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, olivia. c. king1 and chan. nelson4444 for your reviews, squishy time, enjoy.

Chapter Twenty-Seven.

Dixie sat on the sofa, Jeff had woken her up earlier to have something to eat, he'd been cooking with the kids for her, it touched her that he had cooked so that she didn't have to. The smell of food was making her stomach grumble, she was pleased that she was feeling less sick these days. Sophia was sat with her while Jeff was finishing off the tea in the kitchen with John, she had a feeling that Jeff had told Sophia to look after her. 'Dixie, I liked my first day at school.'

'Did you? What did you do today?'

'They took us all into the big hall and split us into our forms, they gave us diaries to put our homework into and our timetable of classes.'

'Can I have a look?'

'Of course you can Dixie.'

'Thank you sweet pea.' She took the timetable off Sophia and looked through it, the usual lessons were there and a few that she didn't recognise. 'Citizenship?'

'They said it is where we learn about human rights, crime and the media and so on.'

'I see, that's a good thing to learn about. Did you meet anyone nice today?'

'I did, Jessica and Sally are on my table in form, I quite like them.'

'Good, I am glad that you've met some nice girls. I am sure you will meet more of them in the weeks to come.'

'I hope so, I start my proper lessons tomorrow.'

'What are you first lessons?'

'Maths, English, music and food tech.'

'Are you looking forward to it?'

'I think so, I hope my teachers are nice.'

'I am sure they will be. What was the food like?'

'It was lovely, I had a jacket potato with tuna and then apple crumble afterwards.'

'Good, it sounds much nicer than my school meals. Fish stew and semolina pudding.'

'Ew, that sounds horrible.' Dixie laughed and put her arm around Sophia, she kissed her on the head, Dixie hoped that the little girl would have a good day tomorrow.

Jeff put the beef steaks he had bought onto the plates, he had read that beef was good for pregnant women as it kept their iron levels up and he didn't want to take any chances after Dixie had collapsed at the start of being pregnant so he was making sure that she was getting enough iron and vitamins in her diet. He added carrots and new potatoes. 'John, is the gravy ready?'

'Yes dad.'

'Very good.' Jeff took the pan from John and poured the gravy over the food on each plate. Will you go and get Dixie and your sister for me?'

'I will do.'

'Thank you John.' He transferred the plates to the table and put the glasses of water in the middle, he checked that he had enough cutlery for everyone too. Once John brought Dixie and Sophia into the room he went to Dixie and helped her sit down at the table. 'Tuck in Dixie.'

'Thanks for doing this Jeff.'

'No problem princess.' Jeff squeezed Dixie's hand and started to eat his own food. 'Do you have any homework John?'

'Yes dad.'

'What do you have to do John?' Dixie was persevering with her questions and getting John to talk.

'I have some maths and English to do but that is all.'

'What do they have you doing?'

'Addition and subtraction. I have to write about what I did in my holidays too.'

'That sounds interesting, what are you going to write about?'

'I thought I would write about swimming and going to pizza hut with you and dad.' Jeff smiled, it was nice to hear John talking so freely with Dixie.

Dixie listened to John talking, it was clear that he had enjoyed going swimming and to pizza hut, she listened to everything that he said and smiled at him. He really was turning out to be a lovely young man with proper manners, she hoped that he would keep those qualities as he got older. It pleased her to see that Sophia and John ate all of their dinner, they really were good when it came to eating at the table and having proper meals. It was nice to sit down as a family and talk through the day while they ate. 'Dad, Dixie, please may I go and do my homework?'

'Of course you can John.' Dixie smiled and watched John leave the table, as he was growing up he was getting to look a lot like his dad. Sophia finished off her food and then looked between Dixie and Jeff.

'Daddy, can I go and watch TV?'

'For a little while but you must go to bed early as you have school tomorrow.'

'Okay daddy, thank you.' Sophia quickly jumped up and left the room, Dixie found herself alone with Jeff again.

Jeff started putting the dishes into the dishwasher and he noticed that Dixie was still sat at the table. 'Are you all right Dixie?'

'Yeah, just tired. I'm starting to feel like a bloated whale. I've got quite a large belly for twelve weeks gone, some people on the pictures I've seen have small bellies.'

'You look beautiful Dix, you're glowing.'

'Do you really mean that?'

'Yes, you're so very beautiful Dixie.'

'Thanks Jeff, it means a lot to hear you say that.'

'Come here my love.' Jeff hugged Dixie and then helped her to get up from the table. 'Let me get the dishwasher on and we can go and relax for a little while.'

'All right.' He smiled at Dixie and then pressed the button to start the washer.

Dixie was having a hard time right now, she was growing bigger every day and had noticed the odd stretch mark near her belly. She had started massaging moisturiser into her belly but the marks were still appearing. It helped her to know that Jeff thought she was beautiful and wasn't put off by her growing belly. Sophia had gone upstairs to watch her telly, they'd got each of the kids one when they moved in on the promise that they would go to bed on time. She sat down on the sofa and curled her legs up, Jeff came in shortly after and sat next to her. 'I'm going to have to start wearing maternity clothes soon Jeff, everything about me is getting bigger.'

'Indeed, some things more than others.' Dixie felt Jeff squeeze her breast and she clouted him around the head. 'Ow! What was that for?'

'You know what that was for Jeffrey.'

'Because I squeezed your breast? I like them normally but now they're bigger I like them even more.'

'That was for being a typical male, show a man boobs and they lose their head.'

'Not any boobs Dixie, just yours.'

'You're going to have to share my boobs when the baby arrives, feeding will come first.'

'I know, I remember it well with Sophia and John. Sleepless nights and early feeding, endless crying and changing nappies.'

'I know, are we truly prepared for this Jeff?'

'We will be, you're the strongest woman I know, if anyone can do this then it is you. I'll be with you Dixie and we'll look after the baby together.'

'We will Jeff. Do you think all maternity wear is pink and full of ruffles?'

'No, I tell you what, we'll go shopping together and pick out some things that you will be comfortable in.'

'Okay, then there's baby clothes too, we'll have to start buying those soon.'

'I know, there's a lot to prepare.' Dixie cuddled up to Jeff again, he might be a bit on the grabby side where her boobs were concerned but he was a good man. It made her feel good that he found her sexy though.

Jeff put his hand on Dixie's belly, it was his favourite position for it these days, he wasn't going to make the mistake of grabbing Dixie's breast again as her slaps hurt. It was true that he thought Dixie was beautiful while she wasn't pregnant and even more so when she was. 'Jeff?'

'Yes Dix.'

'Do you mind that I'm too tired for sex these days?'

'Not at all my princess. Your body has more important things to focus on.'

'I know, with any luck that will end soon and we should start to be able to make love again.'

'Don't push yourself Dixie, I can do without for a while.'

'I am glad to hear that, just as long as you don't mind.'

'I don't, I'd rather you be resting anyway, pregnancy is hard on women and I can go without sex, it is not the end of the world.' Jeff pulled Dixie closer, her and the baby were two of the most precious things in his life.

Dixie let herself snuggle into Jeff's arms for a little while longer, she liked it there, it was warm and reminded her of safety, she always felt secure in his arms. 'We should tell the kids that they have to be in bed now.

'Yeah.' Dixie slowly stood up, she found when she stood up too quickly that sometimes it made her feel dizzy and a bit unsteady so she was taking it easier when she had to move. 'I'll go to Sophia and see if she wants her hair brushing.'

'I am glad you are bonding with the kids Dix, it makes me happy.'

'Me too, are you going to John?'

'Yes, I'd like to talk to him some more about his day.'

'Don't keep him up for too long Jeff.'

'Don't worry, I wont.' Dixie climbed the stairs, she sensed that Jeff was stood behind her, it was comforting to know that he was there just in case she did lose her balance.

Dixie went to Sophia's room and knocked on her door. 'Come in.'

'Hi Sophia, do you want me to brush your hair?'

'Yes please Dixie.' Dixie sat down on the bed and picked up the brush, Sophia had already changed into her pyjamas, she looked as if she was about to fall asleep.

'You look tired Sophia.'

'I feel a bit tired.' Dixie gently ran the brush through Sophia's hair and concentrated on getting the knots out. 'Dixie, can I ask you something?'

'Of course you can sweet pea.'

'Will my mum be all right?'

'Yes, with the right treatment she will be just fine. Alan told us yesterday that she was doing well, remember?'

'I remember. I like it here with you and my daddy, do I have to go back to London?'

'Not if you don't want to, you can stay here if you want to.'

'That's good, I want to stay here.' Dixie finished brushing out Sophia's hair and placed the brush carefully on the side.

'Have you brushed your teeth?'

'Yes, I have.'

'Good. Get into bed, sweet pea.' Dixie pulled the covers back and tucked them in once Sophia was comfortable.

'Dixie, I love you.'

'I love you too Sophia, goodnight lovely.'

'Dixie, can I call you mummy?' Dixie looked at Sophia, she wasn't sure how to answer, Sophia still had a mum, what would Jeff think if Sophia suddenly started calling her mummy?

'I don't mind you calling me that but let me talk to your dad and see what he thinks, perhaps you could call me mummy Dixie as you still have a mum.'

'Mummy Dixie, I like that.' Dixie smiled, it amazed her how Sophia wanting to call her mummy made her feel warm and so very loved. 'Will you sit with me until I fall asleep?'

'Of course I will.' Dixie held Sophia's hand in hers and stroked it while the young girl was falling asleep.

Jeff sat on John's chair while his son was getting ready, he'd looked over John's homework and he was so proud of how intelligent his son was. It made him smile when he read John's story of swimming and pizza hut, it was clear from his words how much he had enjoyed the day. John came back in and got into bed. Jeff went over to John. 'Goodnight dad.

'Goodnight John, you will look after your sister for me won't you, I'm trusting you to take care of her at school.'

'Don't worry dad, I'm looking out for her.'

'That's my son, I am proud of you, I just hope that you know it.'

'I do know it. Dad, is mum okay?'

'She will be, the very best doctors are helping her.'

'Good. Dad?'

'Yes John.'

'Sophia wants to call Dixie mummy.'

'Oh, did she tell you that?'

'Yes, outside of school when you were coming to get us.'

'Okay, I'll talk to Dixie about it.'

'Thanks dad.'

'No problem, get some sleep, you have a busy day tomorrow.'

'I know.' John turned over and Jeff turned out the light before leaving the room.

Dixie met Jeff coming out of John's room. 'Sophia's asleep, I think we need to have a chat Jeff.'

'Is it about Sophia wanting to call you mummy?'

'Yes, how did you know?'

'John told me.' Dixie followed Jeff into their room. 'What do you think Dixie?'

'I said I would talk to you about it, she still has a mum Jeff.'

'I know princess.'

'I said that she could call me mummy Dixie if that's all right with you.'

'Mummy Dixie suits you, I don't mind her calling you that if you don't mind.'

'I don't mind, I really like it in fact.'

'Good, I don't think we should tell her no, she cares for you Dixie and we should allow her to express that.'

'I think so too.'

'Then it is settled, now Mrs Collier, get yourself ready for bed, you look dead on your feet and we have work tomorrow.'

'Yes sir.' Dixie chuckled and started to get changed, her family with Jeff was starting to take shape and she was feeling very happy, she wasn't even feeling that bad about wearing maternity clothes any more.