AN: Ok I've decided to continue with the story.  I will now go explain the first chapter and sorry for not doing so earlier.  Duncan was married before meeting Tessa but his wife died when Gracie was three so he still wants to help Richie to become immortal.  Let me know if this doesn't work.

            Chapter two: Richie the Babysitter

            Duncan had spent the morning with Gracie since Richie was taking care of the store.  Tonight was the big night for Tessa to show off her latest works and Richie was kind enough to watch Gracie.   This was the first time that Richie was going to be in charge of Gracie without them around to make sure that she didn't tear him apart.  They weren't planning on being out long though and he could always call if something happened.  For the most part though Gracie would be in bed sleeping so it should be an easy night for Richie and Duncan hoped that he could wear out Gracie before they left.  

            "Hey Mac how was the park?"

            "I don't know who's more tired her or me."

            "Daddy lets go play a game."

            "Why don't you go set it up I'll be there in a few minutes. "

            "She's not tired you are and Tessa is going to kill you."

            "I'll be fine I'll take a nap here in few minutes.  I just need to get her to slow down a little.  I'm hoping that I could change her mind and just take a nap."

            "Good luck and thanks for trying to make this easier for me."

            "No problem Richie I'm having fun."

            "Good I think she's waiting."

            Duncan walked to Gracie's room and saw that she was sitting on her bed.   By the look of it she was getting ready to crash and he was very thankful for it.

            "Gracie what's wrong?"

            "I don't want to play a game."

            "Alright then how about we just take a rest and sleep?"

            "I'm not tired."

            "Well I am and I'm going to lie down and sleep," he said lying down on her bed.  Gracie climbed next to him

            "Why do you have to leave tonight?"

            "Mommy is having a lot of important people come to look at her work."

            "Why can't I go?"

            "It's only for the grown ups.   You have to be good for Richie though ok?  He's doing a very good thing by staying home with you."

            "I'll be good."

            "Good now why don't we take a nap."

            Duncan fell asleep and so did Gracie for about two hours.  When Duncan woke up he saw the time and he had to go get ready to go.  Tessa would be home soon and he had made reservations at their favorite restaurant.  Richie was closing up shop when he walked in the room.  Richie had given up a night of going out with his friends and that was very unusual, but very kind.  Mac wanted him to know how much they appreciated his help with Gracie.  Richie had never been a real emotional guy, but in the last few weeks they saw a change in him that might say otherwise.

            "Hey, Richie, are you hungry?"

            "Yeah I'm starving."

            "I'll make you something before we go.  Richie we really appreciate this a lot and we know that normally you would do it."

            "Mac, come on I love Gracie and you guys shouldn't have to ask me to baby-sit for you.  Besides I wasn't really going to do anything tonight anyways."

            "Angie, angry at you?"

            "No more like her parents."

            "Ahh."

            "So are there going to be a lot of high society people there?"

            "Yes there are.  This is one of the more important nights for Tess.  They might choose her works to be in a national show."

            "Wow that's cool.  I must confess that I didn't really think that you were the kind of art guy."

            "Exactly what did you see me as?"

            "I'm not sure some sort of guy who just has people working for him."

            "Oh kind of like I do now?"

            "Funny."

            "Sorry, well I am guessing that Gracie should be out most of the night since she was tired."

            "Ok."

            "Hello?  I'm home Duncan, Rich, and Gracie?"

            "We are in the kitchen Tess."

            "Hmm I thought we were going out?"

            "We are it's for Richie?"

            "Oh I see.  So where is Gracie?"

            "She's sleeping. "

            "Duncan you made her tired?"

            "Well I would say that he made anyone tired.  He was pretty tired too Tessa."

            "I see.  Richie thanks so much for doing this I know that you probably had plans."

            "It's not a problem Tessa I'm glad to help."

            "I'm going to get changed and check on Gracie.  Duncan you pick your Tux up?"

            "Yeah I have my tux.  You can't tell you are nervous at all."

            Tessa just left the room and went to see Gracie who was sleeping.  When she heard her mom though she woke up and jumped not her arms

            "Hello Petite."

            "Mommy your home."

            "How was your day with Daddy?"

            "Good we went to the park and a movie."

            "He spoils you.  I have to get ready to go you remember that you are to be very good for Richie tonight."

            "Yes."

            "Good I love you."

            "I love you mommy."

            "Tessa, we are going to be late."

            "I'm going I had to make sure that I got the full story of what you did today."

            "Daddy you look special."

            "Thanks."

            While Tessa was getting ready she went over with Duncan all of the things that they needed to tell Richie before they left.  He knew that this was going to be hard to leave Gracie with Richie.   They both knew what a handful she could be and they also knew that there was a big difference between her in the day and her at night. 

            "You're worried aren't you?"

            "How can I not be?  She's like her father and I can't believe that you did that to her today."

            "Tessa I did it because I wanted to and I love her."

            "Duncan you spoiled her to death."

            "That's my job."

            "You know I forgot how handsome you look in a suite."

            "Here let me help you."

            "Come on we should go the reservation is at seven."

            Before they left Tessa ran over all the emergency phone numbers and told him that they would probably call before they left.   Duncan literally had to drag her out to the car.  Richie just laughed as he shut the door behind them.  Now it was time for the real fun to begin. 

            "Richie I'm hungry."

            "Hey there squirt.  I ordered a pizza."

            "Dad says…"

            "Well if you don't tell I won't."

            "Yea!  Is Angie coming over?"

            "Yea, but we need to talk about some things so I'm going to need you to be quite and go watch TV or go back to your room."

            "I thought that you were babysitting?"

            "I am, but this is really important and I promise that as soon as we are done then we'll watch a movie or something."

            "You promise?"

            "I promise."

            Angie came at around seven and they sat and talked forever.  Richie had completely forgotten about Gracie until Angie said that he should go check on her.  They went to her room to find her asleep with the pizza on the floor which Richie just barely managed to miss stepping in.   They went back out and watched a movie falling asleep.  It was around nine when they heard a crash from Gracie's room.  Richie sat up with a jolt and looked over at Angie who took off running towards the bedroom.   When they tried to open the door they found it was jammed shut.   

            "Gracie, open the door!  Come on Gracie this isn't funny sweetheart.  Gracie Marie, open this door right now!"

            "Richie there is someone in there.  Gracie!"

            They listened and soon heard nothing.  Richie kicked open the door to find the room ransacked and empty.  Richie started to panic, but Angie grabbed him and told him to call Tess and Mac.  Angie took the other phone and called the police.  Twenty minutes later Tessa and Duncan pulled up seeing the cops around ran inside.  Tessa was screaming for Gracie and Richie did his best to explain what had happened. 

            "Gracie! Where is she?  Duncan!  Oh God someone stole our baby!"

            "Richie what happened?"

            "We were watching a movie and we heard something from her bedroom.  We went and found the door jammed and when we got in she was gone."

            "This isn't your fault."

            They talked to the police and finally Duncan had Angie go home.  Richie was sitting on the couch after being questioned by the police.  Tessa was sitting on Gracie's bed.  There was no lead as to where or who had Gracie.   All they could do was wait for some sort sign.

            "Tess?"

            "Duncan…" she said hugging him

            "I knew I shouldn't have left."

            "You didn't know."

            "Gracie…"

            "We'll find her Tessa.  I swear we'll find her why don't you go lay down I need to go talk to Richie."

            Richie was running the whole night over and over in his head trying to figure out what he did wrong.  This wouldn't have happened is he was doing his job. 

            "Rich, how are you doing?"

            "I'm surprised that you still want to talk to me."

            "Why wouldn't I Richie?"

            "I screwed up Mac.  If I hadn't of called Angie tonight none of this would have happened."

            "Richie, no don't say that.  From what you've said there is not much you could have done."

            "Mac, how are we going to find her?  The cops have nothing we have nothing.  She could be half way to Mexico or something worse."

            "Stop it Richie.  We are in this together and we are going to get her back.  Why don't you go to sleep?  I'm sure we'll all feel better in the morning."

            Richie went off to his room, but not before stopping to talk to Tessa.  He knew what she must think of him after what happened.  If he was in her shoe's he'd of thrown him out.  Tessa was holding one of Gracie's dolls and when he walked over and sat down she turned away. 

            "Tess… I am really sorry about this.  I want you to know that."

            Tessa didn't say a word, but instead she got up and went into the bathroom shutting the door.  When Richie walked out though he could hear her crying for Gracie and it broke his heart.  Nothing was going to be the same between them and there wasn't anything that he could do.   Duncan walked in a few minutes later and placed his hand on his shoulder as he passed.  He knew that Richie was going to be taking this hard and he knew that Tessa was too.  Hopefully things would look brighter in the morning for all of them.