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 and chan. nelson4444 for your reviews and support, swimming time ladies, get your costumes :)

Chapter Fourteen.

Dixie put her and Sophia's things into the locker and locked it, she attached the key to her wrist. 'Come on then sweet pea, let's go swimming.'

'Yay, I can't wait.' Dixie felt Sophia's hand slip into hers and they walked together to the pool. 'Can we wait until daddy comes out so I can show you both my diving?'

'Of course we can, we'll get in and then when your daddy comes in you can show us what you can do.'

'Yay, thank you Dixie.'

'You're welcome lovely.' Dixie climbed in to the water, it was a bit cold but she would get used to the temperature soon, she smiled as Sophia jumped straight into the deep end and swam over to her.

'I like swimming Dixie, do you like my costume?'

'I do, it suits you.'

'I said that I wanted the blue one, mummy said I should get the pink one but I don't like pink.'

'I don't like pink either Sophia, the blue one is a much better choice.'

'Yay, I am glad you think so. There's daddy.' Sophia waved at Jeff and John and they came over to them. 'What took you so long daddy, we've been waiting for you.'

'Sorry my little princess, we're here now.' Dixie laughed as Jeff slowly lowered himself into the water.

'Is the water cold Mr Collier?'

'Just a bit.'

'You wuss, it is lovely.'

'I'll give you lovely Mrs Collier.' Dixie turned her back as Jeff splashed her with a load of water.

'I am so going to get you for that Jeffrey, you're in so much trouble.' Dixie laughed as Jeff suddenly found himself covered with a lot of water from behind him. She looked at Sophia and John who were giggling away to themselves at what they had just done to their dad, he wiped his eyes and then splashed them back. Dixie was delighted that they were having such a good time having a water fight, Jeff was such a big kid when it came to playing.

Jeff was so pleased that John and Sophia were having a good time while they were swimming. 'Daddy, can I show you my diving now?'

'Of course you can my little princess.' Jeff watched Sophia climb out and execute a perfect dive into the pool, he was so proud of her, she swam over to him and held onto the wall.

'What did you think daddy?'

'You're very good, I think we'll see you in the Olympics when you're older.'

'Do you think so?'

'I do indeed.'

'Yay, thank you daddy.' He smiled, he loved Sophia's enthusiasm, he was glad that she had grown up to be such a talented little girl. 'Come on John, race with me. Daddy, will you and Dixie tell us who wins?'

'Of course we will my little princess.'

'Okay, you set us off and when we get back to this end you can tell us who won.'

'Ready, set, go.' Jeff watched as Sophia and John started to race down to the end of the pool.

Dixie loved watching Sophia and John, they were full of life and it made her smile. 'Jeff, you have wonderful kids, I know I've said it before but I believe it needs saying again.'

'I know, I am so proud of them.'

'I can see that, it is in your eyes every time you look at them.'

'I love them so much.'

'I can see that too.'

'You're looking much better today Dixie, your colour has come back.'

'I feel much better, it appears my tablets are working.'

'I am glad to hear it, I don't like you being unwell princess.'

'I know, you're a lovely man Jeff.' Dixie leaned in and kissed Jeff, he really was a lovely man, she loved him a lot.

Jeff felt a lot of water fall over his head, he pulled away from Dixie and saw John and Sophia laughing at them. 'Daddy, you were supposed to tell us who won the race and yet you were kissing Dixie.'

'Sorry my little princess.'

'You can just buy me chocolate to make up for it.'

'She's got you there Jeffrey.'

'Dixie, have you been teaching Sophia your tricks?'

'Maybe a little bit, though I have a feeling this is her doing.'

'Yeah right, you ask me to buy chocolate when you think I've done something wrong.'

'No daddy, Dixie didn't teach me that.'

'What did she teach you?'

'Nothing.' Jeff laughed, he knew that Dixie had been teaching Sophia some things, he supposed there were worse people for Sophia to learn from. It would mean that he was in for some inventive punishments from his daughter.

Dixie watched the kids race a few more times, they were very well matched in their speed and it was hard to tell who was winning each race. 'You're both excellent at swimming, I think you both deserve pizza after this.'

'Yay, thank you Dixie.' Dixie smiled at Sophia and put her arm around the little girl. 'I like going swimming with you and daddy.'

'We like going swimming with you too.'

'I like swimming,' John said.

'Do you like pizza too John.'

'I do, I like spicy chicken best.'

'Then that is what you will have. We might even have ice cream too.' Dixie smiled at the expression on the faces of the kids, they looked really happy at the prospect of ice cream.

Jeff and Dixie took the kids to get changed and dried off and they all met outside the baths. 'Is everyone ready for pizza?' Jeff covered his ears as the kids cheered. 'You are excitable today.'

'We just want pizza daddy.'

'Then pizza you shall have my little princess.' Jeff opened the door to the pizza shop and the woman showed them to a table. 'Come on kids, sit down.' Jeff let Dixie herd the kids into seats and he went to the bar to get them all something to drink, he put the glasses down on the table. He'd bought them all coke as he was still avoiding drinking to support Dixie while she was pregnant. 'What do you want kids?'

'Spicy chicken,' John clearly hadn't changed his mind since the baths.

'Cheese and tomato.' Sophia had loved cheese and tomato since she was a little girl. Jeff put the order for the pizza that they wanted and watched Sophia and John drink their drinks. He'd ordered pepperoni for himself and Dixie, they always had pepperoni, it was their favourite.

Dixie ate her pizza, she loved pizza, it was nice to have time out with the kids and Jeff. She was amazed at the kids table manners, for kids so young their manners were impeccable. 'Hey kids, Tamzin is coming over for tea tomorrow, do you remember her?'

'Yes,' Sophia said. 'She has pretty hair and eyes, she made mummy send us here for the big party at your house.'

'That's her.'

'I like Tamzin, she's lovely, I can't wait to see her again. Is she still with the man from the party?'

'Tom, yes, she's still with him, he loves her and she loves him.'

'Awww, yay, it is so romantic.' Dixie smiled at Sophia, she was so happy and full of life, she really hoped that she kept those qualities as she got older. 'Is Tom coming with her?'

'No, Tom has to work, he's being a doctor tomorrow.'

'That's very important, he has to look after the ill people.'

'Yes, he does.' Dixie loved that Sophia understood the importance of doctors and their jobs.

Jeff took John and Sophia to get some ice cream, he saw their eyes widen as they saw the massive choice of ice cream that they had. 'Come on then kids, pick what you want.' He helped them put their ice cream and toppings into a bowl and then sent them back to the table. Jeff put Dixie's favourite into a bowl; chocolate ice cream with smarties and fudge syrup, she always had the same no matter what. His own favourite was much more complicated; chocolate and strawberry ice cream with chocolate buttons, golden syrup and then vanilla ice cream on top. He took both bowls back to the table and then put Dixie's in front of her. 'Thanks Jeff.'

'You're welcome princess.'

'How do you eat that?'

'It is gorgeous, you should try it sometime.'

'No thank you, I will stick to my favourite.'

'Each to their own princess.' Jeff tucked into his ice cream, Dixie really didn't know what she was missing out on.

Dixie helped the kids put their coats on and took them outside while Jeff paid the bill, she had really enjoyed herself today. 'John, did you have fun?'

'Yes, thank you Dixie.'

'You're welcome.' Dixie had come to realise that John was quite shy and quiet compared to his sister who was louder and more forthcoming, she made a mental note to include him in the conversation more and ask him questions. 'Are you enjoying seeing your dad?'

'Yes, it is fun, I am having a good time.'

'Good, we are really glad to have you here with us.' John smiled at her and Dixie smiled back, he was a lovely boy and looked a lot like Jeff when he smiled.

Jeff followed Dixie out of the shop. 'Are you ready to go home kids?'

'What will we do there daddy?'

'I'm going to play football with John in the garden for a little while.' Jeff noted that John looked happy with this.

'Just watch those windows Jeffrey Collier.'

'Yes, my lovely wife.'

'Dixie is going to teach me to knit daddy.'

'Is she?'

'Yes, I want to make little clothes for the baby.'

'Good, that will be lovely my little princess.'

'I will have lots and lots made by the time the baby is here.'

'Come on then, let's go home.' Jeff took hold Sophia's hand and together they walked back through the streets to the car. He looked at Dixie walking and talking with John, his son was very shy but he seemed to get on well with Dixie and talked to her a lot. He was very pleased that John seemed to be coming out of his shell with Dixie and he hoped in time that it would happen with everyone else around him too.