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, I hope you like this one :)

Please note: Twas the night before Christmas belongs to Clement Clarke Moore and not to me. I claim no ownership of the piece, I am just using it in this story :)

Chapter Thirty-Eight.

Dixie sat in the bath and rested her head against the pillow that was attached to the side. She liked lying in the bath as it took the weight off her feet and soothed her aching back and legs. She was twenty-seven weeks and rapidly approaching her third trimester and the end of her pregnancy. Her due date wasn't for another thirteen weeks but Dixie was aware that her baby might not stay in her stomach that long and he might come early. She didn't mind if he arrived a little bit early as long as he arrived after thirty-seven weeks as then he would be considered full term. Dixie smiled when she felt her son moving around in her stomach, he often moved around when she was relaxing in the bath. Dixie had noticed that whenever she put her hand on her stomach then he would kick at it, she had shown Jeff and he had taken great delight in putting his hand on her stomach and feeling the little kicks that came from their son. Dixie was pleased that Jeff was bonding with their son and that he had a connection with him, she couldn't wait to see what Jeff would be like with their baby once he was born.

Dixie knew why Jeff had told her to go for a bath, he was wrapping her presents, the bath was just a ruse to get her out of the way so he could wrap up the gifts in secret. Dixie thought that it was sweet that Jeff was going to so much effort for her and wanted her to be surprised when she opened her presents. She'd wrapped Jeff's presents a long time ago and hidden them where he wouldn't find them, she really hoped that he would like what she had bought him. Dixie wanted Jeff to enjoy Christmas with the kids, he had spent so long away from them and missing Christmas with them that she really wanted this one to make up for all those that he had missed out on. She would make it as perfect as possible for Jeff and the kids.

Jeff carefully put the finishing touches to the gifts that he had wrapped for Dixie, Sophia and John were watching television downstairs and he hid Dixie's gifts back in the wardrobe. Jeff wasn't sure if Sophia believed in Santa now, he was certain that John didn't but just in case Sophia did he wasn't going to put the presents under the tree until the kids had gone to bed. He really wanted the kids to enjoy Christmas, he had gone out of his way to make it special for them. He had bought lots of nice food for them to eat and he planned to spend the day with Dixie, Sophia and John. Jeff wanted the day to be about their family and he had taken great care to plan it so that the day would go off without a hitch.

Once Jeff had put Dixie's gifts back in their hiding place he went into their room and saw her sat on their bed brushing her hair. 'Hey princess, how are you feeling?'

'I feel good, very relaxed. My hair feels so much thicker now that I'm pregnant.'

'Good, I'm glad my princess. It's the hormones, one you've had our little bug then it will go back to normal.'

'I know, it won't be long now.'

'Yeah, are you going to be all right princess?'

'What do you mean Jeff?'

'You're getting bigger and I know it is hard for you being on your feet. I see how tired you are when you come back from work. Are you resting enough?'

'Yes love, I am, don't worry.'

'It's my job to worry Dixie, you're my princess and I love you.'

'I'm okay Jeff and so is our little bug, I love you too.'

'That's good to know.' Jeff placed his hand on Dixie's belly and he kissed her gently, he put his arms around Dixie and held her close.

Dixie snuggled close to Jeff and took comfort from the warmth of his body. 'I'm looking forward to Christmas Jeff.'

'Me too Dix.'

'It is nice to have the kids in the house.'

'I know, I love them so much. Do you think they will like their presents?'

'Of course they will Jeff.'

'I hope so.'

'Your kids love you Jeff and they will love the presents that you've bought for them.'

'How do you know just how to make me feel better?'

'I know you and how much you worry about the people you care about the most.'

'Thanks Dixie.'

'You deserve it Jeff.' Dixie put her arms around Jeff. 'I think the bump is getting in the way,' Dixie said and laughed. 'We might have to find a different way of hugging.'

'I'm sure we can improvise my Dixie.'

'That we can, we're very good at that.' Dixie smiled and kissed Jeff. 'Come on love, we should go and put the kids to bed.'

'I know, they'll want to be up for Santa.' Dixie took Jeff's arm and they went to sort the kids out for bed.

Jeff sat on the chair in John's room and he waited for his son to come back from the bathroom, he wanted to talk to him. John came in and climbed into his bed, Jeff went over and sat by his son. 'Are you looking forward to Christmas?'

'I am, Sophia is too.'

'I'm looking forward to spending it with you and your sister.'

'Dad?'

'Yes John.'

'Did you miss us at Christmas when we used to live with mum?'

'Always, you were never far from my thoughts.'

'Sophia used to miss you a lot, I did too.'

'I'm sorry I wasn't there for you son, I'm going to make it up to you, I promise.'

'It's okay dad, you're here for us now.'

'I want you to do something for me John, Dixie is getting bigger with the baby and she's going to need some more help as she gets further into the pregnancy. If I'm not here for any reason will you look after her for me?'

'Of course I will dad, I like Dixie, she is kind to us and makes nice food.'

'She likes you too, thank you, I know I can rely on you to take care of Dixie for me. Goodnight my son, I am so proud of you.'

'Goodnight dad.' Jeff hugged his son and then turned when someone knocked on the door, Dixie poked her head around the door and then came in. 'Hi love.'

'Hi Dixie, is everything all right?'

'Yes love, Sophia is asking for you.'

'All right.' Jeff wished John goodnight again and left the room, he smiled when he heard Dixie talking to John about Christmas and wishing him goodnight. He felt more relaxed now that he knew John would take care of Dixie if he wasn't around or had to go out.

Jeff went into Sophia's room and closed the door behind him. 'Hello my little princess.'

'Hello daddy.' He sat down on Sophia's bed and smiled at her. 'Daddy, are you going to put out some milk and cookies out for Santa?'

'Of course we will.'

'Thank you.'

'You're welcome my little princess.'

'Don't forget the carrots for Rudolph and the reindeer.'

'Of course not, we can't forget those.'

'Daddy, will you tell me a story?'

'Of course I will.'

'Will you hug me?'

'Yes, I will.' Jeff climbed into Sophia's bed and held her. 'Are you sitting comfortably?'

'Yes daddy.'

'Then I'll begin.' Jeff closed his arms around Sophia and began his story.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

'Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!'

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!'

Dixie had come in towards the end of Jeff's story and she smiled at him and Sophia, Jeff gently lay Sophia down on her pillow, pulled her quilt up to keep her warm and kissed her on the head. 'Goodnight my little princess.'

'Goodnight daddy.'

'I love you sweetheart.'

'Daddy, I can hear sleigh bells.'

'I can too princess.' Dixie smiled and took Jeff's hand when he came over to her, they left Sophia's room and closed the door quietly. 'That was so sweet Jeffrey.'

'My mum used to tell me that story on Christmas Eve every year.'

'Now you're telling it to your daughter.'

'I am, it feels good. Come on Mrs Collier, Santa is on his way.' Dixie and Jeff put all of the presents under the tree and left some crumbs and a glass that had a little bit of milk left in the bottom. Dixie understood that Jeff wanted to keep Sophia's belief in Santa alive a little bit longer. Once they were certain that everything was perfect Dixie and Jeff went into their bedroom and got themselves ready for bed, they were looking forward to celebrating Christmas together with the kids in the morning. Dixie cuddled up to Jeff and smiled at him, she loved him and the kids with all of her heart, she was going to make sure that tomorrow was wonderful and enjoyable for all of them. Dixie closed her eyes and snuggled as close as she could to Jeff, he was warm and she loved the feeling of his arms around her, protecting her and their baby and holding her close. 'Goodnight Jeffrey, I love you.'

'I love you too princess, goodnight my Dixie. Goodnight Little Bug.'

'Goodnight peanut.' Dixie smiled and put her hand on top of Jeff's where it lay on her belly, life was perfect.