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, more squishiness :)

Chapter Twenty-Six.

Jeff sat with Sophia and John at the breakfast table, Sophia looked grown up in her uniform, he remembered when she was little girl and going to her first day at nursery. How quickly time had passed, the little girl that had held his hand was growing up and soon she would be a teenager. The years would pass just as quickly and then she would be a young woman, how would he handle that? What would he do when she got a boyfriend? Probably threaten to break his legs if he ever hurt her, Sophia would always be his little girl no matter how grown up she got. John was getting older, he'd grown so tall in the last couple of months, he was so proud of both of his kids and how they were turning out. He had high hopes for Sophia and John and would see to it that whatever they wanted to do in life they would have the chance and every opportunity that he could give to them. Then there was the new baby, still so small and yet a person with so much potential. He loved them all dearly, he felt so very blessed.

Dixie noted Jeff's quietness and she wondered if he was thinking about the kids, he probably was, the start of their first day at school was rapidly approaching. 'Sophia, John, please go upstairs and clean your teeth and make sure that you have everything you need in your bags.'

'Okay Dixie,' Sophia and John said together and then went upstairs, Dixie turned to Jeff when the kids had gone upstairs.

'Are you all right Jeff?'

'I'm not so sure Dix, what if they get bullied or don't make any friends, what if they make the wrong type of friend and get into drugs and alcohol?'

'Stop worrying, they're sensible kids Jeff and they take after you.'

'You're right.'

'Of course I am, I'm always right and don't you forget it.'

'I know, you wear the trousers.'

'Yes, I do.' Dixie put her hand on top of Jeff's. 'I mean it, they'll be all right, they'll come back at the end of the day and tell you that everything went fine.'

'Of course they will be all right, I'm just worried about them Dix.'

'You're their father, it's your job to worry.' Dixie hugged Jeff and gave him a small kiss, it was only natural that he was worried about Sophia and John on their first day at a new school.

Jeff was glad that he had the day off, he wanted to be there for the kids when they went into school and again when they came home. It was their first day and it was important to him that he was there for them so they could talk about how the day had gone. The kids came running down the stairs when Dixie called to them, they were carrying their school bags and Dixie made sure that they were wearing their warm coats, the year was beginning to turn cold and he wanted to make sure that the kids were warm enough when going anywhere. He was going to have to check that they had hats, scarves and gloves, he would buy them each a set if they didn't. Jeff pulled on his own coat and locked the door once everyone was out of the house, he went to the car and found Dixie sat in front of the steering wheel already, she had taken advantage of having the keys to the car so that she could drive. He smiled, it was always a race to see who got into the driver's seat first, he realised that both himself and Dixie acted like big kids but it made life fun.

Dixie started the engine of the car, the kids were quiet and so was Jeff; she wasn't sure who was more nervous about the day ahead. She drove carefully towards the school, they had left in plenty of time so there was no rush. 'Are you looking forward to your first day John?'

'Yes, I am.' Dixie had been trying to get John to talk to her more, she hoped that by asking him questions he would open up to her more and eventually start talking by himself. Sophia was naturally talkative and John was quiet, Dixie sometimes wondered if John was sometimes shadowed by Sophia's natural personality. 'What are your favourite subjects?'

'English, maths and history.'

'English was always my favourite subject, I was better at it than maths.' Dixie smiled, she was making progress with John, he was readily answering her questions and listening to her when she spoke. It would take some time before John started talking to her by himself but she was patient and she wasn't going to give up on him. Jeff had told her that John liked her, it meant a lot to hear it, it gave her hope that John would become a bit more talkative in the weeks to come.

Jeff listened to Dixie and John talking, he noticed that his son was coming out of his shell, it was slow progress but Dixie was working her magic by paying attention to him and every word that he said. She listened carefully and took him seriously, Dixie was treating John like a grown up and he was responding to it. It pleased Jeff to hear John say that he liked Dixie, he rarely volunteered any information but it was happening more lately. Jeff hoped that being at school and surrounded by boys of his own age that he would make some friends and start to socialise. 'All right everyone,' Dixie's voice entered his head and he looked at her, he had been so lost in thought that he hadn't even realised that they had stopped. 'It is time to go.' The school looked quiet but it was still early, he went into the grounds with Sophia and John, Dixie followed them and he felt her take his hand.

They were met by a teacher inside the doors. 'Hello, you must be new.'

'Yes, Sophia and John Collier.'

'I am Mrs Cartwright, the deputy head. What year are they in?'

'Seven and nine.' Jeff saw the woman scan down her list.

'Yes, here we are, welcome to you both, now if you will follow me.' Jeff turned to Sophia and John.

'Okay kids, enjoy your first day, come here.' Jeff hugged Sophia and John, he was finding it hard to let them go but he had to.

'See you soon daddy.'

'See you soon Sophia, my little princess.'

'See you later dad.'

'See you soon John.' Dixie hugged the kids too and they went with the deputy head. Jeff stood with Dixie and they watched them until they couldn't see them any more.

Dixie felt for Jeff, letting the kids go was hard for him, she was proud of him and she hugged him once they reached the car. 'What was that for?'

'I know how hard that was for you, come on Jeff, let's go home.'

'It was hard, do you think they will be all right?'

'Yes Jeff, they will be fine.

'I hope you're right Dixie.' Dixie put her hand on Jeff's knee and squeezed it gently.

'Do you remember what I told you earlier when you said that to me?'

'That you're always right.'

'Yes, I did, stop worrying, for me.'

'Okay princess.' Dixie hoped that Jeff would be reassured by her words and would start to feel better soon, she cared for the kids too and hoped that they would have a great first day.

Jeff's thoughts somehow always went back to the kids, how they were enjoying their day and if they had made any friends yet. He was trying to focus on the wallpaper in the nursery, Dixie was banned from the room as he didn't want her to see what he was doing to it just yet. She'd quite happily agreed to let herself be surprised, he just hoped that her impatience wouldn't get the better of her before it was ready. He was very pleased with his idea, it was perfect, he couldn't wait until the baby was in there and making use of the room he was preparing for his or her arrival. Tamzin had been helping him, she would smuggle him the materials that he needed when Dixie wasn't looking. There was plenty of work to do, once the walls were painted then he would have a carpet fitted and the furniture put in, he was determined that their baby would have only the best furniture for their nursery.

Dixie was glad that Jeff had something to focus on other than worrying about the kids, the nursery was his little project, she had seen Tamzin bringing him paint every so often and she pretended that she hadn't seen anything. She didn't know what colour he was painting things or what furniture he had planned to buy for the baby but she trusted him completely. Dixie knew that the nursery would be beautiful, Jeff would see to that, she also knew that he would be the best dad that their baby could hope for. Her belly was definitely visible now, she was reaching twelve weeks, she was going to have to start buying maternity clothes soon. The thought didn't thrill her; she had visions of herself in pink and ruffles and she shuddered, pink really wasn't her colour. Maybe she could go up a clothes size instead.

Jeff stood back and admired his work, the nursery was beginning to take shape now, he loved it and he hoped that Dixie would love it too. He put the paintbrush down and carefully sealed the paint tin, there was still quite a bit of work to do but he was seeing his vision take shape. He looked at his watch, it was almost time to go and pick up the kids. He couldn't wait to hear about their day. Jeff went downstairs and found Dixie lying on the sofa. 'Are you all right Dixie?'

'Yes, don't worry about me, I've just had a little bit of heartburn, that's all, it is easing now.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes, I'm sure, it is all part of pregnancy.'

'Okay.' Jeff sat by Dixie's side and put his hand on her belly, he stroked it gently and kissed her. 'Do you want me to go and pick up the kids?'

'Would you love? I'm a little tired, I think I'll have a lie down.'

'All right princess, don't worry, I'll get them, you go and have a little nap.'

'Thanks Jeff.' He kissed Dixie on the head and stood up.

'I'll be back soon princess.' Jeff smiled at Dixie and left the house, he hoped that she would get some rest while she could.

Dixie lay on the bed and moved her hand in circles over her belly, she wondered what the baby was doing, whether they were asleep or awake, moving or still. In two months time she would take herself off active duty, she wasn't looking forward to it, she lived for the excitement that being a paramedic brought. She also lived for helping people, she was going to have to help people in a different way when she reached five months. She yawned and turned onto her side, it was getting uncomfortable to sleep on her back and front, her side was definitely more comfortable for sleeping on right now. Dixie lay on Jeff's pillow, his scent calmed and relaxed her, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply, sleep soon overcame her, she needed the rest.

Jeff smiled as he drove the kids home, they had filled him in on their day at school, he was relieved that they had enjoyed it and they seemed to be settling in well at the new school. He was so proud of them and how they were taking everything in their stride. 'Daddy, where's Dixie?'

'She's sleeping, she needs to rest.'

'Is the baby making her tired?'

'Yes, the baby is doing a lot of growing and it makes Dixie tired.'

'Can we make something to eat for Dixie when she wakes up?'

'Of course we can my little princess.'

'We can make it together, can't we daddy? You, me and John.'

'Yes, indeed we can. Would you like that John?'

'I would like that very much.'

'That's my boy.' Jeff smiled, he loved that Sophia and John were so considerate and caring.

Once he got home Jeff quietly went into the room he shared with Dixie, she was fast asleep on his pillow and hugging it. Jeff smiled and gently kissed Dixie on the head, she stirred but did not wake. 'My beautiful princess, rest well.' Jeff sat and watched Dixie for a few more minutes, he carefully placed a blanket over her so that she would be warm and comfortable. Jeff left the room and went downstairs, he was looking forward to helping Sophia and John make something to eat for Dixie when she awoke.