Author: Raven Shadowrose

Rating: T

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, chan. nelson4444 and Carlykinz for your comments, I am glad that you are enjoying this story :)

Chapter Three.

Tamzin sighed as she sat down on her sofa at home after her shift, from tomorrow she was in charge of everything and she hoped that she would make Dixie proud of her. She was more worried about Dixie going in for her operation and the chance that something could wrong than she was about her sudden promotion. Jeff had reassured her that the doctor was hopeful that he could get rid of the blockages that were causing Dixie's infertility. Tamzin had never met a couple that deserved to have a baby more, she had reassured Dixie that everything would be fine at the station while she was recovering and there would be nothing to worry about. Tamzin wished she felt as confident as she had made Dixie believe that she was, she just hoped that Dixie wouldn't come back to half the ambulances missing and the station falling down. Dixie was going to provide her with notes about everything that she needed to remember and do while she was in charge and that helped a little bit, with any luck it would be a quiet two weeks. Tamzin knew that there were other people in the station that believed they could do the job better than her and weren't too happy that they had been passed over. Tamzin had always wondered if she could go for promotion one day, maybe this was Dixie's way of telling her that she could do it. She didn't want to leave Holby though, she had friends here, maybe a full time promotion could wait a little longer.

Jeff was worried about Dixie, her operation was in the morning and she had been awfully quiet all day, Dixie was only ever quiet when she was thinking about something. He had ordered Dixie's favourite takeaway, she wouldn't be able to have anything to eat after this as her stomach needed to be empty in the morning so she could have the anaesthetic. He wished that Dixie would stop working but she was insistent on doing the notes for Tamzin. 'Jeff, will you make sure that Tamzin gets these notes on how to do my job?'

'Of course I will. How are you feeling?'

'Tense, it is so close now.' So that's why she had been doing those notes, Dixie coped with her feelings by focusing on something else, usually work.

'Everything will be all right Dixie.'

'You will stay with me until I fall asleep won't you?'

'Of course I will, I'll hold your hand until you are asleep.'

'And be there when I wake up?'

'Yes princess, nothing will keep me away, I will be there the minute they bring you out of theatre.'

'Jeff, how are you feeling about all of this?'

'Honestly Dixie, I am sorry that it is you that is having to go through this. You do know that I never wanted any of this to happen.'

'I know, neither did I.'

'I don't want to lose you Dixie.' That was what he was really worried about, that something bad would happen, that Dixie wouldn't make it out of theatre. He knew that the chances of the operation going wrong were very small but he was still worried.

'Lose me? Jeff you're not going to lose me.'

'What if something goes wrong?'

'Jeffrey, you are not going to get rid of me that easily. I am going to come through this and I am going to annoy you while I'm recovering. I will have you running around the house fetching and carrying after me.'

'I wouldn't have it any other way.'

'Even when I want chocolate and ice cream and coffee all at the same time?'

'Even then. You are the most important thing in my life Dixie and I will look after you until you are properly better.'

'What did I do to deserve you?'

'You are you Dixie, the most kind and compassionate woman that I have ever met. You look after everyone and now it is time that somebody looked after you.'

'I wish it wasn't this way Jeff, I wish I was pregnant already.'

'I know princess, you will be pregnant because if anyone deserves to be a mother then it is you.'

'You're so sweet Jeff.'

'Only for you princess. I'm going to make you a hot chocolate, it will help you sleep.'

'Thank you.' Jeff smiled and went into the kitchen to get Dixie her cup of hot chocolate.

Dixie thought back over the week, she had let Tamzin shadow her and learn how to do the duty officer's job by her side. She had made notes for Tamzin just in case she forgot anything but Dixie didn't think that she would, Tamzin was a natural at the job. Dixie was pleased that the station would be in good hands while she was recovering. She had been looking for a way to tell Tamzin that she should go for promotion and now she had been given the perfect opening. If everything went well and Tamzin felt comfortable with being in charge then she would give her more chances to be in charge whenever they became available. Jeff would take care of everything at home, she felt lucky to have such a supportive husband. Dixie took the cup that held her hot chocolate from Jeff. 'Thanks love.'

'You're welcome princess.'

'Do you think I should write you some instructions on how to use the washing machine?'

'Cheeky woman.'

'I'm serious, I do not want you flooding the place.'

'I can use the washing machine you cheeky mare.' Dixie laughed and sipped at her drink quietly. Dixie tried to put the operation from her mind, laughing with Jeff had taken her mind off it but the thoughts and her worries about the operation tomorrow were back again.

'Jeff?'

'Yes princess.'

'I love you.'

'I love you too.' Dixie let Jeff draw her into his arms and hold her, she was glad that he was here with her now, he was keeping her calm and relaxed.

Jeff took Dixie's cup from her when she was finished with her chocolate and went into the kitchen. He could sense that Dixie was worrying again and he knew just what to do to help her feel better. Jeff went and sat next to Dixie when he was finished doing the washing up. 'How are you holding up princess?'

'I'm doing all right.'

'Come with me my love.'

'Where are we going?'

'You'll see.' Jeff held Dixie's hand and he took her to their bedroom.

'It's not time for bed yet.'

'I know, I can do something for you to help you relax. Take off your top princess.'

'Why?'

'Because I am going to give you a massage.' Jeff turned around and prepared the bottle of oil that he had bought earlier, he knew that Dixie was a bit shy when it came to undressing in front of him and he thought that it would make it easier for her if he wasn't looking at her when she took her top off. 'Lie down on the bed princess and let me know when you're ready.' Jeff kept looking the other way until Dixie called to him.

Dixie felt Jeff sit on the bed. 'I'm by your right side princess, I'm not going to do anything you don't want me to.'

'I trust you.' Dixie felt warm oil drip onto her back and then Jeff's hands lightly caressing her skin, it felt lovely and calming. 'Where did you learn to do this Jeff?'

'Instinct, I know you Dixie, you hold all of your stress in your shoulders, just relax princess.' Dixie shut her eyes and concentrated on Jeff's hands moving over her shoulders and all of the tension and stress leaving her body. Jeff was being gentle with her, it was amazing how he was making her feel better with just the touch of his hands. 'Jeff?'

'Hush love.' Dixie sighed in happiness and let Jeff continue caressing her skin, he was making her feel like she was the only woman in the world and that he treasured her more than anything.

Jeff felt Dixie relax, the tension that he had been feeling in her muscles had gone. 'Dixie? Are you feeling better?'

'Yes, thank you Jeff.'

'You're welcome my love.'

'I feel a lot better now.'

'Glad to hear it. Put your top back on princess, I don't want you getting cold.'

'Okay.'

'I won't be a moment.' Jeff put the top back on the oil and put in the drawer and made sure that the heating was on, it was important that Dixie was warm, he didn't want her getting sick.

Dixie pulled her top back on and sat on the bed, she felt wonderful, Jeff had worked magic on her tense muscles and she smiled at his thoughtfulness. It didn't change that she was going to have to face the biggest challenge of her life but she felt better about it all. She felt Jeff looking at her. 'You are amazing Dixie, do you know that?'

'Am I?'

'Yes, you're so brave. I'm proud of you princess.'

'Thank you, I am lucky to have you as my husband. Come here.' Dixie wrapped her arms around Jeff and held him, he was her rock and she needed him more than ever at this time. 'Are you warm enough princess?'

'I am, you're holding me, how could I not be?'

'Am I really that warm?'

'Yes, you're my hot water bottle.'

'Are you ready for bed Dixie?'

'Can you just hold me for a while?'

'Of course I can princess.' Dixie felt Jeff's arms wrap around her and hold her close, she felt safe and protected in his arms and like she could face anything.

Despite Dixie's insistence that she was all right and not tired, Jeff could feel her slowly drifting towards sleep. The combination of worrying, a massage and hot chocolate had tired her out, she was trying to fight it but her eyes were closing. 'Goodnight princess, don't worry about tomorrow, everything will be just fine, I promise you.' Jeff gently lay Dixie down on her pillow and just watched her sleep, he was glad that she was sleeping, if she was sleeping then she wasn't worrying about the operation or getting pregnant. He wasn't lying when he said that he was worried about the operation, he hated seeing Dixie in pain. Jeff kissed Dixie on the head and vowed to keep his promise to support through it all, he would be by her side until the day she held their baby in her arms.