Author: Raven Shadowrose

Rating: M

Pairing: ?/?

Summary: Sequel to Epiphany, Jeff and Dixie are trying to have a baby, what happens when it is likely to be more difficult than they first thought?

Disclaimer: I do not know or own any of the characters from Casualty, any original characters and the story are my property and I do not give permission for either of them to be used.

A/N: This is a direct sequel to Epiphany, please read that first to understand this story :) Reviews are welcome :)

Thank you to BeethovenRIP, olivia. c. king1 and chan. nelson4444 for your reviews and support throughout the story. Thank to everyone that has read, favourited, followed and reviewed this story. I hope you all enjoy this last chapter.


Chapter Fifty.

Jeff was holding Sam in his arms and rocking him as he walked around the lounge, Sam was fussing a little bit and Jeff had found that walking around with him in his arms calmed Sam down. He had found that out quite by accident one day and he had been using it ever since. Sam had just been for his injections and Jeff had every reason to believe that it was the reason why he was fussing. 'It's all right Little Bug, it's over now.' It had been hard for Jeff to watch his little boy crying over being given his injections but it had been even harder for Dixie. Jeff looked up as Dixie came into the lounge. 'Hey princess.'

'Is Sam all right?'

'He's fine, just a little bit fussy.'

'I thought he wasn't going to stop crying when they put the needle in him, I felt so bad about putting him through that.'

'It is for his own good though Dixie.'

'I know, I just wish that they could do it painlessly.'

'Of course you do princess. Why don't you hold him for a while?'

'Yeah.' Jeff handed Sam to Dixie and he smiled at her. 'He seems a bit sleepy.'

'They said he might be, he'll be all right. I'm going to go and see the kids, make sure they're ready to see their Auntie Margaret and Cousin Jamie, I'll be back soon.'

'All right.' Jeff went upstairs, he wanted everything to be perfect it had been a long time since he had seen his sister and nephew.

Dixie looked down at her son, she'd hated putting him through the injections even though they were for his own good. Sam had cried even though she had been holding him and it hurt to think of him being in pain. 'I'm sorry my little man, mummy just wants the best for you though. You're my brave little boy.' Sam seemed more settled than he had before, it looked as if he was already getting over the shock of the injections. Dixie rested her hand against Sam's forehead and she checked his temperature just in case he was getting a bit of a fever from the active virus in the injection. 'My Little Bug, I love you.' Dixie gently kissed Sam's head to avoid waking him and she put him in his basket, she knew that he still had some more injections to come and that he would probably cry again. She sat down and watched Sam as he slept, with any luck he would be more like his usual self later on.

Jeff knocked on Sophia's door and waited until she said that he could come in, Dixie had made him promise that he would knock before entering Sophia's space. She was growing up and Dixie insisted that it was important for young girls to have their own private space and to be alone when they needed it. Jeff sat down on Sophia's bed, he was trying to make time for both her and John so they didn't feel left out. 'Sophia, are you looking forward to seeing your Auntie and Cousin?'

'I am, Auntie Margaret used to bring me chocolate.'

'So you remember her then?'

'Yeah, she's nice. I don't remember what she looks like though.'

'You were quite a bit younger when you last saw her.'

'Is she coming to see Sam?'

'She's coming to see you too.'

'Daddy?'

'Yeah, my little princess.'

'Can I have a hug?'

'Of course you can.' Jeff smiled when Sophia sat on his knee and cuddled up to him, she hadn't done that in a long time. 'When did my little girl get to be so big and grown up?' Jeff stroked Sophia's hair and kissed her head. 'Come on my little princess, your Auntie and Cousin will be here soon, will you go down to Dixie and wait for me?'

'Okay daddy,' Sophia said and jumped up, Jeff heard her running down the stairs to sit with Dixie.

Once Sophia had gone down to Dixie he went into John's room and found John waiting for him. 'Dad, is it nearly time for Auntie Margaret and Jamie to get here?'

'Yeah mate, it is.'

'Can I play football with Jamie in the garden?'

'Of course you can.'

'Thanks dad.' Jeff smiled as John picked up his football and held it in his hands.

'You and Jamie always got on well, I remember him teaching you to balance the ball on your head. You practised for hours to get it right.'

'I can still do it.' John picked up the ball and balanced it on his head.

'So you can.' Jeff put his arm around John's shoulders and guided him out of the room to where Sophia and Dixie were waiting for them.

Dixie heard the knock at the door as Jeff and John came through into the lounge together, she was reminded at how alike they were when they were together. Sophia jumped up and ran to let Margaret and Jamie in. Dixie wondered what Jeff's sister and nephew would be like, would they like her? From what she had heard, Dixie thought that Margaret sounded a lot like Jeff and Jamie sounded nice. Dixie looked up when Sophia brought a woman and a young man in with her, the woman had Jeff's eyes and Dixie wondered if that particular colour ran in the family. Jeff stood up and hugged Margaret and then Jamie. 'Margaret, Jamie, I'd like you to meet my wife, Dixie Collier.'

'Hello,' Dixie said and smiled at both of the people that stood in their lounge.

'Hello Dixie,' Margaret said and Dixie was surprised to hear that she was a lot quieter than Jeff. Dixie shook hands with both Jamie and Margaret and then she went to put the kettle on for tea.

Whilst Dixie was putting the kettle on for tea Jeff picked Sam up and handed him to Margaret. 'Jeff, he's adorable, he reminds me of Sophia and John when they were little. I can't believe how much they've grown up.'

'I know, I was thinking that earlier.'

'They look happy.' Jeff looked out of the window at Sophia and John who were playing with Jamie outside.

'I think they are, they seem to be.'

'You know that you're a good dad Jeff, the kids love you.'

'Yeah, I have to be, me and Dixie are all they've got right now.'

'How is Lucy getting on?'

'All right, I think, the kids have talked to her but she doesn't want to speak to me.'

'Don't worry about it, if she wants to come around then she will do in her own time. How are Sophia and John coping with a new baby in the house?'

'They're doing all right, I've been spending time with them and Sam.'

'I remember when you were born Jeff, I asked mum if she could send you back.'

'Charming,' Jeff said with a smile. 'How is Richard?'

'I don't know, I haven't spoken to our brother in quite some time.'

'Oh, I haven't either.'

'He isn't exactly the nicest person in the world, especially when it comes to Jamie.'

'What do you mean?'

'Jamie will have to tell you that himself.' Jeff wondered what Margaret meant, but, he didn't push it, when Margaret had made her mind up not to tell you something then she stuck to it.

Dixie took the tea into Margaret and Jeff, she had left Jamie with the kids in the kitchen, they were eating cake and drinking juice. She put the cups down on the table and then sat next to Jeff. Dixie sipped at her own tea. 'Jeff tells me that you're a paramedic like him Dixie.'

'I am, I'm also his boss.'

'I bet he loves that, our Jeffrey isn't one for taking orders.'

'Tell me about it,' Dixie said and laughed.

'Are you two going to gang up on me?'

'What did you think would happen dear brother?' Dixie chuckled and kissed Jeff on the cheek.

'He knows who wears the trousers in this house and at work.' Dixie laughed again and Jeff glared at her.

'Typical women.'

'I can tell your wife plenty of stories Jeffrey Collier,' Margaret said with a smile.

'Oh please do.' Dixie rubbed her hands together and she smiled at Jeff who was still playfully glaring at her.

Jeff was relieved when the kids and Jamie came in and joined them all, it meant that he was safe from Margaret telling Dixie tales about his younger days, for now anyway. Jamie and John were still chattering away about football and he heard Jamie promise to take John to a match when he wasn't so busy with college and doing his training. Sophia had gone over to Margaret and was sat on her knee and they were talking about school and the subjects that she liked doing the best. Jeff just watched them all talking and he felt Dixie squeeze his hand, he looked over and smiled at Dixie who smiled back at him, he really was happy that inviting Margaret and Jamie over had gone so well. He wondered what it was that Richard didn't approve of about Jamie being a nurse, surely he should be happy that his son had chosen a career that was all about helping other people. Jeff was confused, he felt like he was missing something about the whole situation.

Once the tea had been finished, Jeff took the cups into the kitchen and put them in the sink, he heard the door open and turned to see Jamie stood there. 'Uncle Jeff.'

'All right Jamie, how is your dad?'

'His usual self, I guess.'

'I take that isn't a good thing?'

'No, it isn't, he doesn't approve of me being a nurse.'

'You know that I'm proud of you, right?'

'Yeah, so is Auntie Margaret and my mum.'

'Good, just remember that.'

'I will. I like Dixie, we had a nice chat earlier, wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her though.'

'That is something for you to remember as well, Dixie is no pushover.'

'I can see that. There is a chance I might be starting at Holby soon, I'm waiting for my placement to come through.'

'Oh, I didn't know that. Another Collier, I'd better warn all of the nurses to look out.' Jeff saw Jamie smile half-heartedly and Jeff just looked at him. 'Is there something that I don't know?'

'Sort of, Dixie told me that you would be all right with it so I'm just going to say it. Uncle Jeff, I'm gay.'

'Is that what Margaret said I would have to ask you about?'

'Yeah, she knows about me. My dad doesn't know though, I know that he would hate me for it.'

'It doesn't change anything, you're still my nephew and I'm still proud of you.'

'Thanks Uncle Jeff.' Jeff hugged Jamie, he was very proud of his nephew and everything that he had achieved so far.

Dixie laughed to herself as Margaret told her some of the stories of what Jeff had got up to in his youth. 'When he came back with that tattoo our father gave Jeff the biggest smack round the head that I've ever seen. I remember Jeff thinking that he was so cool because he'd had it done, he gave me his pocket money as a bribe so that I wouldn't tell dad.'

'That sounds like Jeff.'

'He's always been cheeky and very forward, I don't think that there is any woman that can resist those blue eyes of his.'

'Sam has those eyes too.'

'I noticed that, he'll probably take after his dad.'

'I'd better warn the world,' Dixie said and chuckled. 'Jeff is a good man, I do hope that Sam will take after his dad just like John has.' Margaret nodded her agreement.

'As much as I like to tease my brother it is nice to see him happy and settled. I can tell that you love him Dixie.'

'I do, very much.' Dixie and Margaret looked up when Jeff and Jamie came back in from putting Sophia, John and Sam to bed.

'What have you ladies been talking about?'

'Stuff.'

'That's what worries me.' Dixie laughed and she kissed Jeff on the cheek, she would keep him in suspense for a little while longer yet.

Jeff and Dixie both hugged Margaret and Jamie at the door. 'Don't be a stranger Margaret, it will be nice to see you from time to time.'

'You too little brother. Keep me informed on everything the kids do, I want lots of pictures.'

'You got it.' Jeff let go of Margaret and he turned to Jamie. 'Let me know when you get your placement.'

'Don't you mean if?'

'No, I don't, you'll get it.' He saw Jamie smile and Jeff hugged him again. 'Remember, we're all proud of you.'

'I know, thanks Uncle Jeff.' Jeff and Dixie both waved at Margaret and Jamie as they drove away and then Jeff closed the door behind them.

Dixie turned to Jeff once they had shut the door, she took his hand in hers and led him upstairs. She quietly went into their bedroom and closed the door behind them. 'Did the kids get to sleep all right?'

'Yeah, they did.'

'Good.' Dixie checked the monitor to make sure that she would hear Sam if he needed them during the night.

'Dixie.'

'Yeah love.'

'You make me happy, I just want you to know that.'

'You make me happy too Jeff.'

'Thanks for saying to Jamie that I would understand about him being gay.'

'He told you?' Jeff nodded and smiled.

'He did.'

'He's a nice boy, I hope he gets his placement.'

'Of course he will, he's a Collier.' Dixie smiled as she got changed for bed, it had been nice meeting Margaret and Jamie and she was looking forward to seeing them again. Dixie thought about everything that she had faced with Jeff and she smiled, she had the family that she'd always wanted and she owed it to the man that she loved more than anything.

Jeff felt Dixie snuggle up to him when they got into bed. 'Jeff, thank you.'

'What for?'

'For giving me everything that I've ever wanted.'

'How do you mean?'

'You've given me love and you make me feel cared for. You've also given me the chance to be a mum and to know what it feels like to have my own child. I love you.'

'Love you too princess.' Jeff just held Dixie close to him and stroked her hair. 'I feel the same you know, having you love me makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world.'

'Awww Jeff, are you going all sentimental on me?'

'Maybe a little bit. Is that a bad thing?'

'No, not at all.'

'I think I know how we should celebrate our happiness.'

'What way would that be?'

'How about we start practising for the new kid?' Jeff heard Dixie chuckle in the darkness and he laughed with her. Jeff's mind drifted over the long journey and the trials that he had faced with Dixie to get to where they were now and he came to the conclusion that it had all been worth it. Jeff and Dixie had been blessed with Sam and Sophia and John, the beautiful children that made their lives complete, they are family and they always will be.