The weekend was over and it was time for Jack and Elizabeth to get back to life outside their little house. They had spent almost every second locked inside, alone together, soaking in every ounce of time that they could. They both will never take a single moment they have together for granted, as they are both very aware that it could end at any time.

Jack was getting dressed in his red serge and Elizabeth was getting ready to see her students again.

"Are you sure you are feeling well enough to go to work today?"

Elizabeth had gotten sick once that morning, but she'd been fine for the past hour. "Yes, I feel quite well right now."

They hadn't shared their news with anyone yet, but they were planning a dinner party so they could tell all their friends at once.

Jack kissed Elizabeth good bye and set out toward the jail. It was a crisp, cool morning in Hope Valley but Jack was still on cloud 9 from the baby news and hadn't noticed the slight drop in temperature. The sun was up and he could hear kids playing and a dog barking in a nearby field. A team of horses and wagon drove by him on their way to the saw mill. The driver, Hickam, waved at Jack and Jack tilted his hat back to him to say good morning.

"Hey there, Jack"

Jack turned around to find Pastor Frank walking toward him.

"So glad to see you back in Hope Valley safe and sound."

"Thank you, Frank. It is very good to be back."

"I heard that Elizabeth had been sick. Is she doing okay now?"

"Yes, she is much better this morning. In fact, she's headed over to the school right now. Thanks for asking."

"Good to hear, Jack. Well, we'll see you around. Have a great day." With that, Frank turned toward Abigail's and walked away.

Jack started toward the jail again and saw Cody running up to him. "Good morning, Mountie Jack."

"Good morning, Cody. How have you been?"

"Good. Is Mrs. Thornton going to be teaching today? Mom said she was sick."

"She sure will be, Cody. She is feeling much better." Jack patted Cody on the shoulder, "She's on her way there right now."

"Great! See ya, Mountie Jack" and Cody was off and running toward the school.

Jack smiled and watched Cody run to school, daydreaming of watching his own child run to school in the not too far-off future. He was bursting at the seams to share the news with everyone, but he and Elizabeth had agreed to wait until their dinner party in a couple nights.

Just as he stepped up to the door of the jail, Henry approached him.

"Good morning, Jack."

"Good morning, Henry. How are you doing?"

"I am doing well. I heard that Elizabeth was sick. Is she okay now?"

Surprised at his interest in Elizabeth, Jack replied, "Yes. She is much better today. Thank you for asking."

"That is good to hear, Jack. Very good. Well, I best be getting to work. Have a great day."

"Thanks, Henry. See you later."

Jack unlocked the jail door and stepped inside to start his day. He had just reached his desk when Katie Yost came in. "Good morning, Constable Thornton. A telegram has arrived for you."

"Thank you, Katie."

Jack sat at his desk while he read it and a smile came across his lips. Jack had gotten the news he'd been waiting for: a permanent post at Hope Valley with no out-of-town assignments. He couldn't wait to tell Elizabeth the news.

Elizabeth rang the bell at the start of school. All the children came rushing in to take their seats. After a morning of arithmetic and spelling, Elizabeth rang the bell and excused them for lunch. Her back was to the door and she didn't hear him enter. Elizabeth jumped and dropped the book she was holding when Jack whispered into her ear. "Hello, beautiful."

"Jack! You scared me half to death," she said as she spun around to face him.

Jack looked toward the front door to see if anyone was around. All the kids were outside eating their lunches so he pulled his wife in for a quick kiss.

"Jack, the kids."

"They are all outside. No one is watching." So he kissed her again.

"What are you doing here? I didn't think I'd see you again until after work."

"I received some great news this morning and couldn't wait to share it with you."

"What would that be?"

"I heard back from Cape Fullerton. Hope Valley is my permanent post for as long as I want it. And no more out of town assignments."

"Jack, that is wonderful!" She exclaimed and she jumped in his arms. "But are you sure this is what you want?"

"Elizabeth, after what you went through last week, there is no doubt in my mind that this is what needed to be done. I will never put you through that again. You are what I want. You are what I need."

Elizabeth gave him a tight hug, "Thank you, Jack. I love you."

"And I love you." Jack gave her one last quick kiss and headed back to work.

As Elizabeth was sitting on the steps of the schoolhouse eating her sandwich when Opal walked up and sat next to her. "Well, hello, Opal. Did you finish your lunch?"

"Yes, Mrs. Thornton." Opal fidgeted with her skirt. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can."

"Is Mountie Jack going to leave again? I don't like it when he's gone."

"Oh, Opal." Elizabeth placed her hand on Opal's shoulder. "No, Mountie Jack will not be leaving ever again."

A smile formed across Opal's face and she looked up into Elizabeth's eyes. "That makes me happy. I love Mountie Jack. I cried when we thought he was dead."

Elizabeth could see a tear in Opal's eye. "I cried too, Opal, and I was very sad. But Mountie Jack is back with us and he's safe and he loves you too."

Elizabeth gave Opal a hug and sent her back out to play with the other children. She sat and watched them playing, a smile on her face. Dreaming of one day watching her own children out there. A dream that only a couple days ago she thought was over, but now is alive and growing inside her. She absentmindedly placed her hand on her stomach, closed her eyes and turned her face toward the sky, soaking in the sun.

Elizabeth jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry, Mrs. Thornton. I didn't mean to scare you."

Elizabeth opened her eyes to find Emily standing beside her. "That's ok, Emily. I was daydreaming and not paying attention."

"It's time for class, Mrs. Thornton."

Elizabeth had lost track of time. She jumped up and rang the bell to call the rest of the children back into the building. "Thank you, Emily." She gave Emily a big smile and they both walked into the schoolhouse.

Once all the children were seated, Elizabeth stood in front of her desk and very excitedly said, "Okay, children, it's time for science." And the room filled with groans.