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 squishy time for you all :)

Chapter Thirty-Seven.

Dixie had reached twenty-five weeks now, she was almost reaching her third trimester and it was just over two weeks to Christmas. They'd been buying presents for the kids and wrapping them before hiding them away so that they wouldn't find them. Jeff couldn't wait to see their faces when they opened their presents, it was their first Christmas here with him and Dixie and he wanted to make it special for them. He was going to get a big tree and decorate it with lots of decorations, lights and tinsel. Jeff couldn't wait to see the kids open their presents and do all of the things that he had missed over the years of not being with the kids. He was going to make up for it now and spend all of Christmas day with them. He'd already booked the day off and so had Dixie, he wanted to spend it with her too. She'd just been for her appointment and he had booked the day off to go with her and support her through it. The midwife was very pleased with Dixie and the baby's progress, she was very healthy and the baby's heartbeat was strong and he was growing at a good rate. From twenty-eight weeks onward her appointments would increase to once a fortnight and he would be with her as often as he could. The hospital had been very good about arranging them for when he wasn't working so he could be with Dixie at them all.

Jeff was trying to support Dixie as much as he could, he was still taking on more of the housework and doing his bit to help Dixie out. He made sure that she put her feet up and got enough rest, he found that baths helped Dixie to relax so he would run her one almost every night just so she could relax and unwind after her working day. Sometimes she would ask about how Tamzin was getting on and what he had done at work that day. Jeff thought about not telling her but it made Dixie feel better if he told her what was going on at the hospital and how they all missed her. He'd lost count of the times when people asked how Dixie and the baby were getting on, everyone missed her a lot so he took pleasure in telling them that both Dixie and the baby were getting on well. It pleased him to know that Dixie was so well loved in the department and she would be welcomed back with open arms when her maternity leave was over. He had another scan picture to add to his collection in his locker, he loved looking at them and keeping them close to him always.

Dixie looked through the latest pictures from the scan, her little boy was very healthy and growing just as he should be. 'Come on then princess, let's go.' Dixie held onto Jeff's arm and they left the clinic together.

'Jeff, can we go in and see everyone?'

'Of course we can.'

'Thanks love.' Dixie missed working with her team, she hoped that popping in to see them would help her feel better. She was still holding onto Jeff's arm as they went into the ambulance station. 'Dixie,' she heard Tamzin call when she went into the station. 'You're huge, are you sure you've not got two babies in there?'

'No, just one very big baby boy.'

'Takes after his dad in that respect.'

'Hey, I am not big.' Dixie chuckled at the expression on Jeff's face and then she kissed him.

'Look at you two, you're so cute. How are you feeling Dixie?'

'Honestly, tired and my body aches in places I didn't even know it was possible for it to ache.'

'I hope Jeffrey is looking after you.'

'He is.'

'Good, if he doesn't then I'll tell him off.'

'There's no need, really, he's been doing a lot of work around the house. How are you doing here?'

'Good, glad to hear it, you look as if you need someone helping you. Everything is fine Dixie, don't worry, I'll look after this place until you get back.'

'Thanks, it is good to know that I have someone to rely on.' Dixie hugged Tamzin, the young woman looked as if she had everything under control.

Jeff watched Dixie talking with Tamzin, it was good for Dixie to be here and visit for a while, he knew that she missed the place still. She had fitted in well at ambulance control and was quite happy with most of the people she worked with. Louise was turning out to be a constant pain but Dixie was ignoring her and he was glad about that, she did not need stress or anything that could affect her or the baby in a negative way. He was also glad that Dixie was sitting down, she found it hard to stand for long periods of time and he made sure that she had her feet up for a lot of the time, it helped with the fluid retention and swelling that she sometimes got in her feet and legs. Jeff was keeping a very close on Dixie and the swelling she was experiencing in case it got worse. He hadn't told Dixie as she would say that he was only fussing and worrying over nothing. Jeff didn't want anything to happen to Dixie or the baby and he would keep a watch on them at all times.

Dixie enjoyed talking to Tamzin but she'd got a shout and Jeff had insisted that they go home. He had been fussing around her a lot lately and she was letting him, it felt nice to be cared for and looked after, there were times when she felt so tired and worn out so having Jeff with her and doing things to help her was a huge relief. Dixie was sat on the sofa and resting with her feet up, she was relieved that most of the shopping for the baby was done now. His pram had arrived and she'd stocked up on baby wipes, nappies and all of the other essentials that she was going to need in the first weeks of their little one being born. Dixie had an idea that she wasn't going to want to move too much the first couple of days after having the baby and that a lot of her time would be spent looking after and feeding the baby and she didn't want to have to go out if she could help it. Having supplies in the house made her feel more ready and organised and less apprehensive about what was to come. Sometimes she worried about looking after the baby, what if she couldn't feed him or look after him? What if she couldn't give him what he needed? Whenever she worried then Jeff would make her feel better, he would remind her that she could do it, that she would be a very good mother. He would just hold her close so she could take comfort from his warmth, she liked listening to his heartbeat as it calmed her down whenever she was feeling stressed.

Jeff sat down next to Dixie and he kissed her on the cheek. 'How is my beautiful Dixie?'

'I'm okay Jeff.'

'Good.'

'I'm looking forward to Christmas, I can't wait to see the kids open their presents, I think they will like what we've bought for them.'

'Me too princess, do you think I've spoiled them a little bit?'

'A little bit yes, you are their dad and it is the first time you've spent Christmas with them in a long time, you're entitled to spoil them Jeff.'

'Oh good, I'm glad you think so Dixie.'

'I do, I want you to enjoy Christmas with those kids of yours.'

'Sophia is being awfully secretive over what she's got you for Christmas Dixie.'

'Let her have her secrets, she's entitled to them. If she wants to keep what she's got me a secret then she should be allowed to do that.'

I know. She loves you so much Dixie.'

'I like that she does, I love her too.'

'I often wonder if I should have tried harder to get to see them.'

'Jeff, listen to me, those kids love you, I see it all the time.'

'Thanks Dixie, I'm going to be there for our baby no matter what, I won't make the same mistakes again.'

'Jeff, are you worried about becoming a dad again?'

'A little bit.'

'You will be an excellent dad Jeff, please do not worry.'

'I love you princess, I just don't want to let you or little bug down.'

'You won't do that.'

'How do you know?'

'I just do.' Jeff rested his head against Dixie's, it made him feel good that she believed in him, he wouldn't let her down, he would reward her faith in him by being there whenever she needed him.

Dixie lay back on the sofa as Jeff rubbed moisturiser into her bump, she had noticed some stretch marks appearing on her skin and read that moisturising her belly often helped. She knew that she was going to have some there no matter how much moisturiser she put on, but, she liked Jeff carefully massaging her belly in this way. Dixie sometimes got him to do this when the baby was restless, it calmed him down and she was sure that it sent him to sleep. Sometimes he would kick whenever Jeff touched her belly, she saw the love in Jeff's eyes whenever he felt the baby kick. Sometimes he would rest his head against her belly and sing to their son, she would watch him and stroke his hair as he did this and it was a way for all three of them to be together. Dixie wondered if Jeff felt like he was missing out because he couldn't feel everything that she could, she vowed to keep him as involved as possible right until she gave birth to their son.

Jeff noted that Dixie had been encouraging him to spend time with Sophia and John, he didn't want them to feel left out just because they were having a new baby. He talked with them and encouraged them to ask any questions that they had about the baby. He'd given them another picture of their brother and sat with them just playing games or helping them with their homework. Jeff felt as if he was making up for all the time that he had lost while they were in London and he was still in Holby. He let them know how much he cared for them and loved them, he always made sure that he was there if ever they needed him. Jeff wanted Sophia and John to understand that he wouldn't love them any less just because the new baby was coming, he would love all of his children exactly the same. Jeff finished rubbing the moisturiser into Dixie's belly and he put the lid back on the bottle. 'How does that feel?'

'Lovely, thanks Jeff.'

'A pleasure as always Princess Dixie.'

'I think our little bug is asleep again, you know just how to relax us both.'

'I am glad that I can do this for you Dixie. I like taking care of you.'

'I like it too.'

'Good. The kids will be back soon.'

'I know, they'll be wanting to see the latest picture we have of their baby brother.'

'I know, I am glad we've been getting them copies, it is a good way for them to feel closer to the baby. Is there anything you need Dixie?'

'No love, I'm happy here for now.'

'Glad to hear it princess. Is there anything you want to eat for our tea?'

'No, you pick something love.'

'All right, I will.' Jeff kissed Dixie gently on the lips and then blew a kiss to her as he left the lounge to go into the kitchen, she caught it and then blew him one back. He caught the kiss in his hand and held it to his chest, just above his heart. Jeff smiled and started to think about what he was going to make for tea, he was looking forward to sitting down with the people he loved the most for a family dinner.