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 during this story. Enjoy the chapter :)

Chapter Forty-Three.

Dixie sat in the chair in the nursery beside Sam's cot as he slept, she loved watching him, they had a monitor for him so they could hear him if he woke up but she liked to sit with him while he slept. It was still sinking in that she was now a mum and had a little baby of her own to look after, the little baby she had been waiting for all of her life. Sam amazed Dixie every day with how much progress he was making, it was early days but he already looked at her and Jeff when they held him. Sam had begun to recognise their voices too, whenever she spoke to him he would turn and look at her. It pleased her that he was feeding and sleeping well, she wanted him to have the best start in life and she wanted to do everything that she could for him. She was determined to be a very good mum to Sam, just like her own mum had been to her. He was her little one and she loved him so much. Dixie gently stroked Sam's cheek as he slept, his skin was so soft and she felt his breath against her hand. 'I love you peanut, my Little Bug, everything that I had to do so you could be born was so worth it.' Dixie smiled at her son, he was perfect in every way.

It was hard work looking after a new baby, she had been back from the hospital for three days and she was a bit tired from getting up to feed Sam during the night but he was her son and she would do whatever it took to keep him safe and make sure that he is well provided for. Sam was a typical baby, he cried occasionally when he needed feeding or needed his nappy changing. Jeff was doing his best to help out with the feeding and getting Sam back to sleep when he woke up. Dixie was expressing milk so that Jeff could feed Sam with a bottle and bond with him, she thought that it was important for Jeff to get close to their son and feeding him was a way he could do that. He had taken Little Abs out for a walk with Sophia and John, it was also important for Jeff to maintain the bond he had with them both and reassure them that he loved them just as much as he always did even though there was a new baby in the house. Dixie knew that Jeff's feelings for his children wouldn't change, he would always love them.

Dixie rested her head against the top of the chair, Jeff had so much love for all of his children, she saw it whenever he was with them. Jeff has a big heart and loves easily, he'd never admit it though, he thinks that he has a certain reputation to keep up with the other people at the hospital. Dixie smiled, Jeff was very soft really, he acts like a tough man but in reality he would rather spend an evening at home with the kids and playing with them than out with the lads. Family life suited Jeff down to the ground, he is a brilliant dad and Dixie knew that he would rather die than let anything happen to the people he cared about the most. She had lost count of the times that Jeff talked about Sophia and John when they'd had to go back to London after coming to stay for a while. Dixie just let him talk and reminisce about the time he had spent with them, she would listen to him whenever he needed to talk. The time that Sophia ran away from London was the scariest time of Jeff's life, Dixie had seen the fear and worry in his eyes as they waited for the train to pull in. She'd also seen the anger towards Lucy for driving Sophia to run away in them as well. Jeff was unable to hide anything, it always showed in his eyes, she also saw the love he had for her in them too. Dixie was happy that Sam had got Jeff's eyes, they were such a beautiful colour, she loved his eyes and looking into them made her feel peaceful.

Jeff watched Sophia and John playing with Little Abs in the park, the dog loved them and he would wait for them at the door when they came home from school. Little Abs always knew when they were about to come back, he would go to the door ten minutes before they came in and would refuse to budge. He knew why Dixie had told him to take the kids and the dog to the park, she wanted him to spend time with Sophia and John as well as the baby. Jeff wanted the kids to know how he felt about them, he would always love them and spending time with them was a way to prove to them the depth of his love for them. Sophia threw the stick she held and Little Abs ran after it, he brought it back and then ran around John as he kicked his football about. Jeff was so proud of Sophia and John, they were doing well at school and had made plenty of friends. He remembered worrying that they would be bullied or end up with the wrong crowd, but, none of those things had happened. There were plenty of things to be happy about in his life; Dixie, Sophia, John and Sam. He had a good job and providing for his family made him happy, working hard to give them the best things in life completed him. Jeff looked up when Sophia came over to him. 'Daddy?'

'What is it my little princess?'

'I wanted to be a nurse but I think that I want to be a nurse that helps to bring babies into the world.'

'You want to be a midwife?'

'Do they bring babies into the world?'

'Yes princess.'

'Then I want to be one of those.'

'When did you decide this?'

'When you and mummy Dixie brought baby Sam home, he's so cute and I love him.' Jeff smiled at his daughter and hugged her, it pleased him to think that Sophia had big dreams and wanted to help people.

'I will support you in whatever you choose to do princess.'

'Thank you daddy, I'm going to go and play now.'

'All right princess.' Jeff felt a lot of love for Sophia, she would always be his little princess.

Once the kids had finished playing Jeff put the lead on Little Abs and they slowly walked home together, it had been a good day and he'd enjoyed being with the kids while they played and ran about. Jeff looked up as he passed the florist and it gave him an idea. 'Sophia, John, can you wait here a moment with Little Abs?'

'Of course we can daddy.' Jeff went into the florists and he looked around, he wanted to buy Dixie some nice flowers as a gift, his eyes settled on a very large bunch of flowers in the corner. They were perfect, lots of flowers in blue and purple colours. They were expensive but he wanted to get them for Dixie, he wanted to treat her. The woman behind the desk wrapped the flowers up in cellophane and while she was working her magic on them Jeff picked up a teddy from by the counter that was dressed in a blue sleep suit and had a nightcap on. He added the teddy to the flowers and handed over the cash for them. He thanked the florist and Jeff went outside to where the kids were waiting. 'Are you ready to go home?'

'Yes dad, can I hold Little Abs' lead while we walk?'

'Of course you can son.'

'Daddy, are those for mummy Dixie?'

'Yes, my little princess.'

'I think she will like them, they're very pretty.'

'I am glad that you think so. I hope she will like them.' Jeff held Sophia's hand as they waked back to the house, he was feeling quite happy, he couldn't wait to see Dixie and Sam.

Jeff opened the door to the house, it was quiet so he assumed that Dixie was upstairs in the nursery with Sam. Sophia and John carried on playing with Little Abs in the garden, he could hear them laughing and having fun. He put the flowers and teddy on the side and then went in search of Dixie. Jeff walked up the stairs and into the nursery, Sam was in his cot and Dixie was asleep in the chair by his side. Jeff went over to the cot and picked Sam up. 'Hello Little Bug, it looks like your mummy is tired.' Sam instantly turned to look at Jeff. 'You know your dad, don't you? I love you so very much, you have made your mummy and me so very happy. I'm just going to put you down for a moment while I wake mummy up before she gets a sore neck.' Jeff went over to Dixie and sat in front of her, she was obviously deeply asleep, he gently tapped Dixie's knee and stroked her hand to wake her up. 'Princess, wake up sweetheart.' Dixie stirred and Jeff kept on stroking her hand until her eyes opened. 'Hello princess.'

'Jeff, you're back, when did you get back?'

'Not long ago. Are you tired?'

'Not really, I was just watching Sam sleep and I got to thinking about how happy I am and I must have fallen asleep. How is our Little Bug?'

'He's fine, though he will need to be fed soon.'

'I know, do you want to do it?'

'Are you sure Dixie?'

'We said we would take it in turns to feed him.'

'I know, I am happy that you want me to feed our Little Bug.'

'Of course I do.' Jeff put his arms around Dixie and pulled her close, he tilted her head upwards and kissed her gently. 'I love you princess, always.'

'Love you too Jeff.'

'Come with me, I have a surprise for you.'

'A surprise? What is it?'

'Wait and see.' Jeff picked Sam up and took him downstairs, he made sure that Dixie was following him, he couldn't wait to see her face when she saw the flowers and teddy.

Dixie secured Sam in the little travel cot that they had bought him so they could have him downstairs with them and he could sleep in comfort. 'Princess.' She turned to see Jeff stood behind her, he was holding a bunch of flowers and a teddy.

'Jeffrey Collier, are those for me?

'Who else would they be for?' Dixie went over to Jeff and took the flowers from him.

'They're beautiful, I love them.' She took the vase out from under the sink, put some water in it and then carefully put the flowers into it. 'Thank you Jeff, I love you.'

'Love you too my princess.'

'Who is this little one?' Jeff handed Dixie the bear and she held it in her arms. 'Look at him, he's so cute, just like the man that bought him for me. What are these for?'

'For making me happy.' Dixie went over and snuggled up to Jeff, resting her head against his shoulder.

'You make me happy too.' She felt Jeff's arms wrap around her and hold her close to him, he was warm and she liked snuggling up to him.

'Come on princess, I think it is time we all had something to eat.'

'Good idea, I am hungry.'

'That's the breastfeeding princess, your body is working hard to make milk for our Little Bug.'

'I know, I can put up with a little hunger to make sure that our son gets the best start in life.'

'Go and sit down princess, I'll make us all a feast.' Dixie went into lounge, she held the teddy that Jeff had bought her and smiled, he was such a sweet man. She was looking forward to spending time with Jeff and the kids and putting them to bed with him, then cuddling up together in their own bed. Dixie smiled again as she looked at Sam sleeping in his little cot, her life was now complete.