Here's the next chapter of Smithfield of Dreams.
Thanks for the reviews.

I own Holly and Lucas. Carmi belongs to Kennedy's Friday Night Delight.

The chapter is a little short, but it leads up to the next chapter, which should be fun.

"Mike." Holly crept down the stairs.

"Mm." He replied from his temporary bed.

"Mike, your son is crying for his feed." Holly nudged the mound on Carmi's couch.

"Maybe I could go…" Carmi suggested.

"Don't you dare make this easy for him!" Holly replied quickly.

"Relax, I'm going." Mike mumbled as he threw off the covers and headed up to Lucas' crib.

Carmi sighed and ran a hand through her multicoloured hair. She felt like she was serving a punishment as well as Mike. As much as she wanted to see to baby Lucas, she couldn't. John had already anticipated that this would be hard for her. They were yet to have their 'baby talk' and now would be a good time to broach the subject. He seized his chance when Holly announced that she was going to have a shower.

"Come over here." John patted the seat beside him.

"What's up?" Carmi asked him as she snuggled into his side.

"I was thinking about this whole baby thing…" John sighed.

"Is this going to turn into an argument?" Carmi sighed.

"I hope not. But we can't ignore the issue." John frowned a little.

"You're right. I'll go first." Carmi nodded.

"Ok, sure." John nodded.

"Ever since I was younger, I have always wanted a family of my own. I love kids and I know that they're in my future, especially after Matthew." Carmi explained.

"I understand. It just freaked me out when you got so attached to Lucas. It felt like things were moving too fast." John replied.

"Too fast? But we've been together longer than Holly and Mike have." Carmi frowned.

"But Lucas wasn't planned or anything." John added.

"So, how long?" Carmi folded her arms impatiently.

"I think we should spend some time alone before a baby comes along. Let's face it, even if Holly and Mike weren't here, there'd still be Shane or Matt hanging around." John reasoned with her.

"So…you do actually want to have kids?" Carmi frowned a little confusedly.

"Yes I do. And I'd love for you to be their mother. But I'm in no rush." John smiled.

"That's the best news I've heard all day!" Carmi grinned and jumped onto John's lap.

"It's only nine am." John frowned and shook his head.

"Shut up." Carmi said, placing a finger on his lips.

John pulled away her hand and moved in for a kiss.

"Is that better now?" Mike asked Lucas as he finished dressing the baby in some clean clothes.

Lucas gurgled happily and kicked his legs. Mike sat down on the end of the bed and clutched his son close to his bare chest. The baby had a definite look of his father, whether it was the expressive blue eyes or the cheeky smile. The Ohio native kissed the top of his son's head and lay back on the bed. Mike closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of the baby. It was somehow comforting. Lucas began to coo happily, signalling his mother's return to the room.

"Falling asleep on the job?" Holly raised a brow. She stood in the doorway in a towel.

"Just taking in the aura of our son." Mike replied, trying to avert his eyes.

"Mike, you've seen me in less than a towel before." Holly frowned as she went to get some clothes.

"True, but I was always allowed to get into the same bed as you later on." Mike replied.

"In that case, can you close your eyes please?" Holly smirked as she dropped her towel.

"You're a very cruel woman." Mike pouted.

"Do you care to be reminded of why you are being punished?" Holly asked him.

"I'm sorry. I have said that." The Ohio native frowned.

"And I think I'm being kind letting you actually sleep indoors." Holly replied as she dressed.

"Any idea when I'll be getting back into the bed?" Mike asked hopefully.

"Depends. You have to work. The first step was getting into the house, the second is getting back into our bed." Holly explained to him.

"What's the third?" Mike asked her.

"Getting back into my pants." Holly replied with a serious expression.

"So, I could be back in bed with you, but I can't actually go near you?" the Chick Magnet frowned.

"You're getting the idea now." Holly smirked.

"What if I 'accidentally' get carried away?" the Ohio native asked her.

"Carmi's agreed to come in and throw cold water over you." The Boston native replied.

"Lucas, do you think that mommy is being cruel to daddy?" Mike asked the baby.

"Ok, I have a proposition for you." Holly walked over and sat down next to Mike.

"I'm listening." He nodded.

"Carmi wants to take me out tomorrow. If you can look after your son and he's still in one piece when I come back, then I will let you back into the bed." Holly explained.

"Does the sex ban still stand?" Mike asked her.

"Yes." The brunette nodded, picking up the baby and heading downstairs.

Downstairs, John and Carmi were still cuddled up on the couch.

"Hey John…" Carmi said.

"Yes Sweets?" John replied.

"Tomorrow I'm taking Holly out for the day." Carmi told him.

"And?" he frowned.

"I was thinking that maybe we could spend the evening together. Have some dinner, maybe a walk and some alone time." Carmi smiled up at him.

"That sounds nice." John nodded.

"Good." The Carolina native smiled and placed a kiss on his lips.

Holly came down the stairs with baby Lucas in her arms.

"Everything ok?" Carmi asked her.

"Fine." The Boston native nodded.

"Where are you taking her tomorrow?" John asked once Holly had left the room.

"Surprise." Carmi shrugged.

What do you think?

Please Review! xxx

What does Carmi have planned?
Will Mike be able to cope on his own with the baby?
And will Mike be let back into the bed?