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 BeethovenRIPand chan. nelson4444 for your reviews, I really enjoy reading them. I hope you enjoy the chapter, get your tissues out it is squishy time.

Chapter Thirty.

Dixie closed her locker, she'd just finished a night shift with Jeff and she was feeling quite tired; she was going to have to think about working days from now on. She had another four weeks left working on the crew and she didn't think that working nights was going to be a good idea. She was due to do the next set of rotas so she would put herself and Jeff on days, he wouldn't mind as long as he could keep an eye on her. She quickly got dressed and met Jeff in front of the station. 'Dixie, are you all right?'

'Yeah love, I'm just a bit tired.'

'I'm not surprised, carrying our little one and working nights can't be good for you.'

'I know, that is why I'm going to work days from now until I finish working on the crew.'

'Good, I am glad to hear it princess.'

'I just want what is best for our baby and if that means no night shifts then so be it.'

'Come on princess, let's go and see what our baby looks like this time.'

'I can't wait to see him or her again.' Dixie slipped her arm through Jeff's and held onto it as they went into the hospital.

Jeff thought through his plans, everything was almost in place, Tamzin had agreed to look after the kids while he took Dixie to a hotel for some time to themselves. It was all arranged for this weekend, Dixie didn't know about it yet, he was going to pack some things for her and take her straight to the hotel. She had to think that everything was normal but he was dying to tell Dixie everything just so he could see her smile. He opened the door the ante-natal clinic and took Dixie's arm again and they went to the reception. The nurse behind the desk smiled at them 'Hello, can I take your name please?'

'Mrs Kathleen Collier,' Dixie said. She tapped it into the computer and then smiled at them again.

'Take a seat and we will be with you shortly.'

'Thank you, come on princess.' Jeff sat Dixie down and kissed her on the head, she really did look tired, he was going to make sure that she went straight to bed when they got home. 'Are we still going to find out the sex of the baby Dix?'

'Yes, that's what we agreed, I really want to know.'

'Me too.' Jeff felt Dixie's excitement about finding out the sex of the baby.

Dixie looked up when the midwife called her name, she stood up and went into the room with Jeff following close behind her. 'If you would like to sit down and we'll get started. I need to take your blood pressure first.'

'All right.' Dixie pulled the sleeve of her jumper up and relaxed as the midwife attached the cuff to her arm and inflated it. 'Okay, all done, your blood pressure is normal, just what we like to see.' Dixie was relieved, she had been a bit stressed out during the shift so she hoped that it hadn't affected her blood pressure in any way. 'If you would like to pop up on the bed for me and lift your top up.' Dixie let Jeff help her lie down on the bed, she'd starting letting him help her do certain things as a way of stopping him from worrying about her. It seemed to be working so far as Jeff's worrying was happening a lot less these days. If she was truly honest she quite liked Jeff helping her, it made her feel close to him. Dixie lifted her top up and rested her hands by her side. 'Same as last time, this will feel a little cold.' Dixie braced herself for the coldness as the gel was squirted onto her stomach, it was still a bit of a shock but she was ready for it this time.

Jeff held Dixie's hand as they watched the screen flicker into life, the baby coming into view almost instantly. 'There you are princess, our little one.'

'I know, he or she is a lot bigger this time.' Jeff looked at screen, he'd seen a baby growing twice already but every time he saw the baby growing bigger it filled him with awe. He looked at Dixie, she was staring at their baby as they moved around inside her belly. 'I'm just going to check the heartbeat.' Jeff squeezed Dixie's hand as the sound of the baby's heartbeat came through the machine. 'Nice and strong, that is very good.' Jeff was relieved, hearing the heartbeat was proof that their baby was growing strong and healthy. 'Do you want to know the sex?' Jeff looked at Dixie and she nodded, she hadn't changed her mind.

'Please, can you see if the baby is a boy or a girl?'

'Just one moment.' The midwife looked closely at the screen and she shifted her position a little bit. 'You're having a little boy.' Jeff felt Dixie squeeze his hand and he looked at her, she had tears in her eyes and they were filled with emotion, he hugged her and kissed her gently. 'We're having a beautiful little boy princess.' Jeff felt tears come into his own eyes, a little boy, he was so happy, he would have been just as happy if they were having a girl, he just hoped that their baby arrived healthy and safely.

Dixie hugged Jeff back, she was having a little boy, a son, she let a few tears fall, she was feeling quite emotional and she felt so very much closer to their baby now. She could start thinking of names and buying specific baby clothes. 'Would you like some pictures?'

'Yes, please.' Dixie wanted to remember the day that she had found out they were having a son, she took one last look at the screen as the midwife printed them some pictures and then let the woman wipe the gel off her stomach. She was still feeling very emotional and wiped a few tears away that were threatening to escape. 'I will need you to provide a urine sample before you leave as we need to check for protein. Something else that you will need to think about is if you want to have an anomaly scan at twenty weeks. We will fully check your baby for anything that might be wrong.' Dixie was tempted to say no but having the scan would put Jeff's mind at rest, she was trying to be sympathetic to his worries and needs as the father of their baby.

'Okay, I'll have one.'

'Excellent, I will get you an appointment sorted out.'

'Thank you.' Dixie took the pot from the midwife and went into the ladies room, she was feeling very happy, finding out she was having a son had made her day.

Jeff waited with the midwife for Dixie to come back. 'As the dad, is there anything that you would like to ask?'

'Dixie was feeling sick up until last week, is that normal?'

'For some women it can be, there are no proper rules to pregnancy as such. Some women barely get any sickness at all and some get a lot, if it returns then small, frequent meals should help.'

'Okay, thank you.'

'Anything else?'

'She gets quite moody and teary sometimes.'

'That will be the hormones, that is normal too. I suggest that you spend time together as a couple, warm baths will also help relax her and calm her down.' Jeff nodded, Dixie's hormones really did act up from time to time.

Dixie came back into the room a few minutes later and handed the midwife her sample, she waited as it was tested. 'No protein, that's very good. We'll keep testing you as your pregnancy progresses to make sure that everything is going as it it should. I have booked you in for the anomaly scan, here is the card with your appointment for the anomaly scan on it and your pictures, we'll see you again soon. Take care.'

'Thank you.' Dixie took the pictures and the appointment card and she held onto Jeff's arm as they walked back through the hospital and to the ambulance station where their car was parked. 'Dixie, Jeff!' She heard Tamzin shouting them as they appeared in the station. 'How did it go, did you find out whether you're having a boy or a girl?'

'We did.' Dixie smiled at Tamzin.

'Come on, don't keep me waiting.'

'We're having a boy.' Dixie handed Tamzin one of the pictures to look at.

'Oh, he's adorable, look at him, he's so cute. I am so pleased for you.' Dixie found herself enveloped in a hug by Tamzin.

'Hey, I'm here too.' Dixie laughed at the indignation in Jeff's voice and then smiled as Tamzin hugged him too.

'Come here daddy, I am so happy for you both.' She wondered how the kids would react when they were told that they're going to have a baby brother.

Jeff was still feeling the happiness from finding out that they were having a baby boy, he already had his eyes on a few toys and bears that he wanted to buy for the baby. 'Right Mrs Collier, upstairs, you need to get some rest. I'll be up in a moment.'

'You're not going to back down on that are you?'

'No, I'm not, go on up and I'll bring you a cup of tea.' Jeff put the mugs down on the side and put the kettle on. He was so very happy and started humming quietly as he made the tea. He was looking forward to telling Sophia and John about the baby, it would make them happy too. They had shown quite an interest in the baby and they were marking the days down on the calendar until the baby arrived. He was pleased that they were being so mature about it, he'd noticed that they would tidy up and do things around the house so that Dixie didn't have to. He picked up the mugs and carried them upstairs to Dixie.

Dixie lay on the bed with her hands on her belly, she was looking at the picture from the scan from time to time as well. 'Hello peanut, I'm your mum.' Dixie gently stroked her growing belly. 'You're the luckiest baby in the world because you have a daddy and a mummy that loves you and can't wait to see you. I promise you that you'll always be safe and cared for, I love you, my little boy. I've waited such a long time for you, I can't wait to hold you in my arms and cuddle you for the first time.' Dixie carried on stroking her belly, her and Jeff's little boy was safe in there and she vowed to keep him that way. She looked up at Jeff when he walked in the room, he carefully handed her one the mugs and she drank it gratefully. 'Thanks love.'

'My pleasure princess.'

'I've just been talking to our son.'

'Really, did he say anything back?' Dixie chuckled, she hoped that Jeff wouldn't lose his sense of humour.

'No silly, of course not.'

'What did you say to him?'

'That he's the luckiest baby in the world having a dad like you. What would you say to him?'

'Hello baby,' Dixie felt Jeff kiss her belly. 'I love you, your mummy and me, we can't wait to see you. I love your mummy too, she's a very special lady that is working hard to bring you into the world. You have a big brother and sister that can't wait to meet you too.' Dixie smiled as Jeff stroked her belly, it was nice to be close to him like this.

Jeff heard the door open and the kids coming in, it would be Nadia bringing the kids back from school. 'Do you want to tell the kids now Dixie?'

'Yeah, we can do.'

'I'll go and get them, wait here princess.'

'Thanks love.' Jeff kissed Dixie on the head and went downstairs, he was so looking forward to telling the kids about the baby.

'Hi Nadia.'

'Hello Jeff.'

'Thanks for bringing the kids back.'

'No problem, I will see you Monday evening, enjoy your weekend.'

'You too.' Jeff let Nadia out and then turned to the kids. 'Come upstairs with me kids, we have something to tell you.'

'What is it daddy?' Sophia sounded curious.

'You'll see soon, come and see Dixie with me.'

'Is the baby okay dad?'

'Don't worry son, the baby is just fine.' Jeff herded the kids upstairs to where Dixie was waiting for them.

Dixie sat on the bed as the kids came into the room, Dixie hugged Sophia when she climbed up on the bed next to her. 'Mummy Dixie, how is the baby?'

'The baby is very well, we have something to tell you.'

'What is it?'

'The baby in my stomach is a little boy, you're going to have a baby brother.' Dixie smiled at the kids, she wanted to give them a few minutes to digest the news that they had just received.

'Mummy Dixie, can I see the baby?'

'Of course you can sweet pea.' Dixie picked up one of the pictures and handed it to Sophia.

'He's so cute, can I keep this picture?'

'Of course you can Sophia.' Dixie looked at John. 'You're going to have a baby brother John, how do you feel about that?'

'Can I teach him to play football?'

'I'd like that, he will need you to look after him too, can you do that?'

'Yes, just like I do with Sophia.'

'Exactly like that. Would you like a picture too?'

'Yes please.' Dixie handed John one of the pictures, she was pleased that the kids were happy about the baby. 'Come here kids.' Dixie put one arm around each of the kids and hugged them close. 'Come here Jeff, come and join us.' Dixie made room for Jeff and he put his arms around all of them, she might not be related to the kids but she thought of them as family and she loved them as if they were her own children. She loved Jeff too, he was a wonderful man that had given her the gift of being a mother, Dixie thought again that she was so very lucky and blessed. She cuddled up to Jeff and kids, she felt loved and so very happy.