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, more Collier squishiness :)

Chapter Forty.

The new year had passed very uneventfully for Jeff and Dixie, they spent it together and just cuddled up on the sofa watching the celebrations around the country on the television with Little Abs sat at their feet. Dixie wasn't able to celebrate much as she was well into her twenty-eighth week and being on her feet was hard enough at work so he wanted her to rest whenever she had the chance. Jeff was quite happy cuddling up to Dixie on the sofa and just being with her throughout the evening. Later on they watched the fireworks out of their bedroom window, he had stood behind Dixie with his hands on her belly when the clock signalled midnight and the first minutes of the new year ticked by. It was a new year now and it was going to start brilliantly with the birth of their child in eight weeks time. It amazed Jeff how quickly the weeks had passed and how soon it had got to Dixie finishing her time working at ambulance dispatch and starting her rest period at home before giving birth. Jeff was relieved, he had seen how worn out Dixie was after working all day at the dispatch centre even though she wasn't on her feet. Louise had continued to be her usual self all the time that Dixie had been working there and for the most part Dixie had ignored her and let anything that she said go over her head.

It made Jeff happy that Dixie was seeing the midwife every two weeks, he just wanted her and their Little Bug to be healthy and taken care of. Every time that they saw the midwife it made him happy that she was pleased with the progress that Dixie and the baby were making. The pregnancy wasn't totally problem free, Dixie sometimes had trouble sleeping but putting a pillow under her belly seemed to help so he had bought her a special cushion that she used for supporting her bump. The morning after Dixie struggled sleeping she was always cranky and Jeff had to be careful not to upset her as her hormones meant that she got emotional and cried easily. He was being patient with Dixie though, she was carrying his child and he wanted to make the time as easy as possible for her.

Jeff found that massaging Dixie's belly and back helped her to relax in the evening and calmed her so that she could sleep. Jeff was so proud of Sophia and John and the way that they were continuing to help Dixie out around the house, they loved her and the idea of looking after her appealed to them. He'd talked to the kids about seeing their mum now that she was a lot better, but, they hadn't talked about it since as the kids had said that they weren't ready to see her just yet. Jeff respected their decision, if they wanted to see Lucy then they would do it in their own time. He wasn't going to force them to go, it was a difficult situation and the kids had been through a difficult time, forcing them to see their mum would only make it worse.

Dixie was somewhat happy that she had finished work and the end of her pregnancy was in sight, she was bored being at home every day but it did allow her to concentrate on sewing and knitting things for the baby. She had grown bigger in the past month, she wasn't sure that it was possible for her belly to get bigger but every day that went by seemed to prove her wrong. She felt as if she was waddling about a lot of the time, how women went about their lives and worked right until they went into labour, she didn't know, perhaps they had a smaller belly than she did. Dixie still had two months to go and she found that she was having to take naps during the day as the baby kept her awake at night. She didn't mind that he was squirming about and keeping her awake, it meant that their little boy was happy and healthy. Dixie found that her back and the lower part of her stomach was beginning to hurt a lot more now, combined with needing to pee so much more again was making her feel very fed up. The bigger feeling was that she wanted to hold her son and she was getting very impatient.

The ante-natal classes had started yesterday evening and Jeff hoped that it would put Dixie's mind at rest over what was to come. Jeff had his shares of worries too, mainly about seeing Dixie in pain for a long time, how would he cope with it? The first lesson had consisted of learning about pain relief and the different types that can be used. Dixie hadn't decided fully what type she wanted to use just yet but he would support her in whatever choice she eventually made, he would be there with her through every moment no matter how long the birth took. Tamzin had taken the kids to the cinema as a treat so he could spend the evening with Dixie. Jeff had called Dixie during the day to make sure that she was all right and resting whenever she needed to, it helped to set his mind at rest that Dixie was okay. He had cooked for her and now they were snuggling up together on the sofa. 'Dixie, are you really worried about giving birth?'

'A little bit, it is normal to be nervous. What about you Jeff?'

'Me? You're the one that has to go through the hours of pain.'

'I'll be all right, I'll have you by my side.

'Count on it princess, I won't leave you for a second.'

'Thanks Jeff.'

'It's all right my princess, I want to be there.'

'We need to make sure we're prepared for the day when I go into labour. I know it isn't going to be yet but I don't want to be worrying about everything.'

'I understand, it makes sense to be prepared.'

'It does, I have put together a list of things we need and put them in as they're organised and ready.'

'That sounds like a good idea to me.'

'I packed a bag ready for me to go to hospital with, it has everything that I need for the day that I have the baby. Once the camera I ready I will put it in the bag and everything will be sorted. I'm going to leave it by the door so that we can grab it on the way out.' Jeff knew that preparing in advance was Dixie's way of setting her mind at rest and getting herself ready for giving birth. 'Is there anything else you need to do Dixie?'

'I'm going to keep a set of clothes by the bed just in case we have to get up in a hurry, will you do the same?'

'Of course I will.' Jeff stroked Dixie's hair and kissed her, he would do anything to help her get ready and feel totally prepared for going into hospital.

Dixie snuggled into Jeff's arms and took comfort from him holding her close, she closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. Dixie gasped as a twinge of pain started at the base of her stomach and all of her muscles tightened up. 'Dixie, what's wrong? Talk to me princess.' Jeff's voice was filled with concern and she felt him put his arm around her.

'Braxton Hicks, it is just my body preparing for giving birth. We can expect them to happen from now until I give birth.'

'Do they hurt?'

'A little bit, it feels as if my muscles are squeezing and tensing up one by one.' Dixie breathed deeply through the pain and took comfort from Jeff gently rubbing her belly and whispering soothing words to her. Dixie closed her eyes and kept her breathing slow and steady and her stomach muscles relaxed again. 'It's over, phew, thank you Jeff.'

'Is there anything I can do to help you with the pain Dixie?'

'Just sit with me, they only last about thirty seconds and then it is over.'

'Have you had any of those pains before this one?'

'No, that was my first one.'

'My poor Dixie, you've got it to deal with it all, haven't you?'

'It's all part of pregnancy Jeff, it will be worth it when we have our little boy.'

'I know, I just hate to think of you in pain.' Dixie snuggled herself into Jeff's arms again, having Jeff beside her whilst her body worked through the fake contraction had helped, she hoped that Jeff being there would help her through the real ones just as much as it had today.

Jeff had been scared for a moment, he really thought that Dixie was going into labour early but he felt a lot better when he realised that it was just the Braxton Hicks and the contraction wasn't real. Jeff really wanted to stay home with Dixie but he knew what she would say to that. 'Dixie, has the pain come back?'

'No love, everything is calm again.'

'Good, glad to hear it princess.'

'Our baby is quieter these days, he's almost too big for my womb now, I can feel him squirming about but not moving as much.'

'He'll be with us soon, I can't wait.'

'I know how you feel Jeff. Our Little Bug will be upside down by now and in the right position to make his entrance into the world.'

'That's good, at least he's not going to come into the world arse first.' Dixie laughed and it made Jeff smile to hear it.

'You have a lovely turn of phrase dear Jeffrey.'

'It made you smile and laugh though.'

'I suppose it did.' Jeff put his arm around Dixie and kissed her on the head, he was glad that she was still laughing and able to smile despite being uncomfortable.

Dixie sighed happily being with Jeff made her feel safe, he was protective of her and looked after her well. 'Dix?'

'Yeah.' Dixie had drifted into her own little world when Jeff started stroking her hair, she hadn't even realised that he had been speaking to her.

'The kids are on half term in March, do you think that you will need Nadia to take on some more of the work around the house?'

'I don't know, maybe.' Nadia had been taking the kids to school and picking them up as she did when Dixie and Jeff were at work so that Dixie could lie in if the baby had kept her awake at night.

'Don't take this the wrong way princess but you're not moving about as quick these days.'

'I know I'm not. I feel like I'm waddling like a duck.'

'A very cute duck though.'

'Jeffrey, do you mind that we can't make love?'

'No princess, cuddling up to you and supporting you in my arms is enough for me.' Dixie smiled at Jeff and hugged him, she slept better when she felt Jeff's strong body resting against her back, she knew that he would always take care of her and their baby.

Jeff played with Dixie's hair as he held her. 'Do you think we've chosen the right name for him Jeff?'

'Yes, I do, don't worry princess. Another Collier is about to be born into the world.'

'If he's anything like you then I wonder how the world will cope.'

'Hey, I resent that comment. What do you mean by that anyway?'

'You do have a habit of getting yourself into trouble and then I have to rescue you and get you out of it.'

'That is so not true, I think someone is making up lies Mrs Collier.'

'I do not lie, I seem to remember someone going into a burning building and getting brought out of there in a fireman's lift by a female fire fighter.'

'Don't remind me, I thought she was a guy and that she was going to chuck me back inside for my comments about women.' Dixie laughed and Jeff pouted, he knew that it wasn't one his best moments and that Dixie had been worried about him while he was in there. They laughed about it now but at the time Dixie hadn't seen the funny side of it at all. Jeff smiled, they had come so far over the years, it made him feel quite sentimental. There was no way that he would put himself in danger like that ever again, he had too many good things in his life and he wanted to be around for a long time so that he could enjoy them.