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, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Seventeen.

Dixie took over from Tamzin the minute she got back, the young woman had done an excellent job once again. It was nice to come back to a well organised office, she had to do some work on the rotas but it wasn't bothering her as it was a slow day and it was keeping her occupied. She looked up as Tamzin came in and handed her a cup of peppermint tea. 'Thanks Tamzin, just what I need, you're a lifesaver.'

'Is anything wrong?'

'I'm starting to feel a bit sick, it is all normal though. I had hoped I would avoid the morning sickness but it appears my body has other ideas.'

'Have you told Jeff?'

'No, he'll only fuss over me. He's been a bit protective lately, I think it is because the kids went home.'

'How is he dealing with it?'

'How he always does, he pretends he's fine but I know different.'

'It must be hard for him.'

'It is, I wish there was something I could do to make it so the kids didn't have to go home.'

'How are you feeling?'

'I miss them too, it is always so much quieter when they go home.'

'No wonder you're both so quiet.'

'We are?'

'Yes, usually you're always laughing and joking. If you want me to go and kidnap the kids in the ambulance and bring them back here just say so.' Dixie smiled, Tamzin was a sweet girl and she had become a brilliant paramedic, she had so much potential.

Jeff busied himself with checking the ambulance, he knew it was already fully stocked but he had to do something to stop himself from thinking about the kids and how much he missed them. He really wished that he could see them again, talking to the helped but it seemed too far away until their next visit. Jeff sat down on the back step of the ambulance and took out his wallet, he looked at the picture that Dixie had got for him. The picture reminded him that they'd had a good time together in the fortnight that had just passed. The only thing that was keeping him going throughout the day was the knowledge that he would be able to talk to John and Sophia when he got in from work, there wasn't long to go but every minute felt like it was taking forever.

Sophia sat in her room at home, she didn't want to be there, she was missing her daddy. Her mum didn't understand, she had sent her to bed to have a nap. She wasn't tired, she just wanted to be back with her daddy and Dixie. Sophia wondered what her daddy was doing now, he was probably at work with Dixie and Tamzin saving lives of kids like herself. She looked out of the window, she wished that she could be with her daddy. 'Sophia,' her mum called. Sophia sighed, she wasn't happy here now. 'Sophia, tea.' Sophia turned around when Lucy came in. 'Didn't you hear me?'

'I did.'

'Then why didn't you come downstairs?'

'I don't want to.'

'Honestly, two weeks with your dad and his horrible wife and you've changed.' Sophia folded her arms and glared at her mum, she hated anyone insulting her dad and Dixie. 'Now come downstairs, your dad is home.'

'He's not my dad,' Sophia muttered.

'I beg your pardon, young lady.'

'I said, he's not my dad. My dad lives in Holby and he's a brave man.'

'I could tell you many things about the man you call dad Sophia. Now, last time, come downstairs and say hello to your dad, you will call him dad, is that clear?'

'No, I won't.'

'Fine, you won't have any tea or talk to Jeff tonight until you apologise for what you said about your dad.'

'I hate you.'

'You're entitled.' Sophia sat down on her bed, she would never call that man downstairs dad, he was not her dad and never would be. She hated being here, she wanted to be back with Dixie and her daddy. She pulled her tongue out at her mother as she walked out of the room, she would not apologise, she meant everything that she had said. Sophia stood up and looked out of the window again, she didn't want to be here.

Dixie sipped at her peppermint tea, it was settling her stomach, she sighed in relief as her sickness started to disappear. She knew that if it got worse then she would have to tell Jeff, if she didn't tell him then he would only get mad when she did eventually start being sick. As long as she kept drinking the tea then she could get through the day. She went out into the garage and watched over all the people walking around and doing their jobs. Tamzin and Jeff were talking to each other in front of one of the ambulances, she wondered what they were talking about, probably Sophia and John. She watched everyone, she was proud of them all, they did a very difficult job and every day she was reminded how special each of the people she worked with were.

Tamzin stood with Jeff, he had been talking about the kids, she could see how much he loved them. He'd told her all about the time they had spent together in the fortnight that they were here. 'You miss them.'

'Yes, I do. I'm worried about Sophia, she really didn't want to go home this time.'

'She's a lovely girl Jeff.'

'Thanks Tamzin.'

'I mean it, you should be so proud of her.'

'I am, she's so clever and so pretty.'

'I can imagine you interrogating her boyfriend when he comes around to visit.'

'I will do, if anyone hurts my kids then I will make them suffer.'

'You're a very good dad Jeff.'

'Dixie says that too.'

'She's right, Sophia and John are lucky children to have a dad like you.' Tamzin smiled at the expression on Jeff's face, she had clearly made him happy.

Jeff smiled at Tamzin's words, he could tell that she was genuine. He looked at his watch, there was only an hour until he could home and then he would be able to speak to his children. He saw Dixie coming out of her office and down to where he was standing. 'Hey Dix, are you all right?'

'Yes, I was feeling a bit sick before but it has passed now.'

'Are you sure you're all right?'

'I think it is just morning sickness starting.'

'Morning sickness? It is almost evening.'

'It is just a name Jeff, it can happen at any time.'

'You haven't been sick though have you Dixie?'

'No, just feeling it, peppermint tea helps me.'

'Good, if you want to go home you will tell me, won't you?'

'Yes, if I feel worse then I will tell you and you can order me to go home.'

'Good.' Jeff was happy that Dixie had told him how she was feeling, he knew that it was a normal part of pregnancy and he just hoped that she didn't get her morning sickness too badly.

Dixie felt a bit better now that she had told Jeff how she was feeling, she thought that he deserved to know. It was quite nice that he cared for her so, it reminded her that he loved her and cared for her. Jeff picked up his phone when it rang, it must be the kids calling him, they were a bit early though. Dixie felt worry run through her when Jeff's expression changed. 'Jeff, what's wrong?' He held his hand up as he spoke to the person on the other end, she wondered what was going on.

'What did you say to her?' Dixie couldn't hear the person speaking but Jeff sounded angry.

'I hope you're satisfied, if she gets hurt then it is your fault Lucy.' Jeff looked furious, something was obviously going on.

'Jeff, what is wrong?'

'It's Sophia, she's run away. She had an argument with Lucy and she told Sophia that she couldn't speak to me. It appears she has gone to get the train to come here.'

'When did she leave, do we know?'

'They're not sure, she was at the train station about five. She got on a train for Holby not long afterwards, the police saw it on the cameras.'

'We need to go to the train station.'

'I know, the train she got on is due to get into Holby about seven.'

'Okay. I hope she's all right.'

'I do too. If anything happens to her then I will never forgive myself.'

'Jeff, this isn't your fault. Come on, let's get to the train station and meet her there.' Dixie was worried too, Sophia was so young, too young to be travelling on her own.

Jeff drove as quick as he could to the train station, he hadn't even bothered getting changed, he just wanted to get there and make sure that Sophia wasn't alone when she got off the train. He was so angry at Lucy, she wouldn't tell him what she had said to Lucy that made her leave, she implied that he had been putting ideas in Sophia's head. He would get the whole story from Sophia as soon as possible. Jeff ran through the station and looked at the arrivals board, he was aware of Dixie stood by his side. 'There,' he said, pointing at the board. 'Platform six.' He quickly moved in the direction of Platform six, one of the upsides to the uniform was that people got out of his way when they saw him running.

Dixie stood with Jeff who was pacing along the platform. 'Jeff, stop pacing, you're making me dizzy.'

'I can't help it Dixie, my little girl is on a train all alone. Who knows what has happened to her in all that time.'

'She'll be all right, Sophia is a resourceful girl.'

'I hope you're right.'

'I am, she takes after you.' Dixie saw Jeff pale as the train pulled in, he watched all the people pile off and saw him get more worried as Sophia was nowhere to be seen. 'Jeff, she's over there.' Dixie followed Jeff as he ran to Sophia and hugged her.

'Sophia Collier, don't you dare scare me like that ever again.'

'I'm sorry daddy, I had to come here, mummy wouldn't let me speak to you. She told me that you weren't my daddy.'

'Of course I'm your daddy, I always will be.'

'I don't want that man as my daddy, she told me I had to call him dad.'

'It's okay my little princess, we'll get this sorted out.' Dixie knew that Jeff wasn't really mad, he was just upset and scared.

'Jeff, we should get her home, she looks tired and hungry.'

'Mummy said I couldn't have any tea until I apologised for saying he wasn't my dad. She said Dixie was horrible, I hate mummy.' Dixie looked at the little girl, she wasn't surprised that Lucy didn't like her or that she had called her horrible, she didn't care, Lucy could think whatever she liked.

Jeff was relieved that Sophia was safe, he was furious with Lucy, what she had said had made Sophia want to run away. What if something had happened to her on the way here? He held Sophia's hand as they walked through the station, he wasn't going to let her go now that he knew she was safe. He was going to have a serious conversation with Lucy once Sophia was home and had something hot to eat inside of her. He was angry, upset and relieved all at the same time. How had she not noticed that her youngest daughter had slipped out of the house? Jeff put Sophia in the car and fastened her seatbelt, he closed the door and leaned against the car. 'Jeff, are you all right?'

'I am now, I'll be even better once I have a word with Lucy.'

'Perhaps you should calm down first, you're angry and that is not the best time to talk to someone.'

'Maybe you're right, Sophia needs to come first.'

'We'll get some chips on the way home, it is quick and the poor girl needs something to eat.'

'Right, good plan.' Jeff got in the car, Dixie was right, Sophia had to be his first priority, he was slowly getting over the scare that she had given him, once he had calmed down a bit more then he would talk to Lucy and let her know exactly what he thought of her.