Is it just me or has this week felt like an eternity?

Already in S9 we've got some missing scenes, and I feel like that's going to be my main theme for the majority of Season 9: bringing those "little moments" we didn't see on screen to life. This one basically takes place during the opening credits of 9x01, and picks up where we left Lucas, Jack and Elizabeth on the street watching the balloon float into Hope Valley.

Who knows what will await us in Episode 2, but for now, I hope this will hold you over in these last few hours while we wait!

As they walked with Little Jack between them, Lucas and Elizabeth could do nothing but smile.

The weeks after they'd reaffirmed their courtship had gone by much too quickly. Filled with rendezvous at the library, dinners at her rowhouse with Little Jack alongside them, and quiet afternoon walks, their time as a couple had only made their parting more difficult.

Her trip to Hamilton had been a necessity due to her sister's rare visit from London. Most of the family hadn't met Jack, and with business to attend to in Hope Valley, Lucas had to stay behind. The weeks that followed her departure felt like an eternity, and instead of walks and dinners, they'd settled for letters and the occasional phone call. But it wasn't enough. It was never enough, and perhaps that's why he insisted on walking them home.

"So then someone called out 'fire!' in the middle of Hickam's campaign speech," Lucas chuckled as they walked. They'd spent the majority of their leisurely stroll catching one another up on the happenings of Hope Valley or Hamilton, and the campaign for mayor had taken up a good part of the discussion.

She laughed, and he felt the warm sound wash over him. "I'm sure Mike loved that."

"He handled it rather well actually, although several members of the fire brigade jumped into action despite the fact that there wasn't a fire to be found."

Reaching the house, Elizabeth was quick to open the door, her son rushing through to find his favorite toys that had remained behind in Hope Valley. "I almost had to have you send Duck," she explained as they stepped in after him. "Jack was distraught, but Julie quickly distracted him with a wealth of new toys." As she spoke, Elizabeth rolled her eyes lightly, and Lucas' memory flashed back to the vibrant personality of the only other Thatcher he'd officially met.

"Duck!" Jack offered helpfully, showing the adults the yellow stuffed duck that Lee had given him years ago.

Crouching down, Lucas was quick to respond to the boy, "I'm sure he's very glad you're home. He missed you while you were away, you know."

Elizabeth smiled warmly at the scene in front of her. As excited as she'd been to return home, she knew Jack had been too, especially to see his new favorite person.

"Did you miss me, Buddy?" Jack asked then, a question directly pointed at Lucas.

Her suitor smiled, "More than you can imagine, Buddy."

"That's a lot. I missed you too." And then Jack was in Lucas' arms, hugging him tightly around the neck in an embrace that made Elizabeth's heart melt. Lucas looked up at her, eyes bright, as he held the boy tighter. "Now," he continued, picking up her son with a dramatic flair, "I think it's someone's nap time."

"No nap!" Jack exclaimed, although a small yawn was quick to escape from his mouth. "I'm not tired."

"I can see that, but you still had a very big day, so let's just give it a try, alright?"

Elizabeth watched as Lucas took her son up the stairs toward his room, trying to etch the sight into her memory. He looked back at her briefly to wink at her before he took the first step up.

While he was gone, Elizabeth busied herself by taking in her surroundings. It felt good to be home, back in her own space. Life in Hamilton had been a nice reprieve from the constant strain of raising a toddler and being a full time school teacher, but she'd missed Hope Valley.

Almost everything was how she'd left it, but it was apparent that someone had stopped by to clean. There were fresh flowers on the table, obviously a gift from Rosemary for their homecoming based on the vase that held them. Their early arrival had been a secret to everyone, but somehow her best friend had known, and she leaned over to smell them.

"I'm not sure how long he'll stay down," Lucas commented as he descended the stairs.

"Well he had enough taffy to feed a small army on the trip," Elizabeth laughed, and he joined in immediately, stepping toward her. It was almost as though there was a current that pulled them closer whenever they were together, and after weeks apart the intensity was only stronger.

They said nothing as he wrapped her in his arms, leaning down to kiss her like a man starved. Earlier, when they stood on the platform where all of Hope Valley could see them, their kiss had been gentle and calm, but now, behind closed doors, it was filled with fervor. It felt like they were pouring every emotion they had experienced in the last four weeks into one kiss. Her hand traveled upward, mussing his hair, and she held her lips firmly to his. He kissed her back with equal force, arms wrapping tighter around her as his hands wandered up and down her back.

"I should go," he stated sadly when they finally broke apart. They were both breathing heavily, eyes still closed as they remained close, noses nuzzling against one another.

"Do you have to?" Elizabeth pleaded, slightly surprised by the desire she could hear in her own voice.

He pulled back to study her for a moment, taking in the lines of her face that he'd seen time and time again in his dreams while she'd been gone. In her bright blue eyes he could only see longing, and without further hesitation, he dove back toward her, capturing her lips in another passionate kiss.

Mr. Smith could wait, he decided. After all, they'd spent four long weeks waiting for this moment, and he wanted to savor every last second of it.