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, get the tissues out ladies, you might need them as I got a little bit teary whilst writing this.

Chapter Forty-One.

Dixie lay quietly in bed, Jeff was cuddled up to her back and his hand was resting on her belly, she had been awake for some time but she didn't want to disturb Jeff as he was on the early shift and she wanted him to be well rested for the day ahead, she didn't want him working and driving while he was tired. The kids were on half term and she was looking after them with some help from Nadia while Jeff worked. Dixie was now thirty-eight weeks gone and two weeks from her due date but she didn't think that she was going to last that long. For the past hour or so she'd been having cramps in her stomach and pains in her back. Dixie thought that they had just been Braxton Hicks like before but now she wasn't so sure. She felt a sudden urge to go to the toilet and she moved as quickly as she could into the bathroom. Dixie sat down and relaxed, her stomach cramped up and she breathed deeply through the slight pain. She sat still and felt something slip down and out of her, Dixie slowly stood up and saw the mucus plug that had been holding her cervix closed in the toilet bowl. There was no denying it now, she was definitely in labour. 'Come on Little Bug, let's go and tell your daddy you'll be joining us soon.' Dixie made her way back into the bedroom and she sat down on the bed next to the still sleeping Jeff.

Jeff felt someone gently shaking him and he opened his eyes to see Dixie sat next to him. 'Princess, is everything all right?'

'Jeff, promise me that you won't panic.'

'Dix, telling me not to panic makes me want to panic.'

'Promise that you will stay calm.'

'Okay, I promise.'

'Our Little Bug is on his way.'

'How do you know?'

'I've been getting stomach cramps and pains in my back and they're getting stronger.' Jeff stood up and started to get dressed. 'Jeff, what are you doing?'

'We've got to get to the hospital.'

'You know as well as I do that they would just send me home. I'm still in the very early stages of labour and they won't take me until later on.'

'But Dixie, you and our Little Bug should be in hospital and monitored.'

'Jeff, calm down love. We have time before we need to run off to the hospital.'

'How are you so calm?'

'I'm just taking it all in right now, I probably won't be so calm later on.'

'Do you need me to do anything?'

'Get back into bed with me.'

'All right princess.' Jeff went to help Dixie back into bed when she gasped in pain. 'Dix?'

'Contraction.' Jeff held Dixie's hand and rubbed her back gently.

'Is that helping?'

'Lots, keep doing that.' Jeff kissed Dixie on the head and sat with her. 'It's going now, thanks for that Jeff.'

'That was about forty seconds Dixie, you are still in early labour.'

'I told you so.' Jeff smiled, despite being in labour and in pain Dixie was still very much herself.

Dixie was lying on her side with the pillow Jeff had bought her under her stomach, Jeff was stroking her back every time she had a contraction. She had tried to make Jeff go back to sleep but he refused, she was glad, she didn't much want to be alone while she was in labour. Jeff was currently stroking her hair while she rested after her last contraction. 'Dixie, I'm going to call Tamzin and let her know what is happening. I'm not going into work, I'll be with you throughout every moment.'

'Thanks Jeff.'

'No need to thank me sweetheart.' Dixie smiled and gently rubbed her belly, their little boy would be with them in a few hours time. She was nervous about giving birth but Jeff was going to be with her all of the time, she had nothing to fear with Jeff by her side.

Jeff called Tamzin, there was no way he was going into work today. 'Hello.'

'Hey Tamzin, I can't make it in today. Dixie has gone into labour and she needs someone with her.'

'Of course, I understand, I'll get someone in from the agency to cover you. How far along is she?'

'Not far, it is still early, we're staying at home for now.'

'That's probably for the best. Keep me posted, give Dixie my love.'

'I will do, thanks Tamzin.'

'You're welcome, I'll come and see you when the little one is born, bye Jeff.'

'Bye Tamzin.' Jeff put the phone down and went to sit next to Dixie, he kissed her head and stroked her hair. 'Tamzin sends her love.'

'Is she all right?'

'She's fine, it is you we need to think about.'

'I'm okay, I'm a bit hungry though.'

'I'll make you some toast, will you be all right?'

'Yeah, I'll be fine.' Jeff kissed Dixie's head again and left the room, he was happy that he could stay with her and didn't have to go into work.

Dixie ate the toast that Jeff brought to her in the break between her contractions, he'd gone to wake the kids and let them know what was going on. She felt better for having some food in her stomach even though her contractions were getting stronger and more frequent she was coping with them. Having Jeff by her side was helping her and so was focusing on the ultimate goal of holding their baby in her arms. Jeff came back into the room and sat by her side, he took Dixie's hand in his. 'The kids are having breakfast and will get themselves ready when they're finished. I've called Nadia and she's going to come over as soon as she can. How are you princess?'

'I'm all right, I'm coping. It's a bit painful but knowing that we'll be holding our little boy soon is keeping me going.'

'You're doing well Dixie, you're my brave princess.' Dixie gripped Jeff's hand as another contraction started and Dixie found that she was having to breathe through them a lot more now. Jeff tracked the time and duration of Dixie's contractions and he'd noticed that the time between contractions was getting shorter and they were lasting a lot longer than before. 'Dixie, we're going to have to go to the hospital soon. Your contractions are every four minutes and are lasting nearly a minute.'

'I know, can you help me get ready?'

'Of course I can.' Dixie stood up with Jeff's help and she got dressed in between her contractions.

Jeff picked up the bag that Dixie had packed and they slowly made their way down the stairs, he was aware that Dixie's contractions were more painful now and he wanted to make the journey as comfortable as possible for her. The kids were waiting for them when they got downstairs and Dixie hugged them both. 'Good luck Dixie,' John said and she smiled at him.

'Mummy Dixie, I can't wait to see my little brother.'

'I know sweet pea, he'll be here soon.'

'Can we come and see you when you've had the baby?'

'Of course you can.' Dixie waved at the kids and Nadia as she got into the car and she let Jeff help her put the seatbelt on. Jeff got in and started the engine, he hoped that they would make it to the hospital before Dixie gave birth to their son, he had called the maternity ward and let them know that they were coming.

Dixie concentrated on her breathing throughout the journey to the hospital and they were met by a midwife at the entrance to the maternity ward. 'Come with us Mrs Collier, we have your room ready. How are you feeling?'

'I'm okay, I think.'

'We'll get you comfortable and then we'll see how far along you are.' Dixie held onto Jeff's arm as they walked through the ward and into her room. 'If you would like to get undressed and into a nightgown, I'll be back shortly.' The midwife shut the blinds at the windows and then left Dixie and Jeff alone.

Jeff helped Dixie into her nightgown and then onto the bed, he sat by her side and put his arms around her. 'I love you princess.'

'I love you too Jeff.'

'You're very calm for how close you are to giving birth.'

'I know, would it help if I threatened your manhood?' Jeff laughed and kissed Dixie on the head.

'I think we'll leave that for later.' Jeff stroked Dixie's hair as she rested her head against his shoulder. The midwife came back in and she smiled.

'Okay, Mrs Collier, let's see how far along you are.' Jeff held Dixie's hand and stroked the back of it. 'How many weeks pregnant are you?'

'Thirty-eight.'

'Good, have you had a show and have your waters broken?'

'I've had a show but my waters are still intact.'

'All right. Have you felt your baby moving today?'

'Yes, it is how I noticed my contractions had started.'

'How far apart are your contractions?'

'Every three minutes and they last about a minute and a half.'

'I'm just going to do some checks on you and your baby, lie down for me.' Jeff watched the midwife feel Dixie's belly as she lay back on the bed. 'Good, your baby's head is engaged and in the right position for birth. I'm just going to listen to your baby's heartbeat.' Jeff squeezed Dixie's hand as their baby's heartbeat came through the monitor that the midwife held. 'Nice and strong, your labour is progressing nicely. I just need to see how dilated you are.' The midwife did an internal exam and made some notes on her clipboard. 'Okay, you're eight centimetres dilated and are starting in transition. If you need to use the gas and air then the mouthpiece is by your bed. I'll be back to check on you shortly.'

'Thank you.' Jeff kissed Dixie's head and held her close, it looked as if it was going to be a little while before Dixie gave birth.

Dixie sat back against the pillows, she was happy right now, her contractions hurt but she was dealing with them with the help of the gas and air, she was determined to make it through without needing drugs if she could. The midwife had been back at regular intervals to run some checks and make sure everything was okay. Dixie's waters had broken some time ago and she was almost ready to give birth. 'Jeff, what if I can't do this?'

'You can do this princess, I know you can.' Dixie held onto Jeff's hand, she hoped that he was right.

'Okay Mrs Collier, I need you to pant for me, don't push just yet.' Dixie followed the instructions that she was given. 'The head is out, take a moment to rest and then I'll need you to push for me.' Dixie gratefully rested her head against the pillows and looked at Jeff who was stood beside her.

'You're doing well princess, I'm so proud of you.'

'Am I?'

'Yes princess.' Dixie took comfort from Jeff being by her side and holding her hand, she really needed him right now.

Jeff watched as Dixie pushed hard to bring their baby into the world, he gently wiped away the tears that dropped from her eyes, Jeff hated Dixie being in pain and he wanted to help her get through it in any way that he could. 'You're doing well my princess, almost there now sweetheart.' He stroked Dixie's hair and whispered words of encouragement to her as she followed the midwife's instructions. Time seemed to slow down for Jeff as he watched their son slowly slip out of Dixie's body and into the midwife's hands. 'You did it princess, I'm so proud of you.' Dixie smiled at Jeff and cuddled up to him.

'Is it over, is our baby here? Is he all right?'

'Yes princess, you did very well.' Jeff heard their son cry as the midwife weighed him, cleaned him up and noted his birth time and weight on the clipboard, there certainly wasn't anything wrong with his lungs. The midwife came over with their little boy wrapped in a warm towel and handed him to Dixie. 'Congratulations, you have a healthy baby boy.' Jeff watched Dixie hold their little boy, he stopped crying the minute he was put into Dixie's arms and she held him close to her chest. Jeff realised that he was crying because he was so happy, the tears slipped down his face. 'Dixie, my princess, he's beautiful, just like his mum.' Jeff put his arms around Dixie and their baby boy. 'I love you both, so very much.'

'I love you too Jeff. I love you my Little Bug,' Dixie whispered to their son. Jeff smiled, their little boy was here and he was healthy.

Dixie felt better once the placenta had been delivered and she had the chance to clean herself up, she was sat up in bed and Jeff was holding their little boy in his arms wrapped in the blanket and dressed in the little suit and hat that the E.D staff had bought him. She loved watching how gentle he was with their newborn, he was humming a tune as he rocked their baby in his arms. Jeff looked so happy, all of the hard work had been worth it, she had the child that she had craved for so long. 'Jeff, come here love.' Jeff came over and sat on the bed. 'Being a dad suits you.'

'I am so happy princess.'

'Me too. Shall we tell him his name?'

'I personally like Little Bug.' Dixie smiled and Jeff smiled back.

'We can't call him that forever.'

'You're right.'

'Tell him his name Jeffrey.'

'Welcome to our family Samuel Matthew Arthur Collier.'

'I hope my dad is proud of me, he finally has the grandson that he'd always wanted.'

'Of course he is princess, I don't doubt that he's watching this scene with Polly and they're both smiling down us.'

'That's beautiful Jeff.' Dixie felt tears slip down her face and she cuddled up to Jeff as she yawned.

'I think my princess is tired, get some sleep sweetheart, you've worked hard today.' Dixie lay back in the pillows and felt Jeff kiss her head as she fell asleep.