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 fabulous comments, Dixie is being a bit stubborn in this chapter :)

Chapter Five.

Jeff let Dixie sleep in, she was still feeling the effects of the anaesthetic and she needed to rest, she would wake up when she was ready to. Jeff got himself ready and had some breakfast, he was listening carefully for any signs that Dixie was awake but he heard nothing. He went and sat with Dixie after he had let Little Abs out, once Dixie was awake and he was certain that the effects of the anaesthetic had worn off then he would take him out for a proper walk. Once he'd put Dixie to bed last night he'd read through the information on Dixie's recovery to prepare himself for everything that he needed to do for her. He was aware that Dixie would be stubborn and probably try to do things before she was ready for them, it was in her nature to try and be back to normal as fast as possible. She looked peaceful at the moment, he knew that when she awoke she would be in pain so he'd prepared her painkillers and a glass of water already.

Dixie saw Jeff sat with her as she woke up. 'Morning princess.'

'What time is it?'

'Ten. How are you feeling?'

'A bit groggy still.' Dixie tried to sit up and her eyes screwed up in pain. 'They weren't lying when they said I would hurt after the operation.'

''I have your painkillers, they'll help you. Come here princess, I'll help you.' Dixie let Jeff help her sit up, she wasn't going to make a habit of it but right now she needed his help to move. She swallowed the painkillers and sipped at the water.

'Thanks Jeff, I think I might need you to help me do some things for the next few days.'

'Like what?'

'Sitting up hurt enough, I think bending down and getting dressed might cause me some problems.'

'Okay, I can help you with that, it is why I am here after all.'

'I know I don't usually like asking for help but I need you this time.'

'I tell you what I'm going to do, I'm going to make you some breakfast and bring it to you. What do you want?'

'Just some tea and toast, that's all I can handle right now, my throat is a bit sore, probably from the tube they put down my throat during the operation.'

'Tea and toast it is princess.' Dixie hugged Jeff and leaned back against the pillows, she hated asking for help but she didn't see that she had much choice in the matter.

Jeff put Dixie's breakfast on and set the plate and cup on a tray to take it up to her. He knew that it had taken a lot for her to ask him for help and it was more than likely because she was feeling quite a bit of pain at the moment. The booklet said that she would feel pain from the operation for about four days, he had hoped that the painkillers would take the edge off her pain. Jeff poured the tea and buttered Dixie's toast just the way she liked it. He took it up to her and placed the tray on the bed. 'There you go princess.'

'Thanks.' Jeff watched Dixie eat, she seemed to have a good appetite and he was pleased to see that some of her colour had come back since she'd had some sleep.

Dixie put down the cup and put it back on the tray. 'I feel a bit better now, I want to get dressed.'

'Are you sure? I don't want you to put yourself through more pain than you have to.'

'Please Jeff, I don't want to stay in bed all day.'

'Okay, but at the first sign of pain or tiredness I'm bringing you straight back up here.'

'Deal.'

'What do you want to wear then princess?'

'Something comfortable, I think I have some tracksuit bottoms in there somewhere.' Dixie watched Jeff get her clothing out and he came over to her. 'Come on then princess.' Dixie leaned on Jeff and slowly stood up, she felt a bit of pain but nothing like it was without the painkillers. She was glad that he was there, she wouldn't have been able to get dressed by herself.

'Thank you Jeff, will you stay with me while I clean my teeth and so on, I may need your help again.'

'Of course I will princess.' Dixie smiled, Jeff was being so courteous towards her, needing him to help her do nearly everything wasn't what she had planned but she was glad that he was there.

Jeff stood by as Dixie cleaned her teeth and washed her face, he had to help her with washing her face and putting her moisturiser on as she couldn't quite lift her arms properly just yet due to the left over gas from the operation. 'Are you ready to go downstairs?'

'Yes please, we may have to take it slowly though.'

'No problem.' Jeff held Dixie close as they walked down the stairs, he held her steady and made sure that she wouldn't fall. He put all the cushions on the biggest sofa and helped Dixie to sit down in them. 'I'll just get you a blanket, I don't want you getting cold.'

'Thanks love.' Jeff placed the blanket over Dixie's legs, he just wanted her to be comfortable.

'Is there anything else you need?'

'My shoulders hurt.'

'The booklet they gave me said that they would, they also said massaging them would help.' Jeff sat behind Dixie and lightly massaged her shoulders. 'Is it helping?'

'A little bit, it feels nice.'

'Good, do you feel okay Dixie?'

'I'm okay, I'll tell you if I'm tired.'

'All right princess.'

'Could you get me some water?'

'No problem.' Jeff went into the kitchen and got Dixie her water, he handed it to her and then kissed her head. 'Do you need anything else?'

'I want to see Little Abs.'

'Okay love, Little Abs.' Little Abs came running in the room and sat on the floor by Dixie.

'Hello mate, I am so glad to see you.' Jeff smiled as Dixie stroked Little Abs, she was looking and sounding more like herself, even if she did sound a little croaky.

Tamzin knocked on Jeff and Dixie's door, she'd waited until she was sure that Dixie would be awake and able to see her. 'Hello Tamzin,' Jeff said as he answered the door.

'Is Dixie awake, I'd like to see her.'

'She is, come in.'

'How is she?'

'Sore, I've given her the painkillers and she seems to be in less pain now.'

'Good.'

'Dix, Tamzin is here to see you.' Tamzin smiled as she went into the room, Dixie looked a bit on the pale side but she was sat up and that was a good thing.

'Hi Tamzin, are those for me?'

'Hi Dixie, they are, we all put some money together to get you some flowers and chocolate, there's a card also.' Tamzin gave the flowers to Jeff so he could put them in water. 'Everyone has signed it.'

'Thanks Tamzin, the flowers are lovely.' Tamzin smiled when Dixie read through the card. 'It is nice to know everyone is thinking of me.'

'Of course we are, we all love you.' Tamzin looked up to see Jeff come in.

'I need to take Little Abs for a walk, will you be all right Dixie?'

'I'll be fine.'

'Are you sure, I can always stay.'

'Really, I'll be fine, Tamzin is here.'

'I'll look after her Jeff.'

'Okay, if you're sure.'

'Positive, she'll be fine with me.' Tamzin smiled, Jeff was just being protective of Dixie.

Dixie waited until she heard the front door close. 'How are things at work?'

'Everything is fine.'

'How are you coping?'

'I'm okay, I'm getting used to it. Should you be asking about work?'

'I am going to go out of my mind sitting here for two weeks.'

'I thought you might say that.'

'I know it is worth it because it will give me what I've always wanted but it is frustrating being in pain and having to get Jeff to do things for me.'

'I'm sure he doesn't mind.'

'He doesn't, but on some level I do. I've always been used to looking after myself, Jeff has been a love so far and he's looking after me but I wish I was getting better already.'

'Don't be in too much of a hurry, you need to make sure that you're properly better.'

'I know, it is going to be a while before I can do anything about a baby anyway, I think I'm going to be too sore.'

'Jeff will understand.'

'I know.'

'But you're struggling.'

'A little bit, I have resigned myself to waiting the two weeks until we can start trying again.'

'You will be fine Dixie, everything is okay now.'

'I know, I'm glad, it is a weight off my mind.' Dixie smiled, she really was pleased that she could go ahead and try and get pregnant with nothing stopping her this time.

Jeff had been reluctant to go out with Little Abs but he knew that Tamzin would take care of Dixie while he was out. He knew that Dixie was going to get frustrated being at home for two weeks, he was going to have to remind her that she needed to be careful while she was healing and that was likely to make him an unpopular person. He was going to have to find something to keep Dixie occupied while she was recovering, maybe having Tamzin round on a regular basis would help, she wouldn't feel like she was so out of the loop then. He took Little Abs hone and hung up his lead and went into the lounge to find Dixie and Tamzin talking still. 'I'm back ladies, is everything all right?'

'Everything is fine Jeff, Tamzin was just telling me how she's getting on being in charge.'

'Right, everything is fine.' Jeff sensed that Dixie and Tamzin had been talking about him and they had stopped the minute that he had come in. 'Okay, Dix, I'm going to make us some lunch, is soup all right?'

'Soup will be fine love.' Tamzin stood up.

'I'd better be going, my lunch break is nearly over, I'll come and visit you again when I can.'

'Thanks Tamzin.' Tamzin hugged Dixie and stood up.

'I'll show you out.' Jeff closed the door to the lounge. 'What were you really talking about when I came back?'

'Dixie is struggling a little bit, she wants to have a baby now.'

'I thought she might, I knew that she would find the recovery time hard.'

'Just talk to her.'

'I will.'

'Thanks Tamzin.'

'You're welcome.' Jeff hugged Tamzin and shut the door behind her.

Dixie looked up at Jeff when he came in, he had her flowers with him and placed them on the table so she could look at them. She put her card by them and smiled at Jeff. 'It was nice of them to get me something like this. Want some chocolate Jeff?'

'You'll spoil your lunch.' Dixie chuckled.

'Okay, I'll wait.'

'Tamzin told me you were talking about having a baby.'

'I just want to be a mum Jeff.'

'You will be, but right now you have to get yourself better and then we can try for a baby. I don't want to hurt you Dixie.'

'I know, I just hate waiting.'

'I know you do princess and I promise that once you are well we will try again.' Dixie let Jeff hug her, she felt better having talked to him about the baby and her fears, she wasn't even mad at Tamzin for telling Jeff what they had talked about while he was out. She lay back in the cushions and relaxed, Jeff was right, she would get herself better and then she would do everything in her power to get pregnant and be a mother.