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 appreciate them, enjoy the chapter ladies :)

Chapter Thirty-Four.

Dixie woke up slowly, she felt Jeff's hand on her belly, she snuggled back against Jeff and put her hand on top of his where it rested on top of her stomach. She felt the baby moving around inside her, he was very active this morning and it comforted her to feel him moving and to know that he was okay. She liked feeling the baby move and kick, it made her feel close to her son, she couldn't wait for the day that she could hold him in her arms. Dixie felt Jeff's breathing on the back of her neck, he was obviously still sleeping and she took advantage of the quiet of the morning to do a little bit of thinking. What would it be like giving birth? She'd delivered plenty of babies and each time she saw the pain and emotion that all of the women went through. To tell the truth she was a bit scared, she was likely to be in labour for hours, would she be able to deal with the pain? Dixie wanted to give birth as naturally as possible but she was a bit scared of the pain, she was under no illusion that it was going to hurt. Dixie knew that Jeff would be with her while she was giving birth, he would hold her hand and make her feel better through it all.

Jeff opened his eyes and looked at Dixie, he noticed that her hand was on top his where it was lying on her stomach, it made him smile. 'Princess, are you awake?'

'Yeah, I am.'

'Did you sleep well?'

'I did, this bed is nice and comfortable.'

'Good, I am glad to hear that Dixie.' He gently moved his hand from under Dixie's, lifted her pyjama top and stroked her belly, he really liked touching Dixie like this and it seemed to relax her. 'Dixie, do you realise that your belly button is now sticking out?'

'Yeah, it is to do with my belly growing.'

'I like it, it is cute.'

'Do you think so?'

'Yes princess, I do, you have a very cute belly. Are you warm enough?'

'I am, you are my personal heater.'

'Tell me if you start feeling cold.'

'I will. Jeff?'

'Yes princess.' Dixie turned on her other side and faced him and he saw the worry in her eyes. 'What's wrong?'

'What if I can't cope with the pain?'

'What pain?'

'When I give birth, what if I can't cope, what if something bad happens to me or the baby?'

'That's not going to happen princess.'

'How do you know?' Jeff just put his arm around Dixie and hugged her, she was experiencing the normal worries of a pregnant woman and he thought carefully about what he was going to say to her. Jeff wanted to make Dixie feel better, he didn't like it when she was worried or scared, he wouldn't let anything happen to her, he would protect her, always.

Dixie took some comfort from Jeff hugging her, she wasn't sure where the worries had come from, they were just there in her mind. 'Jeff, how do you know anything bad won't happen to me and the baby?'

'Giving birth is natural Dixie, your body knows what to do. How many women have you helped while they've been giving birth?'

'Lots of them.'

'Do you remember what you told them?'

'That everything is going to be fine and they will be okay.'

'Exactly, I'm going to say it to you, everything will be fine and you will be okay Dixie. I'll be in that room with you until you give birth and hold our son in your arms. I'll hold your hand and help you through every minute.' Dixie smiled.

'Thanks Jeff, I don't know what I'd do without you.'

'You're not going to be without me princess, I will not leave you alone for a minute.'

'You promise?'

'I promise.'

'I suppose every mother goes through this and has these feelings.'

'They do, you're not the only one sweetheart.' Dixie felt Jeff kiss her on the head and she cuddled up to him. 'Everything will be okay princess, I won't let anything happen to you or the baby.' Dixie rested her head against Jeff's chest so she could listen to his heart beating, she needed to hear the comforting sound of it right now.

Jeff stroked Dixie's hair as she lay with her head against his chest, he was hoping that she was feeling a bit better. 'Don't worry my princess. Are you feeling better?'

'Yeah, I feel safe with you.'

'I am glad to hear it Dixie, you're always safe with me.'

'I know, you'll always protect me.'

'Our baby is safe with you, I know that you will bring him safely into the world. You're the strongest person I know Dixie, you will do brilliantly when giving birth to our baby.'

'It is nice to know that you have faith in me Jeff.'

'I do, you're my warrior princess Dixie.' Jeff was pleased to see a smile on Dixie's face and he tilted her face up so he could kiss her. 'I love you princess.'

'Love you too Jeff.' He kissed Dixie again and stroked her face. 'Jeff, can we use the bath again?'

'Of course we can princess.' He helped Dixie up and took her into the bathroom, they didn't have to be out of the hotel until later on in the day so they could take their time and just spend some time together.

Dixie stood at the side as Jeff ran the bath, she was looking forward to getting in it with him. Jeff checked the temperature of the bath and he came over to her. 'Come on then Dixie.' She let him help her out of her pyjamas and then they climbed into the bath together. Dixie settled herself in Jeff's arms and let him hold her, she loved the feeling of the warm water against her skin. Jeff's hand was making trails up and down her back, she sighed happily and rested her head on Jeff's chest. 'Are you okay Dixie?'

'Yeah, this is nice, you're lovely and warm Jeff.'

'I am glad you think so Dixie.'

'I do.' Dixie looked up at Jeff and she kissed him, his tongue slipped inside her mouth and she moved closer to Jeff as they kissed. Dixie loved the feelings that Jeff was creating in her, she wasn't sure how much longer they would be able to be together and make love to each other. She wanted to make the most of it as her bump was getting heavier with every day that went by.

Jeff slowly moved his head away from Dixie, he wanted her but he wasn't sure if Dixie felt the same. 'Dixie, I want to make love to you princess, if you don't want me to then that is fine.'

'I do want you to Jeffrey.' Jeff kissed Dixie again, he moved his hand down her body and slipped his hand between Dixie's legs and gently rubbed her clit, she moaned into his mouth and he felt her hand move down and take hold of his hardening length and start to stroke him. 'Don't stop Dixie.' Jeff groaned and he slipped a finger inside Dixie and slowly moved it in and out of her body. Dixie's moaning and her hand stroking him was making him harder and harder. 'Dixie, I want to be inside you.'

'Make love to me Jeffrey.'

'My pleasure princess.' Jeff supported Dixie as she straddled his legs and took his length inside her body. 'Are you all right Dixie?'

'Yes love.' Jeff looked into Dixie's eyes and kissed her gently when she started to move, he rocked his hips and Dixie moaned into his mouth.

'I love you Dixie, so very much.'

'Love you too Jeff.' Jeff's hands moved to Dixie's waist and he controlled her movements a little bit. Dixie's moans came more frequently and he felt her body squeeze his length.

'Christ Dixie, you sound so beautiful when you come.' Jeff moved up into Dixie's body and held her close to him, he moved slowly as he didn't want to hurt her.

Dixie put her hands against the back wall of the bath and looked into Jeff's eyes as they made love to each other. She held Jeff close to her as he moved deep inside her body, she heard him moan and then he buried his head into her shoulder as he came inside her. Dixie kissed Jeff's head and she felt his arms wrap around her, holding her close to him, she felt safe and loved in his arms. She just let him hold her, making love always made her feel close to Jeff and she knew that it was the same for him. Jeff moved his head from Dixie's shoulder and he kissed her, Dixie smiled at Jeff and moved slowly off him and back into the water. She cuddled up to Jeff and his arms wrapped themselves around her, she loved him so much. 'Dix.'

'Yeah love.'

'How are you feeling now?'

'I'm all right, I'm not worrying so much now.'

'Good, I don't want my princess worrying.'

'I'm not, thanks to you.'

'I'm glad to hear it.' Dixie rested her head against Jeff's shoulder, she felt more relaxed and happier, Jeff talking to her and promising to be there during the birth had helped her so much.

Jeff made Dixie get out the bath and they dried each other off, they got dressed and he ordered them some breakfast. He made sure that Dixie was sitting down and resting while he took the breakfast off the tray. 'Enjoy princess.'

'Thanks Jeff, for some reason I am very hungry.' Jeff laughed and tucked into his own breakfast, he'd ordered them a full English each and he was pleased to see Dixie happily eating. He had been keeping an eye on her lately to make sure that she was eating properly and resting as much as she should. Jeff was pleased that Dixie was going to work at dispatch tomorrow as she would be able to sit down instead of running around all the time. Jeff knew that her back was sore and standing up was sometimes hard for her. He was going to miss Dixie while they were working separately but he'd rather her be there and safe than working with him.

Dixie put down her knife and fork, she'd really enjoyed the breakfast that Jeff had ordered for them. She quickly went into the bathroom and collected her things from earlier, Jeff had gone down to reception to settle the bill and he would be back shortly. The fact that she had such a supportive and loving husband made her feel good, she loved him so much and working away from him was going to be hard. His promise to be with her throughout the birth made her feel so much more relaxed and reassured about what was to come. Dixie knew that she could get through anything with Jeff by her side, she smiled as she remembered him calling her his warrior princess, it made her feel strong and powerful. Dixie stood up and went over to the roses that Jeff had bought her, they smelled wonderful and were so beautiful. She gently touched the petals and breathed in the scent. Dixie wondered if her mum and dad knew about the baby, could they see that she was going to be a mum? She wished that they were still alive so they could see their grandson, maybe they would be watching with Polly when the little boy she had conceived with Jeff arrived into the world. All she wanted was for him to be healthy and to arrive safely, she would do everything in her power to make sure that their little boy would be safe throughout his life.

Jeff went back into the hotel room and found Dixie looking out of the window and holding her flowers. 'Are you ready to go home princess?'

'Yeah, I am. Thank you for this Jeff, it has been lovely.'

'My pleasure, I love to see you smile Dixie.'

'Come on love, let's go home.' Jeff held his arm out and Dixie put hers through it, he had thoroughly enjoyed spending time alone with Dixie, he was pleased that he was able to put her mind at rest about the pregnancy and giving birth. It was normal for her to be nervous about what was to come but he would be with her through every moment, he wouldn't let her be alone.

Dixie held her flowers in her arms as Jeff drove them home, she felt relaxed and as if she'd had a week away. The thought that she was working at dispatch from tomorrow came to mind but she pushed it away, that was for tomorrow, right now she wanted to go home and relax. She was met by Sophia and John when Jeff parked the car outside the house. 'Mummy Dixie, did you like the flowers?' Sophia asked the minute that Dixie got out of the car. 'I told daddy he should get some.'

'I like them very much.'

'Can I put them in some water?'

'Of course you can sweet pea.' Dixie handed the flowers to Sophia and she ran off into the house.

'Dixie, we have some names for the baby.' Dixie took the list that John held out to her.

'Thank you John, I will look at them with your dad soon.'

'I like Matthew the best.'

'Do you?'

'Yes, but Sophia likes Sam.'

'We will let you know what we've picked when we look through the list. Where's Tamzin?'

'She's inside, I like Tamzin, she's nice, she helped us pick the names out.' Dixie smiled at John, he was so much more talkative now and she'd noticed him coming out of his shell a lot more.

Jeff looked on in pride as John talked to Dixie, he was so pleased with the changes in John, he was a lot more confident and had lost a lot of his shyness. He was about to say something to Dixie when Tamzin came out of the house. 'Hey you two.'

'Hi Tamzin, how were the kids?' Jeff asked.

'A pleasure to look after as always. Did you enjoy yourselves?'

'We did, thanks for looking after the kids for us.'

'It's no trouble, I am just glad that you enjoyed yourselves. I have to go as Tom is coming to mine tonight. I'll see you tomorrow Jeff, good luck at dispatch tomorrow Dixie.'

'Thanks Tamzin,' Dixie said and smiled at her. Jeff and Dixie both waved at Tamzin as she got into her own car and drove off. 'Jeff, look what I've got.' Dixie held out a sheet of paper with writing on it.

'What's that?'

'A list of baby names that Sophia and John picked out for us.'

'Oh, so that's what they spent last night doing.'

'Yeah, I thought we could look through them later on.'

'Good idea, come on Mrs Collier, it is time you put your feet up.'

'Now there's an offer I can't refuse.' Jeff smiled and held his arm out to Dixie, she put hers through it and they went into the house. Jeff was curious as to what names the kids had picked out for the baby, he would go through them with Dixie later on after he had made sure that she was resting, she had a big day tomorrow and he was going to make sure that she had some time to relax and got enough sleep before she started her new job in the morning.