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 and support, I really hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Forty-Five.

Dixie looked around the lounge and checked that everything was tidy and that there wasn't anything that looked too dirty or out of place, the health visitor was coming and Dixie didn't want her to find anything that she thought was a danger to Sam. It was important to Dixie that people thought she was a good mother. Sophia and John had gone back to school, Dixie was missing them, she had spent time with them while they were on holiday and now that they had gone back it was very quiet and the house seemed empty. Jeff came in with Sam and put him in his basket, Little Abs followed him and once Sam was lying down Little Abs lay down next to him. Little Abs had been looking after Sam for a few days. Once Little Abs was there and sat by the basket then nobody could move him. 'Dix, I think our little one has a protector.' Dixie turned around and she smiled when she saw Little Abs sat with their baby.

'I think so too, he won't budge, I think if anyone tried to harm our little one then Little Abs would have them.'

'Nobody is going to harm our Little Bug, I won't let them.'

'Neither will I.' Dixie went to the bookshelf and straightened the books and ornaments that were on there. 'Jeff, do you think everything looks clean enough?'

'How do you mean, it looks good enough to me.'

'Will it be good enough for the health visitor though? I don't want her to think that we are slobs and aren't looking after Sam properly.'

'She won't think that we're not looking after Sam properly. He's feeding well and gaining weight, he's just been bathed and I know in my heart that we're looking after him properly.'

'I know, I just don't want people to think that we're not doing a good job.'

'They're not going to think that princess.'

'Are you sure?'

'Very, come here Dixie.' Jeff put his arms around Dixie and hugged her. 'You are a very good mummy and nobody is going to say that you're not. You were made for this princess.'

'You're a brilliant daddy too Jeff.' Dixie snuggled into Jeff's arms and took comfort from the warmth that came off his body.

Jeff held Dixie close to him and tried his best to comfort her, he wanted Dixie to feel better about the visit from the health visitor, she was just coming to make sure that Sam was doing well, feeding properly and gaining weight. She was also coming to check on Dixie and her health after giving birth, Jeff was keeping an eye on her and making sure that she rested and put her feet up from time to time. Dixie seemed to be doing well, he knew that she was tired from waking up to feed Sam but he was making sure that she took naps throughout the day and he would take care of Sam while she got some rest. Jeff didn't want Dixie getting ill, he would make sure that she was well looked after. 'Don't worry Dixie, everything will be fine princess.'

'I hope you're right.' Jeff felt Dixie start when the doorbell rang and he steadied her with his hands.

'I am right, just sit down and relax, I'll get the door.'

'Okay.' Dixie picked Sam up and held him in her arms, she sat down on the sofa, she was nervous, she had gone through so much to be a mother and she didn't want someone coming to tell her that she wasn't looking after her son properly.

Jeff came back in with the health visitor and the woman put her bag down by the chair, she sat down and took her equipment out she placed it on the table in front of her and then folded her hands in her lap. 'Hello, I'm Patricia, you must be Kathleen and Jeff and that must be Sam.'

'Yeah, he is.'

'On this visit I will check Sam over and make sure that he is developing properly. Can I take a look at him?' Patricia stood up and held her arms out.

'Of course you can.' Dixie gave Sam to Patricia and she looked on anxiously as he was weighed.

'Seven pounds ten.'

'That seems a bit low to me, shouldn't he be heavier?'

'No, newborn babies lose some of their birth weight in the first week due to losing the excess water that they were born with. Don't worry, he has gained his birth weight back again and two ounces on top, that is a very good start.'

'Oh, good,' Dixie breathed a sigh of relief. Patricia measured Sam and noted down his body length and the size of his head. Dixie watched Patricia as she tested Sam's reactions, checked his eyes, ears and mouth and gave him a thorough check up.

'How often is he feeding?'

Usually about twelve times a day.'

'That's a good amount. How many times do you change his nappy a day?'

'Ten.'

'Very good.' Patricia made a few notes in the book she was writing in and then she closed it. 'Sam is totally healthy, I've written down his results in this book. Take it with you when you come to the clinic to have him weighed. We have a clinic once a week on Wednesday afternoon where the babies are weighed and you can ask any questions that you might have about Sam or his development. You'll need to come in every week until he is eight weeks old and then we'll look at changing it to every fortnight.'

'All right, thank you.'

'This is probably jumping ahead a bit but when he is two months old we will schedule the first of Sam's injections.'

'Okay.'

'Don't worry so much about that now though. I'll leave you a card with my number on it and if you have any pressing questions then you can call me and I will answer them for you.' Dixie felt relieved that Sam had passed all of his checks and she wasn't failing him in any way.

Jeff put his arm around Dixie, he hoped that she was feeling a bit better now, she was a perfectionist at heart and she wanted Sam to have the best. 'Now we move onto you, how are you feeling?'

'I'm okay, I feel tired occasionally but I think that is to be expected.'

'Are you breastfeeding?'

'I am, most of the time. Sometimes I express milk and Jeff feeds him.'

'Good, having dad help out with the feeds encourages a bond between them, not to mention it means you get to sleep a bit more. I don't think you are having any problems with the feeding as baby Sam is definitely gaining weight. How are you feeling emotionally? I do have to ask this as some women struggle with post-natal depression.'

'Sometimes I feel a bit under pressure, I just want Sam to have the best start in life. Jeff helps me as much as he can.'

'That is normal, every mother wants to take care of their newborn. You are doing fantastically well, I can see that Sam is healthy and happy. I hope that puts your mind at rest.'

'It does, thank you.'

'Take some time to relax and don't forget each other, if you have someone that can look after Sam for a few hours when you feel ready then you can focus on each other. Massage is the perfect way for you to get close to each other.'

'Is there any length of time we should wait to make love again?' Jeff asked.

'The only time that matters is when you feel ready, looking after a baby is exhausting, take all the time you need and discuss it between yourselves. Don't worry about making love right away, spend quality time with each other, whether that is cuddling and talking or going out for a meal. When you feel ready just take it slowly and go at your own pace.'

All right, thank you.' Jeff felt happier now that the health visitor had told them that Sam was healthy and had given them some advice.

Dixie didn't feel so bad, Patricia was a nice woman and hadn't said that she was a bad mother and seemed happy with Sam's progress. 'I have organised a six week check for you with the local doctor. It is just to make sure that everything is going well with your recovery. Sam will be checked over again and you will have another opportunity to ask any questions that you have.'

'Can we both attend the appointment?'

'Yes, fathers are quite welcome. Do you have any more questions?'

'No, not for now.'

'All right, make sure that you eat healthily and I'll leave you some information leaflets on breastfeeding and taking care of yourself and Sam. If you think of anything you want to ask me about then you can call me at any time.'

'Thank you.' Patricia stood up and picked up her bag.

'I will see you at the clinic next Wednesday. Goodbye everyone.'

'I'll show you out.' Jeff stood up and went with Patricia to the door. Dixie picked Sam up again and held him close to her, she was relieved that Patricia thought everything was going well and Sam was developing normally.

'Well done Little Bug, we've passed our test.' Dixie gently kissed Sam on the head and held him close to her.

Jeff came back in and sat next to Dixie. 'Are you feeling better now princess?'

'Lots, I am relieved that she thinks we're doing a good job.'

'Of course we are princess.'

'Jeff?'

'What is it Dix?'

'Do you want to make love again?'

'Only when you're ready sweetheart. You've only been back from the hospital for ten days and I want you to be sure that you're ready before we do anything. I am happy holding you as we sleep. I would rather that you got the rest that you need whilst you're feeding our son.'

'You feed him too.'

'I know. I'm happy to wait until the time is right, I don't want to rush you.'

'Thanks Jeff.'

'I just want the best for you and our son, I will always put you both first no matter what.' Dixie smiled and Jeff kissed her on the head. 'You're a sweet man Jeffrey Collier.'

'I am glad that you think so princess.'

'I do.' Dixie rested her head on Jeff's shoulder. 'Do you want to hold Sam for a little while?' Jeff supported Sam's head and held him close. 'Hello Little Bug, I am so proud of your mummy and you. I love you both so very much and I will always protect you.' Jeff looked down at Sam, he had grown and was feeling heavier. He couldn't wait until Sam started smiling and laughing. 'Dix, our little boy is growing so quickly, I can't wait to see him take his first steps and starts talking.'

'Me either.' Jeff stroked Sam's head and smiled down at his son.

Dixie looked at the clock, it was nearly time for them to go and get Sophia and John from school. 'Jeff, why don't you go and get Sophia and John and while you're gone I will make us something nice and we can have a family dinner together.'

'That sounds good to me princess.'

'Pick up something nice from the shop for dessert, I feel like celebrating.' Jeff smiled, it pleased him to see Dixie looking happy and more relaxed now that the health visitor had been and was pleased with the progress that Sam was making.

'All right Dix.' Jeff went over to Dixie after she had put Sam in his basket and he pulled her into his arms. He kissed her gently and then a bit deeper when Dixie opened her mouth beneath his. Jeff pulled back after a few moments and kissed Dixie on the head. 'I love you Mrs Collier.'

'Love you too Mr Collier.' Jeff kissed Dixie on the head and picked up the keys to the car.

'I'll see you soon.'

'See you soon love.' Dixie watched Jeff leave and then she turned her mind to dinner, she was going to make something wonderful for when Jeff and the kids came back to celebrate that the visit from the health visitor had gone so well.