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, I really enjoy reading them. I hope you enjoy the chapter. More squish coming your way, might want to prepare the tissues.

Chapter Thirty-Three.

Jeff had packed some clothes for Dixie while she was busy with the kids and he'd put her bag in with his in the boot of the car. He'd organised a room for them at a hotel not far from where they lived, he didn't want to travel too far now that Dixie was twenty weeks into her pregnancy. He wanted to spend some time with Dixie before the baby came, Tamzin was due any minute and he would tell Dixie that they were going out for the evening which is why Tamzin was looking after the kids. Jeff had it all planned out and he hoped that everything would go smoothly, he wanted Dixie to enjoy herself and have a good time. Jeff opened the door to Tamzin when she knocked and he let her in. 'Hi Tamzin, thanks for doing this.'

'No problem, Sophia and John are lovely kids. You and Dixie need some time together.'

'That's true, I know when the baby arrives we will be busy and won't have a lot of time to spend with each other.'

'You and Dixie will be great parents, I just know it.'

'Thanks Tamzin, I hope you're right, I've know I'm already a dad but it has been a long time since I changed nappies and fed babies.'

'It will come back to you Jeff, you will be fine.' Jeff hoped that Tamzin was right, he wanted to do the best he could for all of his children. 'Go and enjoy your weekend together, don't worry about the kids they will be fine with me.' Jeff nodded and sat down with the kids, he wanted to talk to them before he left. 'Hey kids, me and Dixie are going to spend some time together this weekend. Tamzin is going to look after you while we're away, is that all right?'

'Where are you taking Dixie daddy?' Sophia asked curiously.

'To a hotel for a meal and to stay there for the evening.'

'Are you going to buy her flowers daddy?'

'Flowers, yes, don't tell Dixie but there will be some delivered to her at the hotel.'

'You should buy Dixie chocolate too daddy, she likes chocolate.'

'I know she does my little princess.' Jeff turned to John. 'Are you all right John?'

'Yes dad, I like Tamzin.'

'Good, I am glad to hear it. Tamzin has the number of the hotel if you need us.' Jeff hugged both the kids and he felt reassured that they would be all right while he went away with Dixie.

Dixie had spent a bit of time each day in the nursery, she'd put the presents that everyone had bought the baby into the nursery, she would pack the baby clothes and blanket nearer the time when she was due to go into hospital to give birth. Being in the nursery calmed her, she would sit in the rocking chair and talk to the baby as she rested her hands on her stomach. There were times when Jeff would sit with her and he would talk to the baby too. Dixie had talked to John and Sophia about the baby and she'd given them the baby name book that Jeff had bought and asked them to pick out the names that they liked the most and write them down. She'd let them touch her belly whenever the baby kicked, she hoped that it would help them feel closer to their brother. Dixie snapped out of her thoughts when someone knocked on the door, Jeff popped his head around the door and she waved him in. 'Hi Dixie, are you all right princess?'

'Yeah, though our little one likes kicking my internal organs.' Jeff came over and put his hand on Dixie's belly.

'Hey little one, are you kicking mummy?' Dixie smiled at Jeff as he stroked her belly and talked to their baby. 'Come on Mrs Collier, get your coat, we're going out.'

'Going out, where are we going?'

'You'll see.'

'What about the kids?'

'Tamzin is looking after them.'

'Oh, right.' Dixie wondered where Jeff was taking her, she was curious and really wanted to know what Jeff had planned for them.

Jeff held his arm out to Dixie and she leaned on it as she got up. 'Come on princess.'

'Where are you taking me?'

'You'll see when we get there.' Jeff held Dixie's hand as they went downstairs and went into the living room.

'Hi Dixie,' Tamzin said and smiled at her.

'Hi Tamzin, thanks for looking after the kids.'

'It's no problem, just go and enjoy yourself Dixie.'

'Do you know where Jeff is taking me?'

'I do and before you ask I am sworn to secrecy. Have fun, don't worry about the kids I will look after them.'

'Of course you will.' Jeff helped Dixie to put on her coat and she went over to the kids. 'Be good for Tamzin.'

'Of course we will Dixie,' John said and she hugged him and then Sophia. Jeff hugged the kids and then he went to Tamzin.

'If there are any problems then you have the number.'

'I do, don't worry, go and enjoy yourself.'

'Bye Tamzin, bye kids.'

'Bye Jeff.'

'Bye dad, bye Dixie,' both the kids said together and Jeff took Dixie's hand and escorted her to the car, he really was looking forward to spending some time with Dixie.

Dixie wondered where Jeff was taking her, he had obviously put a lot of planning into this trip and she was surprised that he had managed to keep it a secret from her. She usually knew everything that Jeff was thinking and doing before he did, obviously Tamzin was involved and he'd asked her in advance to look after the kids. Dixie remembered that they talked about going somewhere together but she'd forgotten it and assumed that Jeff had too. She looked around when Jeff stopped the car and she saw the hotel that they had stayed in when they'd renewed their vows. 'Come on Mrs Collier.'

'Jeff, are we going for dinner?'

'Sort of.'

'What do you mean sort of?'

'We have a room for the night.'

'So that is what you've been up to.'

'Yes, I just want to spend some time with you Dixie. Come on princess.' Dixie got out of the car and Jeff went to the boot; he took out two bags and then closed it again.

'You packed for me?'

'I did, don't worry, I have everything you need.'

'Since when did you get so good at packing for women?'

'I do live with a woman Dixie, it comes naturally after a while.'

'I see, come on then Jeffrey, lead the way.' Dixie followed Jeff into the hotel, she was looking forward to spending the evening with him.

Jeff dealt with booking himself and Dixie into their room and he took the key from the receptionist. He picked up the bags and they took the lift to the floor that their room was on, he opened the door and let Dixie go in first. He looked around the room, it was nice and the double bed looked very comfortable. 'I think we'll be quite comfortable here Dixie.'

'Me too, this must have cost a bit Jeff.'

'Don't think about that princess, just enjoy, I want to treat my lovely wife.' Jeff put his arms around Dixie and kissed her, this night was all about them. Jeff rested his head against Dixie's and hugged her close, he was going to have to find a different way of hugging Dixie as her belly was getting bigger. 'Dixie, go and look in the bathroom.'

'The bathroom, why do you want me to look in there?'

'Go on princess.' Jeff followed Dixie into the bathroom, he couldn't wait to see her reaction when she saw what he had managed to get them.

Dixie looked around the bathroom and she saw that it had a bath built into the floor. 'Jeff, is that a bath in the floor?'

'Yes princess, it is big enough for us both to get into it.'

'I am looking forward to that.'

'I thought you would like it, my water baby.'

'Come on Dixie, we'll have dinner and then we'll get into the bath and relax.'

'Dinner too, you are spoiling me Jeffrey Collier.'

'Anything for you princess.' Dixie went into the bedroom and sat down on the bed, she took her shoes off and wriggled her toes. It was nice to sit down and rest her feet, now that her bump was getting bigger she was finding that parts of her body were beginning to hurt, mainly her back and occasionally her legs and knees. Jeff came and sat next to her and she cuddled up to him. 'Are you okay Dix?'

'Yeah, I am just feeling a bit tired.'

'I'm not surprised, you are carrying around a little person in your belly.'

'I know, I hope that the control room at ambulance dispatch has comfortable chairs.'

'I am sure it will princess.'

'Are you going to be all right Jeff?'

'Of course I will be Dixie, it's you I'm worried about.'

'I just want you to be safe while I'm not there to look after you.'

'Don't worry, I promise you that I will be there holding your hand when you give birth. I won't do anything that means I can't be there for you and our baby.'

'Thanks Jeff, I love you.'

'I love you too princess.' Dixie snuggled herself closer to Jeff and she felt him kiss her on the head, she felt more at ease now that he had promised to be careful.

Tamzin sat with the kids while they looked at a book together. 'What are you doing kids?'

'Mummy Dixie and daddy asked us to look at names for the baby,' Sophia said.

'Really, have you picked some that you might like?'

'We're working on it.'

'Are you writing them down?'

'We are, we're going to give the list to dad when he comes back,' John said and wrote another name down on the piece of paper that was sat in front of him. 'That's a good idea, are you looking forward to having a baby brother to look after, Sophia?'

'I am, I can't wait to see what he looks like.' Tamzin smiled. 'I bet he will be so cute.'

'What about you John, are you looking forward to seeing the new baby?'

'I am, I promised to look after him and I'm going to teach him how to play football.'

'That's good, you're going to be a very good big brother, I can tell, much better than my brother because he used to push me in the mud.'

'He sounds horrible, I like looking after Sophia and I will do the same when the new baby arrives.'

Tamzin smiled, she loved looking after Sophia and John, they were good kids and whenever she looked after them it made her think about having children of her own someday.

Jeff put the plates back onto the trolley after they'd had something to eat from room service, it pleased him to see that Dixie ate well and was still enjoying her food. It was important that she ate all of the right things to keep her and the baby healthy throughout the pregnancy. Jeff took Dixie's hands in his and then kissed her. 'Come with me princess.' He helped Dixie stand up and took her into the bathroom, he'd already put their night clothes in the room so that they could get into them when they got out of the bath. He had originally planned to get a room with a hot tub but the websites he had been on all suggested it was best that pregnant women avoid them so he'd gone for the bath instead. Once the bath was warm enough he turned the taps off and went over to Dixie, he helped her to undress and then took off his own clothes. He supported Dixie as they got into the bath and sat with his back against the wall. 'Come my love.' He opened his arms to Dixie. 'Sit in front of me.' Once Dixie was settled and comfortable he wrapped his arms around her and rested his hand on her belly.

Dixie found it comforting to be held by Jeff, the warm water was working wonders on her back and getting rid of the ache she felt there. 'Lean forward princess.' Dixie did as Jeff asked her to and she felt his hands gently massaging her aching muscles, she sighed in pleasure and rested her hands on her thighs. Jeff was very good with his hands and he was working wonders on her back right now. He knew exactly where to massage to make her feel better, she closed her eyes as his hands moved back up to her shoulders and then down her arms. Dixie moved back until she was resting against Jeff's body, he was strong and his arms around her made her feel safe. Dixie felt Jeff's hand tracing small circles over her bump.' Jeff?'

'Yes princess.'

'That feels nice.'

'Good. What's the baby doing?'

'I think he's sleeping, he doesn't move around all of the time.'

'How are you sleeping, I know it can be uncomfortable for you as the bump gets bigger.'

'I'm all right if I sleep on my side with something supporting my stomach.'

'Good, you would tell me if you were struggling to sleep, wouldn't you?'

'Yeah, I'm okay for now though.'

'Good.' Dixie loved the fact that Jeff was so caring and loving, it made her feel better about what was to come. She'd looked at other women with their neat, round bumps and wondered why she was so big. She felt ungainly and huge. 'Dixie, what are you thinking about?'

'Am I massive Jeff?'

'How do you mean?'

'I just feel huge.'

'You're pregnant love and you're beautiful. Come with me Dixie.'

'Where are we going?' Dixie took Jeff's hand and let him help her out of the bath, just what was he up to?

Jeff stood Dixie in front of the mirror and put his arms around her. 'Look at yourself Dixie, do you know how I see you?'

'No.'

'You're beautiful, your skin is glowing and you have a sparkle about you, the sparkle of knowing that there's a little life inside you. The glow you have is the glow of the true love you carry for our child.' Jeff settled his hand on Dixie's belly. 'You are so beautiful princess, I love you and our baby.' Jeff held Dixie closer and he kissed her on the cheek.

'Is that really what you think of me?'

'Yes princess, that's really what I think.' Jeff saw the tears falling down Dixie's cheeks and he gently wiped them away with his thumb. 'Dix, why are you crying? I didn't mean to make you cry.'

'I'm crying because I'm happy, it appears my hormones want to make me cry.'

'So you're not sad?'

'No love.'

'Come on Dixie, let's get you dressed, I don't want you getting cold.' Jeff helped Dixie into her pyjamas and then dressed himself. He emptied the bath and then took Dixie back into the bedroom.

Dixie saw the flowers the minute she entered the room, it was a huge bouquet of roses in a different colours. 'Those weren't there when we arrived.'

'I know, they're for you princess.'

'They're beautiful, you really are spoiling me Jeff, you don't have to spend all of this money on me.'

'I want to, you've made me the happiest man in the world Dixie and I want to treat you and show you what you mean to me.' Dixie felt tears appearing in her eyes again and she blinked them back, she was sure it was the pregnancy hormones that made her want to cry at everything. What Jeff had said to her earlier had made her so happy and she was sure that she hadn't heard anything quite so beautiful in her life. 'Jeff, I know you probably brought me here for more intimate reasons but could we just cuddle tonight.'

'If my princess wants to cuddle then we'll cuddle.'

'You're not disappointed?'

'No Dixie, of course I'm not.'

'Thank you.' Dixie was relieved that Jeff wasn't disappointed that she didn't want to make love tonight, she just wanted him to hold her close and be with him. She got into the bed and made herself comfortable on her side while Jeff turned out the main light and left the lamp on. Dixie looked at Jeff when he got into bed and she cuddled up to him, she just looked at Jeff and smiled. 'I love you Jeff.'

'Love you too princess, you and our little bug.' Dixie turned onto her other side and she felt Jeff cuddle up to her back and rest his hand on her belly. 'Goodnight little bug, sleep well,' she heard Jeff whispering as she felt sleep begin to descend over her.

Jeff just watched Dixie sleep for a while, he stroked her belly and then rested his hand on the bump. 'My little boy, my son, your mummy is so very special to me. She's so beautiful and an amazing woman. I love her a lot and we're going to make sure that she is safe; you and me, we'll make sure that mummy can bring you safely into this world.' Jeff felt the baby kick against his hand and he took that as agreement, it made him smile. 'I love you my little bug, I cannot wait until you are here with us.' Jeff kissed Dixie's head and turned off the lamp. 'Goodnight princess, rest well my love, my Dixie.' Jeff closed his eyes and moved as close as he could to Dixie, he would protect her and make sure that she was safe no matter what it took.