Title: Moving On
Author: Raven Shadowrose
Rating: M
Pairing:?/?
Summary: Dixie has been left broken hearted by Cyd's departure from the Holby team, what happens when Cyd is replaced by Hannah Darbyshire and Dixie takes a liking to her. Will she end up with even more of a broken heart or will she find the happiness that she has been searching for?
Disclaimer: I do not know or own any of the characters from Casualty, all original characters and the story are my property and I do not give permission for anyone else to use this story.
Author's Note: This story will contain will contain some femslash, if you do not wish to read it then by all means back away slowly the way you came, other than that enjoy the story and reviews are appreciated :)
Thank you to chan. nelson444, olivia. c. king1 and beethovenRIP for your comments. It is nearly the end now...
Chapter Forty-Nine.
Dixie and Hannah had visited Lawrence every day for as long as they were allowed to at visiting times and it had always been hard for Hannah to leave him at the end of every visit. Dixie was glad that Lawrence was coming home today, it meant that Hannah would be able to spend some time with him without having to leave at the end of visiting hours. Hannah had talked to his doctors and found out that he was on a lot of pain relief to help with the pain that came from the injury to his stomach and liver, she knew that he hadn't told Hannah because she would only worry about him. It was going to take three weeks of rest and staying at home for him to recover fully. The nurses would be in every day to change his dressings and see if he needed any help. Hannah would have stayed to look after her father but he didn't want her to see him when he was like this. Dixie knew that it was because his injuries would upset Hannah, he had explained and she'd agreed with him, he was only doing what was best for Hannah. Dixie walked through the house and found Hannah straightening items in Lawrence's bedroom, she'd put fresh flowers in there and changed all of the bedding. Dixie just watched Hannah as she went about putting the quilt back on the bed and straightening the pillows, she liked watching Hannah when she wasn't aware of it sometimes. It was during those times that she was reminded what a special woman she had in her life.
Hannah stood back and looked around the room that she had spent a long time sorting out and putting in order for when her dad was brought home. She wanted him to come home to a clean bedroom and house and she had been working hard to make sure that everything was in order. Hannah was thinking about if she could do anything else when she felt a pair of arms move around her waist and the gentle weight of someone's head on her shoulder. 'Dixie?'
'Who else would it be?'
'No one, I know that it is you.'
'How?'
'I just do, there's no one quite like you Dixie.'
'I really like the domesticated side of you Miss Darbyshire.'
'Do you?'
'Yeah, if this was in our house then I'd be quite tempted to mess up the bed you've just made.'
'You're very naughty Dixie.'
'I meant by jumping on it.'
'Sure you did.' Hannah laughed and put her hands on top of Dixie's.
'I did, I can be naughty if you like.' Hannah closed her eyes as Dixie kissed her neck.
'I wish I could let you but my dad is coming back soon.'
'I know, it is good that he is out of hospital.'
'He still has a long way to go though, it will be weeks before he can work again.'
'He does, he has been very lucky and is now on the mend.'
'I know.'
'Hannah are you worried about something?'
'I don't know, maybe.' Hannah closed the door to her dad's bedroom and went into the one that she was currently sharing with Dixie.
Dixie was worried about Hannah, she had gone from happy and playful to preoccupied and worried in the space of a few moments. Dixie followed Hannah into their room and hugged her tightly, she needed Hannah to know that she was there for her and supporting her. 'My beautiful Hannah, tell me what's wrong.'
'I don't know, my dad still has quite a bit of recovery time to go, what if something happens to him during that time? What if something goes wrong?'
'It's not going to go wrong, he's over the worst of it now.' Dixie gently tucked a strand of hair behind Hannah's ear and then kissed her. 'Listen to me Hannah, your dad is coming out of hospital today and they wouldn't let him go if he wasn't well enough to leave.'
'I know, I'm just being silly I suppose.'
'You're not being silly, come here beautiful.' Dixie put her arms around Hannah and stroked her hair, she just wanted to bring comfort to the woman she loved. 'I love you Dixie.'
'I love you too Hannah.' Dixie just looked at Hannah as she held her, there were times that she couldn't believe that Hannah was hers. It had begun to feel more real to her lately, ever since they had got engaged it was as if she felt more connected to Hannah.
Hannah just held onto Dixie, she wasn't sure where her sudden worrying had come from but she was glad that Dixie was there to help her through it. She heard the sound of a vehicle pulling up near the house and she looked up. 'I think that my dad is back.'
'Come on Hannah, let's go and see.' Hannah nodded and she held onto Dixie's hand as they walked down the stairs and out of the house. The ambulance had stopped as close as it could to the house so Hannah and Dixie went down to meet them. David was supervising two patient transport paramedics in helping her dad out of the ambulance and into the house, she waited until they had gone past and she turned to David. 'Thanks for bringing my dad home.'
'It's no problem, I know how much he means to you.'
'He does, he's my dad and I love him.'
'He loves you too, you're all he talks about, he's so proud of you.'
'I am glad that I make him proud.'
'You do, all he's been talking about on the way back is the fact that you're engaged.'
'I think he's happy about it.'
'You bet he's happy.' Hannah smiled. 'I can see that you're happy too.'
'I am, very much.'
'Good, congratulations Hannah. If you ever want a slower pace of life when you settle down then you know where to find me.'
'I know, thank you.' Hannah hugged David, he was a sweet man and he had done so much for her over the years she had worked for him.
'I have to go back to work but I'll see you soon.'
'Count on it. Tell the girls and Erin I said hello.'
'I will do.' Hannah waved at David when they drove off and then she went into the house.
The first thing that Hannah saw when she stepped inside was Dixie fussing over her dad, she was giving him his painkillers and giving him a cup of tea. It made Hannah smile to see Dixie looking after her dad and making sure that all his needs were taken care of. Watching her like this reminded Hannah of the reason that she had fallen for Dixie in the first place. It was her kind, compassionate nature that made Hannah love her, Dixie had a very big heart and it showed whenever she looked after anyone. To the people that didn't really know her, Dixie was loud, brash and very common but Hannah had never met anyone that she loved more. There was nobody else that Hannah wanted or needed in her life. Hannah felt a sense of completeness when she looked at the ring that Dixie had given her, she didn't need or want anyone else. Dixie was perfect and always would be in Hannah's eyes. She was getting used to having Dixie's ring on her finger, the weight of it was comforting and a reminder of the woman that she loved and the bond that they shared.
Lawrence rested on the sofa, Hannah had brought him a pillow to rest against and a blanket in case he felt cold. He watched Hannah and Dixie as they moved around the house, they were clearly used to spending a lot of time together and seeing them together made him smile. He shifted position to make himself more comfortable and winced as he felt the pain his stomach again. Lawrence was determined that Hannah wouldn't see his injuries; he'd asked for the district nurses to come in and look after him while he recovered as it would make Hannah upset to see the stitches that he'd had put in to close his wounds. He didn't want Hannah feeling worse than she already did about this whole thing. Lawrence made some room for Hannah to sit down and he smiled, she had a look of fulfilment about her but it was tinged with worry and he knew that the worrying part was about him. 'Hannah, stop worrying about me.'
'How did you know?'
'Your eyes, you narrow them when you're worrying.'
'Are you in pain?'
'A little bit but the painkillers are helping with that.'
'Good. Have the police been in touch?'
'Not since I gave my statement to them, I would imagine that they have a lot of work to do.'
'I suppose they do.'
'It will take a while, attempted murder is a serious charge.'
'I know.'
'She's not getting away with it, they have too much evidence.'
'Will you be all right with the nurses looking after you?'
'Yes, I will, they know what they're doing and will look after me well.'
'I hope so or they will answer to me.' Lawrence smiled at Hannah, she had picked up some of Dixie more forthright ways and he loved it.
Dixie had gone upstairs to give Hannah and her dad some time alone, she picked up her phone and dialled Jeff's number, she wanted to hear his voice, she was missing home and everyone there. 'Hello.'
'Jeff.'
'Hi princess.'
'It is good to hear your voice.'
'Is anything wrong?'
'I'm just a bit homesick I suppose.'
'Are you missing me princess?'
'A little bit. How is Polly and Little Abs.'
'They're both fine Dix.'
'Good.'
'I miss you all.'
'You'll be home soon Dixie.'
'I know.'
'I tell you what, when you make it back come round and see us and we'll have a meal to celebrate the big engagement.'
'I'd like that.'
'Maybe you and Hannah could stay over too and we can all go into work together.'
'Sounds good to me Jeff.'
'Thanks princess. How is everything?'
'Lawrence is home and resting, he is going to need a few weeks to recover properly but at least he's alive and definitely on the road to recovery.'
'Good, I am glad to hear it.'
'I'd better go Jeff, I believe that my bed is calling me.'
'Goodnight princess.'
'Give our love to Polly and hug Little Abs for me.'
'I will.'
'Night Jeff.' Dixie put the phone down, she felt so much better now that she'd heard Jeff's voice.
Hannah slowly followed her dad upstairs, the nurses had popped in and introduced themselves and she was satisfied that they would take good care of her dad. They looked capable and had answered her questions fully. Hannah kept a close eye on Lawrence as he walked up the stairs, he turned at the top and hugged her. 'Night Hannah.'
'Goodnight dad, you will call if you need anything.'
'Of course I will, all I need right now is to sleep in my own bed.'
'I understand.' Hannah hugged her dad again and went into her own room, Dixie was already sat up in bed but she looked as if she was falling asleep. Hannah quickly changed her clothes for nightwear and she got into the bed. 'Someone is a sleepy Dixie if I'm not mistaken.'
'Maybe a little bit.' Dixie yawned and rested her head on the pillow. 'Come here Hannah, turn the light out and give me sleepy snuggles.'
'Sounds good to me.' Hannah snuggled up to Dixie and then kissed her gently a few times. Hannah didn't realise how tired she was until she was lying Dixie's arms. 'Goodnight beautiful.' Hannah could hear the sleepiness in Dixie's voice and it made her smile.
'Goodnight sleepy Dixie.' Hannah closed her eyes and settled down to sleep, being in Dixie's arms always made it easy for her to sleep, she was safe, loved and cared for and her dad was at home and not in the hospital. Hannah cuddled closer to Dixie, soon they would have to go home but they had one more day here and she would make the most of it and spend time with Dixie and her dad.