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 and support, more little bug squish, enjoy.

Chapter Forty-Two.

Jeff sat in the chair by Dixie's bed with Sam in his arms, the midwife had put a cot in the room a while ago but Jeff didn't want to put him down even for a moment. The midwife had checked Sam over a few hours later and he was pleased to find out that their son was totally healthy. Sam had passed all of the newborn checks with flying colours. Jeff marvelled at the tiny fingers and hands of his son, he had forgotten how small babies could be when they were first born. It reminded him of when John and Sophia were first born, they had been tiny too. Jeff looked down at his son, he was falling in love with the tiny little being in his arms. He took in Sam's perfect features; the eyes with the long eyelashes, his tiny little nose that was so much like Dixie's and his small mouth. Jeff held his son close and kissed him on the head. 'Hello Little Bug, I'm your dad, I love you and your mummy so very much. Your mummy is a special lady, she's so brave and we're lucky to have her. She had to have an operation so she could bring you into the world.' Jeff gently rocked his son in his arms, he was amazed at how much his little one had slept since he had been born.

Dixie had worked hard to bring their boy into the world and the labour had exhausted her, she was sleeping peacefully and had been for a few hours. Jeff was so proud of Dixie and how she had given birth to Sam with only the aid of gas and air. He carefully flexed the hand that Dixie had held onto during labour, it was a bit sore where she had squeezed it during her contractions but Jeff didn't mind. Dixie had endured a lot more pain during labour and Jeff was glad that he could be there for her and support her throughout every moment. Jeff noticed that Sam was waking up and he gently stroked Sam's cheek as he gave a little cry. 'Hush Little Bug, you'll wake your mummy and she needs to rest.' Jeff stood up and walked around the room and rocked Sam in his arms, he was pleased when Sam settled down and stopped crying, it meant that he hadn't lost his touch as a dad.

Dixie opened her eyes and took in her surroundings, hospital, she remembered going into labour and giving birth to Sam. She looked around and saw Jeff stood up, he was holding their son and gently stroking his fingers. Jeff was engrossed in holding their son and talking to him, it gave Dixie a warm feeling in her heart to watch them together. She didn't want to disturb the moment so she just carried on watching Jeff and smiled. 'Jeff,' Dixie quietly called out and he turned around.

'Hey princess, how are you feeling?'

'A little bit tired, but happy. How is our little boy?'

'I think he wants a hug from his mummy.' Dixie carefully supported Sam's head as Jeff handed him to her. Jeff sat on the edge of the bed and Dixie rested against his shoulder as she held her son.

'Jeff, our little one has your eyes.'

'Do you think so?'

'I do, I would know that colour anywhere.'

'He has your nose Dix, the same cute little button nose as my lovely wife.'

'You're sweet Jeff, I love you.'

'I love you too princess.' Dixie smiled at Jeff and snuggled up to him, she was happy and her little boy seemed content lying in her arms.

'Did I hurt your hand? It looks a bit sore.'

'A little bit, it doesn't matter princess, I am sure you were in more pain.'

'I don't remember the pain, I remember the feeling of being complete the minute that Sam was placed in my arms.' Dixie stroked Jeff's hand and hoped that he wasn't in too much pain.

Jeff let the midwife in when she knocked on the door. 'Mrs Collier, you're awake, how are you feeling?'

'Tired, a little bit sore but I'm okay.'

'The pain you're feeling will ease, if you need to then you can take some ibuprofen to help in the meantime, drinking plenty of water will help you too. I need to do some basic checks to make sure that you're ready to go home.' Jeff held Sam in his arms as the midwife checked Dixie over; she took her pulse, temperature and checked Dixie's blood pressure. The midwife also took Dixie to the bathroom to make sure that she could pass urine properly and then brought her back to do an internal exam.

Once she had finished the exam the midwife wrote her findings down in Dixie's notes. 'Your uterus has begun to contract and return to its natural position, you will feel some contractions while this process continues. Breastfeeding will help encourage this to happen, it says in your notes that you are planning to breastfeed your son.'

'I am.'

'If you require any help with feeding then you can ask me at any time. Other than that I am satisfied that you and your baby are healthy and you may leave any time that you wish. I'll leave the information on caring for Sam's umbilical stump here for you to read at your leisure.'

'Thank you,' Dixie smiled at the midwife, she really was looking forward to going home.

The midwife left Jeff and Dixie alone and Jeff joined Dixie on the bed, he wanted to be near her and take care of her. Sam gave a little whimper and Jeff carefully handed him to Dixie. 'I think our little boy is hungry princess.'

'Me too.' Dixie started to undo the buttons on her nightdress; she had a few of them that undid for easy access when she needed to feed Sam. 'Do you want me to leave for a few minutes while you feed him?'

'Why?'

'Lucy didn't like me watching her when she fed either of the kids.'

'I'm not Lucy, I want you to stay.' Jeff was relieved that Dixie wanted him around while she fed Sam. He wanted to share all of these moments with her. Dixie gently encouraged Sam to latch onto her breast and she smiled as he started feeding.

'You're a natural, princess. I always knew that you would be.'

'I am glad that Sam is feeding well, it worried me that I might not be able to feed him naturally.'

'It doesn't look as if he has any complaints to me.' Jeff heard the sigh of relief that came from Dixie, he stroked Dixie's hair and watched their son take his first proper feed. Jeff felt so privileged to be allowed to watch Dixie breastfeed their son, it was a new experience for him and he loved it.

Jeff held Sam as Dixie dressed herself again, he was bit restless and seemed uncomfortable. 'I think someone needs burping.' Jeff went to hand him back to Dixie, he wanted to do it but he thought that Dixie might want to. 'Why don't you burp him Jeff?'

'Shouldn't you do it?'

'I trust you.' Jeff put a towel over his shoulder and rested Sam's chin on it as he held him securely, he gently patted Sam's back and after a couple of pats he heard him burp. 'Now who's a natural?' Jeff smiled, it pleased him that Dixie trusted him with their son. Lucy had always insisted that she be the one to take care of the kids when they were babies. Jeff was relieved that Dixie wasn't the same, he was going to be there for her and Sam and support her as much as he could.

Dixie let Jeff help her get dressed once she had finished feeding Sam, she made sure that she had everything and then zipped up her bag. There was another knock at the door and Tamzin popped her head around it. 'Hey, can I come in?'

'Of course you can,' Dixie said and smiled at Tamzin.

'Thanks. You look well, how did it go?'

'All right, I am tired but happy. They've said I can go home which is good. I want to introduce Sophia and John to their new baby brother.'

'Speaking of the little one, where is he?'

'He's behind you.' Jeff brought Sam over to Tamzin and she smiled.

'He's adorable, can I hold him?'

'Of course you can,' Jeff said and handed Sam over to Tamzin.

'Hello little one, you're so beautiful. How much did he weigh? Did you go with the names you originally thought of?'

'Seven pounds and eight ounces. We did.'

'He's so cute, congratulations you two.'

'Thanks Tamzin.' Tamzin gave Sam back to Jeff and hugged Dixie.

'Everyone in the department keeps asking after you, can I take a picture of you all to show them?' Jeff and Dixie sat together with Dixie holding Sam in her arms, Tamzin took the picture of them all and then one of Sam by himself. 'I can't wait to show everyone, they're going to love him.'

'I'll bring him in to see everyone in a couple of days when we're settled at home.'

'Good, I'll see you soon.'

'Tamzin, can you arrange for me to have some paternity leave?'

'Of course I can, it would be my pleasure.'

'Thanks.'

'You're welcome.' Tamzin said goodbye and left Jeff and Dixie alone once more.

Jeff and Dixie thanked the hospital staff that had helped them during Dixie's labour before they left the hospital. They made sure that Sam was dressed warmly and wouldn't get cold as they walked to the car. Jeff secured Sam in his car seat and double checked it to make sure that he would be safe throughout the journey, he held the door for Dixie as she got in and then he closed it again. They'd let Nadia know that they were coming home and Jeff had heard the kids in the background, they were so excited about meeting their new brother. Jeff almost drove home on auto pilot, he was so happy that their son had been born safely and Dixie was safe and on her way home with him. He had asked Tamzin for time off so that he could support Dixie in looking after Sam. Jeff wanted to be there for them both and help with getting Sam settled into a routine. He wanted to help with feeding and general care of their baby.

Dixie got out of the car and she took Sam out of his car seat, Jeff locked up the car and she put her hand on his shoulder, he turned to face her and she smiled at him. 'Jeff, I wanted to thank you.'

'What for princess?'

'For loving me and giving me the chance to be a mum.'

'You mean the world to me and I would do anything to make you happy.'

'Thank you Jeff, I love you.'

'I love you too. You've made me happy too. I am so looking forward to spending time with you and our Little Bug.'

'I am glad you're taking some time off.'

'Me too.' Jeff leaned in and gently kissed Dixie. 'Come on princess, I believe we have to introduce our little one to his brother and sister.'

'I am looking forward to this.' Dixie smiled and followed Jeff into the house.

Jeff was ambushed by Sophia and John the minute he walked into the house. 'Daddy, where's mummy Dixie. I want to see my little brother.'

'She's coming, why don't you go and sit down and then you can see your little brother.'

'Okay daddy.' Sophia ran over to the sofa and she sat down.

'Dad?'

'What is it?' Jeff listened intently to his son as he talked.

'Are Dixie and the baby all right?'

'They are fine, would you like to hold your baby brother?'

'I would like that very much. Go and join your sister.'

'Okay dad.' John went and sat with his sister as Dixie came in, he put his arm around her waist and they went over to the kids.

Dixie sat down with Sam in her arms and she smiled as John and Sophia both looked at him. 'This is Samuel Matthew Arthur Collier and he is your little brother. Would you like to hold him John?' John nodded and Dixie handed Sam to him, showing him how to support his head. 'What do you think?'

'He's so small.'

'He is, I can trust you to look after him, you're his big brother and I know that you will protect him.'

'I will.' Dixie let John hold his little brother a little longer and then she gave Sam to Sophia.

'He's so lovely and cute mummy Dixie. I love him.' Dixie smiled, she knew that John and Sophia would take care of their little brother, they were kind and caring and she had loved introducing him to them. She sensed their happiness at their little brother having the names that they had picked out as their favourites. Dixie was happy, it was a simple happiness that started in her heart and spread through her body. Her dreams of being a mum had come true, it had taken some time but now that it had happened she found the reality was much better than her dreams.

Jeff joined his family, he had watched all of the people that were precious to him together and now he wanted to spend some time with them. He hugged John and Sophia and kissed them both on the head. He was happy that they both had got to meet their little brother and the meeting had gone very well. Jeff turned to Dixie and kissed her and then the newest member of their family. The warm feeling in his heart increased, he loved them all so very much and he would protect them all, nobody would hurt them while he was around. The feeling that he was blessed came back to Jeff and he looked around at his family, he definitely felt like a very lucky man right now.