Someone asked for Lucas and Elizabeth cooking and after a bit of back and forth I realized that the perfect moment was staring me in the face. Shoutout to the set designers for the inspiration on Lucas' office and the saloon this last week! Anyone else obsessed with that room?

If there's a Lucas/Elizabeth moment or scene or idea you'd like to see, let me know! I want to keep this set of shorts going as we round out the season! I have a few still to post (including a couple that are...let's say steamy...but within reason, don't worry) and plenty in the works, but inspiration is always helpful! I DO have a plot in mind for an alternate story depending on how the season plays out, but I want to save that until we actually see what happens. Keep the faith, and remember #SeasonNineWouldBeDivine!

A note: I don't explicitly state where they are in their relationship in this one, so you can imagine it where you will, but in my head they're courting still here and Lucas is simply walking her home. =)

Enjoy!

"I can't believe we finally shelved the last book" Elizabeth said, a bit breathless as she pulled the door to the library shut. They'd spent the last few weeks giving the library a fresh coat of paint, which meant reorganizing all the books once everything was finished, and finally they had found a new home for the last novel - a copy of her own book - on the newly painted shelves.

Lucas hummed lightly, taking her hand in his as they moved away from the library. "Next time you ask me if we should repaint the library, remind me to say no" he joked.

Elizabeth smirked at him, but didn't say anything else as she tucked herself in closer, trying to steal some of his warmth. It was late, so most of Hope Valley's residents were already safely tucked in their beds. The night air was cool, filled with the crisp scent of fall and the promise of snow that likely wasn't far off.

They walked like that for a while, pressed tightly together, her head resting lightly against his shoulder as they strolled through the quiet town. Lucas always found this to be the most beautiful time in Hope Valley, when all the hustle and bustle of the street was gone, replaced with stillness and peace. Neither said anything for a while as they slowly made their way in the direction of the row houses. They didn't have to rush, as Rosemary and Lee had been more than happy to have Little Jack stay with them as the couple finished up work at the library, and truly Elizabeth couldn't imagine a more perfect moment.

But then Lucas stopped.

"Are you hungry?" he asked suddenly.

Elizabeth lifted her head, opening her mouth to say something but then stopping herself. Slowly, the edge of her mouth turned up in a sly smile, "a little?" She could see the mischief on his face, an expression that, when she first met him, she'd dreaded, but had now come to love. He tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her in the direction of the saloon, Elizabeth giggling as they went. "Lucas, what are you doing?"

"Just come with me" he insisted, and soon they found themselves making their way through the dark saloon, Lucas leading her toward the kitchen in the back. When they reached his office he stopped, opening the door and turning on one of the lamps before moving to take Elizabeth's coat, which he neatly hung on the rack near the door. Once he'd taken off his own coat, he moved to take her hand again, bringing her to the kitchen.

For all the times she'd been in Lucas' office, she'd never seen the kitchen itself, always shooed out by Gustave before she could get a good look. She stopped in the doorway as Lucas let go of her hand so he could turn on some of the lights. It was a rather large room, perfectly organized just the way she knew it would be. A selection of pots and pans and utensils were scattered across the walls and counters, and a large stove sat at one end. The only window in the room, facing out the backside of the saloon, was accompanied by a large sink just below it.

Pulled out of her thoughts by the clang of a pan, she glanced over to find Lucas sporting a guilty look, the pan in question firmly in his hand. "I hope Gustave didn't hear that" she kidded, moving to stand next to him. "What in the world are you making?"

"Croque Monsieur" he responded happily, his French accent coming to the forefront. "Have you ever had it?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "I assume it's French?" she inquired, head tilting slightly to one side.

"Oui" Lucas responded, a wide smile on his face. "It was extremely popular in Paris the last time I was there and somewhere along the line I learned how to make it." She watched as he moved about the kitchen, washing his hands before gathering a loaf of bread, some cheese, and some thinly sliced ham. "It's actually not that hard, but it is delicious."

"I think I'll be the judge of that," she pointed out.

Lucas turned on the stove, pulling out another small pot to set on top before locating some butter to put in it. As he added various other ingredients, she couldn't help but be surprised at how comfortable he looked in the kitchen. He'd taken his suit jacket off when they came in but kept his vest, although he'd rolled his sleeves to his elbows, and suddenly, despite the fact that they were in a first class kitchen run by one of the most particular chefs she'd ever known, it all felt rather domestic.

"Do you cook often?" Elizabeth asked eventually, leaning against the counter next to the stove as he whisked some flour into the mixture.

Lucas laughed lightly, "not really. I have to sneak into this kitchen if I want to, and growing up we traveled so frequently that home cooked meals were rather hard to come by. I learned a few things while I was in Paris, but I'm afraid my skills are rather minimal."

"You should have seen me when I first came to Hope Valley." A laugh escaped her as memories of burnt meals flooded her mind. "I'd never cooked for myself in my life."

"I find it hard to believe that you were ever a terrible cook with the meals you've made for me."

"Believe it or not, it happened. Just be thankful that I know how to make biscuits without burning them now" she returned playfully, well aware that the man next to her had an affinity for the particular baked good.

"I am thankful to have you, biscuits or not" Lucas responded, leaning over to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Elizabeth asked after she'd regained her composure.

Lucas nodded, "actually, if you wouldn't mind slicing that bread, I'm almost finished here and then we can assemble everything."

She nodded, washing her own hands before moving back to the cutting board to slice off two pieces of bread. Lucas pulled the pot off the stove a moment later, coming to stand next to her. Elizabeth watched as he layered the bread with the sauce he'd made, adding the ham and additional cheese on top of the second slice before placing the sandwich on a pan and sliding it in the oven.

"And now we wait," Lucas stated once the door to the oven was closed.

"How long?"

Elizabeth was barely able to catch the smirk on his face before she was whisked away toward his office, the two of them laughing all the way. When they arrived, Lucas was quick to pull a record and set it to play, the soft music humming throughout the small room.

"Just long enough" he started, taking her hands once more and pulling her close, "for us to share a dance."

She laughed at his antics, settling into his embrace as she looked up to meet his gaze. Lucas' eyes were bright, dimples peeking out on either side of his face. This was the Lucas that only she got to see. Everyone else was only used to the serious, chivalrous man clad in his three piece suits, and she couldn't be prouder to walk beside him every day. But when they were alone, she was lucky enough to see his spontaneous, lighthearted, and gentle personality, always encouraging and surprising her.

They swayed back and forth, barely moving to the music as Elizabeth settled her head against his chest, releasing a deep breath as she did so. She could feel the slight pressure of his head as it rested against hers, his breath a soft breeze against her hair. Earlier she'd felt sure that there couldn't be a more perfect moment than their evening stroll, but here, as she relished in the feeling of safety she felt in Lucas' arms, she realized that it didn't matter where they were or what they were doing. Every moment with this man was perfect.

When she pulled back, Lucas looked uncertain, confused by her sudden movement.

"I love you" she said simply.

His expression softened. "I love you too" he returned before leaning down to press his lips to hers. It wasn't rushed or urgent, not forceful or needy. Just light and lingering, filled with the promise that they had all the time in the world to enjoy this moment.

Or, at least, until the record stopped, reminding them both that their late night meal was still awaiting them. Reluctantly, they pulled apart, although Elizabeth kept his hand grasped firmly in her own as they made their way back to the kitchen.

Reaching the oven, Lucas opened the door, pulling out the sandwich, perfectly browned on the top with cheese melting out the sides.

"Lucas, that smells amazing."

He grinned, pride written on his face as he cut the sandwich in half. Carefully, he picked up a piece and offered it to Elizabeth, which she gladly accepted. He took his own and together they bit into their snack, careful to not burn their mouths in the process.

Lucas chuckled at the look of satisfaction written on Elizabeth's face. "Does it taste amazing?" he inquired despite the fact that he was certain he already knew the answer.

Elizabeth nodded eagerly, humming a yes with a mouth full of sandwich, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

When they'd finished, Elizabeth insisted on cleaning the dishes, Lucas drying them before neatly placing each one back where he'd found it. With everything cleaned, they headed back to his office to collect their coats, Lucas helping Elizabeth into hers before they turned out the last of the lights and continued on their journey.

And if Gustave found a few crumbs in his kitchen the next morning, he never said anything about it.