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, chan. nelson4444 for your constant reviews and support :)

Chapter Eleven.

Dixie prepared the beds for Sophia and John, they had traded the one that she used to use when it had been her room for two single ones so they could have their own beds. She couldn't wait for the kids to get here, she really missed them when they weren't around. Dixie pulled the quilts up the bed and turned out the light, she went back downstairs and made herself comfortable on the sofa. She was feeling tired after making the beds, she didn't like feeling like this, normally she could do a ten hour shift and not feel as tired as she was feeling right now. She had resigned herself to having to take the iron tablets to make herself feel better, she would do whatever it took to make herself healthy for the baby. Dixie tucked her legs under herself, she decided that resting was a very good idea. She hoped that Jeff had remembered to get some of Sophia and John's favourite foods while he was going to pick them up.

Dixie heard the door open, Jeff was obviously back with the kids, she heard them laughing and giggling together. 'Right kids, go and take your stuff into your bedroom while I go and see Dixie.'

'Okay daddy.' Dixie heard the kids run upstairs and then Jeff came in through the door carrying two pizzas.

'Hi princess, how are you feeling?'

'Tired, making the beds was harder than I thought.'

'Dixie, you should have let me do that.'

'Jeff, please don't feel like you have to wrap me in cotton wool, I might be pregnant but I'm still me.'

'I know that, now that I am back I want you to rest. A few hours ago you were unconscious in resus, I want to look after you, I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you Dixie.'

'Nothing is going to happen to me, I will rest if it makes you feel better.'

'It does, I know you think I'm being daft but I don't want to lose you, either of you.' Dixie felt Jeff's hand on her belly.

'You're not going to lose us Jeff, I promise.'

'All right, I'm going to deal with these pizzas, we have two very hungry kids upstairs.'

'Go on then love, I'll be in soon.' Dixie watched Jeff go into the kitchen, she knew he meant well and just wanted to look after her, it made her feel loved.

Jeff placed the pizza boxes on the side and got out some plates, he put some of the pizza and the fries onto each of the plates. He thought about Dixie, he just wanted to look after her and make sure that she recovered well from her anaemia. She was still a bit on the pale side and the fact that making the beds had tired her out meant that she would need to rest. He would have made the beds when he came back, it didn't surprise him that Dixie had done it herself, she wanted to continue as normal. Dixie always tried to go on when she was ill, she was determined that no cold or illness would stop her, but this time was different, she was a carrying a child now, she had to be careful. Dixie sitting on the sofa was a rare sight indeed, it meant that she knew she was feeling tired and that she needed to rest.

Dixie was still sat on the sofa when Sophia came downstairs. 'Hello gorgeous.'

'Dixie, you're pale, are you ill?' Sophia climbed onto the sofa and sat next to Dixie.

'Only a little bit, I have to take some tablets to help me feel better.'

'What's wrong with you?'

'I have a lack of iron in my blood.'

'The tablets will put it back?'

'Yes, then I will feel better.'

'Good, though I should tell my daddy off for not looking after you properly.'

'It is not your daddy's fault Sophia, this is just something that happened.'

'Okay, I'll let him get away with it this time.' Dixie laughed, Jeff was going to have a hard time getting away with anything when Sophia was around. 'How did it happen?'

'Sometimes things go wrong in your body and it needs a little help to get back on track, that is where medicine comes in.'

'It won't stop you having a baby will it?'

'No, we will still be able to have a baby.'

'Oh good, I want to have a baby sister, I've decided.'

'Then I will do my very best to give you a baby sister.'

'Good.' Sophia snuggled up to Dixie and Dixie put her arm around the young girl.

Jeff called everyone into the kitchen so they could eat, John came in first and then Sophia came through holding Dixie's hand. 'Daddy, I can't wait to have pizza.'

'Your wish is my command my little princess.'

'Come on Dixie, sit next to me.'

'All right sweetie.' Jeff smiled at Sophia and Dixie, his daughter really loved Dixie, he hoped that she would keep her loving side as she got older. Jeff handed the plates of food around and took his own, he really was hungry, today had been a rough day. He loved having his children here, it was the start of what he hoped would be a wonderful fortnight. He hoped that it would not be too hard to let them go at the end of it, for both himself and Dixie. They were going to talk to the kids after dinner, he thought it best to tell them everything on the day that they got here, at least then everything would be out in the open. Jeff satisfied himself that Dixie was eating, she would need to eat to get her strength back up while taking the iron tablets.

Jeff put the dishes in the dishwasher and set it running, he put the pizza boxes in the bin and let Little Abs out into the garden just in case he needed to do anything. Dixie would have taken the kids into the lounge by now, she would have told them that they needed to talk about something. He called Little Abs in and then closed the door. Jeff went into the lounge and found Sophia curled up on the sofa with Dixie, he loved that they were becoming so close, he sat next to John. 'Did Dixie tell you that we have something to tell you?'

'Daddy,' Sophia said. 'What do you have to tell us?'

'We found out that Dixie is going to have a baby, a baby that will be your little brother or sister.'

'Dad?' He wasn't surprised that John spoke up first.

'Yes, what is it John?'

'Does that mean you won't love us now?'

'No, I always love you and your sister. You are my children and will always be special to me, I will always be your dad. I love you both so very much and nothing is going to change that.'

'Okay, dad, can we still play football?'

'Of course we can, I will always make time for you, whenever you need me I will be there. I have enough love in my heart for you and the new baby.' Jeff gave John a hug.

'Thank you dad.'

'You are my son and I am very proud of you and the way you look after your sister.' Jeff felt his son hug him back, he hoped that he had convinced John that he would always love him.

Dixie felt Sophia's head on her stomach. 'Sophia?'

'I am trying to hear the baby, hello baby.'

'You won't hear or feel anything yet sweet pea.'

'Why not?'

'The baby is only about an inch long.'

'How big is that?' Dixie showed Sophia with her fingers how big the baby was.

'That's tiny, I want a baby too, can I have one?' Dixie laughed as Jeff nearly choked on his drink.

'You're too young Sophia, when you're older you can have a baby with someone as special to you as your daddy is to me.'

'Can I hold yours instead?'

'Of course you can, when he or she arrives you can hold him or her.'

'Yay, I am so glad. Daddy, you should look after Dixie, she has my brother or sister in her belly.'

'I will look after her, I promise.'

'Good.' Dixie let Sophia snuggle up to her, she was pleased that the kids seemed to be taking it well. How Lucy would take it was another matter.

Jeff couldn't believe that Sophia wanted a baby, he knew that it was just an innocent child talking. Sophia had always played with dolls and looked after them as if they were real children. He just knew that she would be a good mother one day. Jeff worried about Sophia, she had a good heart and he would hate to see her get hurt. He loved his kids and he was going to make sure that they knew it, he would tell them as often as they needed to hear it. He watched Dixie playing games with Sophia and John on the floor, he'd bought a load of board games for them when they'd started coming to visit. He was pleased that they were still at the age when they wanted to play with games, how long would it last? He hoped it lasted for a long time, seeing them grow up was a scary thought, he knew it was a big and sometimes bad world out there. How long would he be able to protect them from the outside world?

Dixie looked at Jeff, he looked worried about something, she made a mental note to ask him about it later on. 'Okay kids, time for bed.'

'Dixie, can we stay up a little longer?' Sophia tried her best wounded puppy expression.

'You learned that from your dad, he tries that look with me too.'

'Please, I'm not tired.' Dixie smiled as Sophia yawned.

'I think you are.'

'I want to play some more though.'

'We can play tomorrow.'

'You promise?'

'I promise.'

'Okay, I will go to bed.'

'Go on, clean your teeth and get into your pyjamas.' Dixie watched the kids run upstairs, even when they were tired they still found the energy to run upstairs. 'Come on Mr Collier, help me up.' Dixie leaned on Jeff's arm and stood up.

'I think it is time for someone else to go to bed Mrs Collier.'

'But I'm not tired.'

'I think you are.' Dixie smiled at Jeff and took his arm when he held it out. 'Come on my love.' Dixie felt Jeff's arm slip around her waist and hold her close.

Jeff kissed both Sophia and John on the head. 'Goodnight, if you need us then you know where to find us. Don't be afraid to come into our room and wake us up.'

'Okay daddy, goodnight daddy, goodnight Dixie.'

'Goodnight dad.' Jeff and Dixie kissed both of the kids one last time and turned out the light. They went into their own room and got changed for bed.

'Jeff, what is bothering you?'

'Am I that obvious?'

'Yes, so come on, tell me what is on your mind.'

'It is the kids, it's a bad world out there Dixie. When I think of the things that we see every day, it could so easily happen to John or Sophia.'

'Jeff, I know that bad things happen but your children are happy and healthy, focus on that. I know you, you're a good dad and you would never let any harm come to them.'

'What about when I'm not there?'

'As much as I don't like Lucy for what she did to you, I know that she would never let anything happen to those kids.'

'I just worry about them.'

'I know you do, you wouldn't be a dad if you didn't.'

'Maybe you're right.'

'I am, come on love, let's get some sleep.' Jeff let Dixie guide him into the bed, she was right, Lucy might be many things but she would never let any harm come to John or Sophia.

'Goodnight Dixie, I love you.'

'I love you too Jeff, goodnight.' Jeff let his hand settle on Dixie's stomach, he would protect all of his children no matter what it took.