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 reviews and PMs :)

Chapter Twelve.

Jeff and Dixie had got up early to pack a picnic for themselves and the kids so they could spend the day at the park just playing with them and having fun. Sophia and John had been so excited when they found out that they were going out and having a picnic, it was good for them to have the time to run about and just be kids. Jeff was just watching Sophia being pushed on the swings by Dixie, they really were inseparable, it warmed his heart to hear Sophia laugh and be happy. Sophia giggled as Dixie pushed her higher each time, she was fearless and enjoying the game even though the swing was going quite fast. He had no fear for Sophia, she was in safe hands with Dixie.

Jeff's attention turned to John who was playing on the assault course, he was pleased that both of his children were happy and healthy and well taken care of. He was going to make the most of the time that he had with them while they were here. 'Dad,' John called out.

'Coming.' Jeff got up from the bench and went over to his son who was stood in front of the monkey bars.

'Can you help me, I can't reach the bars.' Jeff saw the problem, John's legs just weren't long enough.

'Come on then son.' Jeff picked John up and supported him as he moved along the bars with his hands.

'Well done, one day you will be tall enough to do that on your own.'

'Thanks dad, will I be as tall as you?'

'You just might be one day.'

'I'm going to go and finish the rest of the course.'

'Go on then.'

'Will you watch me dad?'

'I will.' Jeff watched his son run around the rest of the course, he was a natural athlete, it made him happy to be here with his children and Dixie.

Dixie sat on the other swing next to Sophia. 'Dixie?'

'Yes sweet pea.'

'Did my daddy miss us when we went away with mummy?'

'Yes, very much, he loves you both.'

'I didn't want to leave daddy but mummy made us, she said we had to go with her. I like that we can see daddy now.'

'Your daddy likes that he can see you too.'

'Mummy said that we had a new daddy, I didn't want him, I wanted my daddy.'

'Did she?'

'She did, I never forgot my daddy.'

'Sophia, promise me that you will not tell your daddy what you just told me, it would hurt him.'

'I won't, I love my daddy and he is my only daddy.' Dixie was angry, just what did Lucy think she was playing at? She was glad that Sophia hadn't forgotten Jeff or stopped loving him.

Dixie took hold of Sophia's hand and went to see Jeff. 'Daddy, Dixie pushed me on the swing and I went really high, did you see me?'

'I did, you are very brave my beautiful girl.'

'Pick me up daddy.' Dixie let go of Sophia's hand and let her go to Jeff, he picked Sophia up and sat her on his knee. 'Daddy, can we eat soon?'

'Are you hungry my little princess?'

'I am.'

'Then we'll have something to eat.' Dixie picked up the picnic basket and blanket and took it over to the grass while Jeff went to get John from the assault course, she let Sophia help her spread the blanket out and started putting the food out on top of it.

'Dixie can we have cake?'

'You can have cake once you've eaten your sandwiches.'

'Oh good, I like cake.'

'You'll like this one very much then, it is chocolate.'

'I love chocolate.'

'Just like your daddy.' Dixie smiled at Sophia who was admiring the chocolate cake sat in the middle of all the food.

Jeff brought John over to the blanket and sat next to Dixie who was putting sandwiches out onto plates and pouring drinks into the little cups they had brought with them. 'Come on everyone, eat up.' Jeff saw that Dixie was enjoying playing the mum, he left her to it, it was clearly a role that she was born for. He liked seeing this side of Dixie, he wished that he had more chances to see her looking after his kids, he tried not to think about having to give them back to Lucy at the end of the fortnight. 'Jeffrey, eat your sandwiches or you won't get any cake.'

'Daddy, you should do as Dixie says, she means it about the cake.' Jeff laughed, clearly Sophia had already asked for cake.

'I know she does my little princess.' Jeff tucked into his sandwiches and smiled, he decided to put all thoughts of giving the kids back out of his mind for now and just enjoy the time that he had with them.

Once Dixie was satisfied that the kids had eaten their sandwiches she divided up the cake and handed the first piece to John. 'There you go, enjoy.'

'Thank you Dixie.'

'You have lovely manners John.' She hadn't had much chance to get to know John but she was hoping that she would do during this fortnight. Dixie handed the other piece to Sophia and smiled when she thanked her for it.

'Do you think your daddy should get some cake Sophia?'

'Has he eaten all his dinner Dixie?'

'Yes, I think so.' Dixie looked at Jeff who was watching them decide if he should get cake or not, Sophia looked as if she was thinking very carefully about it. 'Then he should have cake.'

'What about you John, should your daddy get cake?'

'Yes, he helped me on the monkey bars earlier.'

'Looks like you get cake this time Jeffrey.' Dixie laughed at the look that Jeff gave her and handed him some of the cake, she cut herself a piece and then settled down to eat it. She had given up chocolate for the longest time and she decided that she deserved a little treat.

Jeff ate his cake and then put the plate with the others so Dixie could put them away in the basket ready for when they went home. 'Daddy, will you play with me.'

'Of course I will Sophia, what do you want to do?'

'I want to play on the swings again.'

'Come on then my little princess.' Jeff took Sophia over to the swings and sat her on them. 'Hold on tight.'

'I will daddy.' Jeff waited until Sophia had a proper hold on the swing and then pushed her. 'Come on daddy, I want to go really high.' Jeff smiled at his daughter's enthusiasm and pushed her a bit harder so she went higher, he pushed her a few more times until she decided she wanted to do something else. 'I'm going on the slide next.' Jeff followed Sophia around the equipment in the playground, he was very happy that she wanted to spend time with him.

Dixie sat with John on the blanket. 'John, your dad tells me that you look after your sister.'

'I do, I'm her big brother.'

'He is very proud of you.'

'I know, I wish that we could see him more, Sophia used to cry because she couldn't see dad.'

'Does she still cry?'

'Not now, she knows that she will be able to see him.'

'Good. You do know that you can call us at any time to speak to your dad.'

'Yes, I do.'

'John, how do you feel about the new baby?'

'My dad seems happy about it, so does Sophia.'

'What about you?'

'My dad still loves us so I am happy.'

'Your dad will always love you John, he always carries a picture of you and Sophia around with him everywhere he goes. I would like it if you would look after the baby like you look after your sister. Can you do that?'

'I can, thank you Dixie, I'd really like to be a big brother to the baby.'

'Then it's settled. I know you will do a good job.'

'I will, you can count on me.' Dixie smiled, she hoped that she had set John's mind at rest a little bit more that he would not be set aside when the baby came along.

Jeff watched Sophia playing until she came and sat beside him. 'Can I have a hug daddy?'

'Of course you can my little princess.'

'I'm looking forward to the baby coming.'

'It is going to be a long time yet Sophia.'

'Are you going to tell mummy?'

'I will tell her when the time is right, can you keep it a secret until then?'

'Of course I can daddy.'

'You're a good girl.' Jeff felt Sophia snuggle close to him. 'A tired girl too if I'm not mistaken.'

'No I'm not.'

'You are, come on my little princess, I think it is time to go home.'

'Can we come back another day?'

'Yes, we can come back another day and play some more.'

'Promise?'

'I promise.' Jeff picked Sophia up and headed back to where Dixie and John were waiting for them.

Dixie looked at Jeff as he came back, he was carrying Sophia who looked to be asleep with her head on his shoulder. 'I take it we're going home.'

'We are,' he said quietly to avoid waking Sophia.

'Bless her, I think the fresh air and exercise has tired her out.'

'I know, let's get her back so she can sleep properly.' Dixie got up and they walked back to the car, she opened the door so Jeff could lie Sophia down on the back seat, John got in the other side and she quietly closed the doors. Dixie noticed that John put his hand in front of Sophia so that she wouldn't fall off the end of the seat while they were moving.

Jeff drove them back to the house and he picked Sophia up again once they had stopped. 'Come on my little princess, let's put you in bed.' Sophia hadn't woken at all during the journey so she really must be tired. Jeff opened the door to Sophia and John's room and he pulled back the covers with one hand, he put Sophia gently in the bed and kissed her on the forehead. 'Rest well my little princess.' Jeff turned to see Dixie stood in the doorway watching him. 'Is everything all right Dixie?'

'You are a very good dad Jeff, I can't wait for us to have our own child.'

'I know.' Jeff put his hand on Dixie's stomach. 'There's a little me or a little you in there.'

'Another you, how will the world cope?'

'Hey, cheeky woman.'

'You love me for it.'

'I do indeed.'

'You have wonderful kids Jeff, I love having them here.'

'So do I princess.' Jeff looked at the sleeping Sophia one last time and closed the door.

'We'll have to make sure the kids get in the bath later on, they've been running around all day and are likely to be filthy.'

'You are going to be a very good mother Dixie.'

'I hope so.'

'You will be, I know it.' Jeff leaned in and kissed Dixie, he loved this woman and wanted to make sure that she knew it.

Dixie went back downstairs with Jeff, she had really enjoyed herself today being at the park with the kids and Jeff. Never in her life would she have thought that marrying a man and looking after children would make her feel so complete. Jeff was one of a kind, nobody else could replace him, he had given her the greatest gift that anyone could, the chance to be a mother. She loved him, it still felt strange to say it from time to time but she knew that it was true. Dixie was looking forward to the day that they would hold their own child, that day would make everything worth it.