannah smiled and she kissed the little boy that she held in her arms, it had been a long journey for them all and she was so happy to see the babies at long last.

Hannah held Elizabeth in her arms as she fed her for the first time, she was hungry and needed feeding. Lawrence had left to give Hannah and Dixie some time together with their new babies. Hannah felt herself getting emotional and she quietly wiped a tear away from her eyes. 'Hannah, are you all right?' Dixie asked quietly. 'I am, everything we have been through has been so worth it.'

'It has, you look tired Hannah.'

'Once I have fed the babies then I will rest.'

'Good.' Dixie gently took Elizabeth from Hannah and held her close to burp her as Hannah fed Thomas.

'Once we get home, I will express some milk and you can feed our little ones Dixie.'

'I'm looking forward to it.'

'How does it feel now that you're a mum?'

'Amazing, I think I've cried so many times today.'

'Me too.' Hannah gently burped Thomas after he had finished feeding and she held him close until he fell asleep in her arms.

Dixie helped Hannah to lie down and she kissed her on the head. 'Get some rest beautiful. Thank you for loving me and making me a mummy.'

'You know I would do anything for you Dixie, I just want to see you happy.' Dixie kissed Hannah's head and she stroked her hair.

'I love you, my beautiful Hannah.'

'Love you too, my sweet Dixie.'

'Always.'

'Always,' Hannah repeated and Dixie smiled at the sleepiness in Hannah's voice, she sat with her and held her hand until she was certain that Hannah was asleep and getting the rest that she needed. She got up and went outside of the room, she knew that all of their friends would be waiting for news and she didn't want to keep them waiting much longer as it was getting quite late.

Jeff was asleep in one of the chairs, Polly had her head resting on one shoulder and Emilie had her head on his other one. Cyd was with them and she was asleep with her head on Polly's shoulder. Dixie quietly went over and she smiled at the sight of her friends all asleep on each other. She gently touched Jeff's leg to try and wake him up. 'Jeff,' she whispered. 'Jeff, wake up.' He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. The movement woke Polly up and then Emilie and Cyd. 'Hey princess, is everything all right?'

'Everything is fine.'

'Good, how are the babies and Hannah?'

'Hannah is sleeping, she's exhausted. The babies have been fed and they are asleep too.'

'I bet she is. Come on princess, don't keep us waiting, what did you have?'

'We had a little girl and a little boy, they weighed six pound two and six pound eight.'

'Congratulations princess.' Dixie smiled and she hugged everyone.

'You can meet them properly in the morning, for now I want you all to go home and get some rest.'

'What about you Dixie?'

'I'm staying here, there's a pull down bed in Hannah's room for me to sleep on.'

'All right Dix, we'll see you tomorrow.'

'See you tomorrow mate.' Dixie hugged Jeff again and she waved at everyone as they left the ward.

Dixie quietly went back into the room, she kissed the babies on the head in turn and then she went over to Hannah and kissed her head as well. 'Goodnight, my beautiful Hannah. I love you and our babies so much.' She got herself changed for bed and checked on the babies again. Dixie looked at their tiny little hands and feet and gently stroked their cheeks. 'Goodnight, my little miracles. I love you and your mummy Hannah.' She switched out the light and carefully climbed into the bed that she had made up. Dixie closed her eyes and she smiled into the now darkened room, the thought that she was a mummy popped into her head again and she promised that she would look after the babies just as her own mum had looked after her. 'I love you mum, I hope you can see your beautiful grandchildren. Do you know that we named our little girl after you?' Dixie whispered into the room. 'I hope you're proud of me.' Dixie turned onto her side and she held on to the hope that her mum could see the little ones and she vowed to always be the type of mum that would make her own mum proud of her.