Everything had been arranged and her next task for Ric was set.  It took some convincing on her part to get everything ready, but in the end it all had worked out.  All she needed now was Ric.  She glanced anxiously at her watch.  He had under a minute to meet her 45 minute deadline and she was starting to get worried.  How long did it take to get to his suite and change?  What if he had changed his mind and didn't think she was worth these tasks she was putting him through?  Maybe it was too much, maybe she should have just told him that she forgived him and loved him instead of drawing it out in order to have some fun with him first.  She was about to pick up the phone and cancel her plans for him when she saw him make his way closer to her.  She let out a sigh of relief and smiled at him as she went over to meet him.

"Was just about to give up waiting for you."  She looked down at her watch.  "You made it just in time, ten seconds to spare."  

"Yeah, sorry I took so long.  Had to take a shower and ya know..." His voice trailed off and he tried to keep himself from blushing.  She didn't need to know that the shower was a cold one due to the looks and comments she had given him while in the costume.  "So...anyway what do you have planned for me now?"

"Well we need to go to the park."

"This doesn't end up with me dressing up in any more silly outfits, right?"

"Nope, no costumes I promise.  We'll save those for afterwards."  She heard the low growl he made from that comment.  "Down boy, there will be time for that if you are a good little boy and pass this test."

"I've dressed up as Tarzan for you, I think it's safe to say I'd do anything for you." They started walking to the park and Ric had to fight the urge to hold her dangling hand.  

"Ric?"

"Hmm?"

"Why are you doing this?  Going along with my plans?"

"Isn't it obvious?  I love you and if dressing up as Tarzan and doing whatever it is you have planned for me is the only way I can prove it then I'll do it."  He gave into himself and took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips to give her knuckles a gentle kiss.  Elizabeth blinked a few times and then gave Ric a sweet smile.  Then remembering her plan she retracted her hand and pushed a stray piece of hair nervously behind her ear.  

As they reached the park, she led him to an empty park bench and motioned for him to sit next to her.  He sat slowly as he didn't know what to expect next.   Elizabeth looked out at the playground as if searching for someone and Ric looked curiously at her.  After a moment she seemed to find what she was looking for and her sly smile that Ric had come to dread and love lately returned.  

"I guess you are wondering why I brought you here huh?"

"The thought crossed my mind."  

"Emily, over here"  She called and waved the younger girl over to her.  Ric looked at Elizabeth's friend who was pushing a baby carriage and was followed by an adoarable little girl no more than 4 years old.  Ric  glared at Elizabeth, still unsure of what she was planning.

"Hey, Elizabeth, Ric."  Emily greeted as she sat on the other end of the bench next to Elizabeth.  "So, you ready to go shopping?"  She smiled at her friend.  

"Yup!"

"I still don't understand?  What does you two going shopping have to do with my proving to you that you can trust me and that I love you?"

"Well, Ric, Emily here was supposed to watch Baby Kristina and little Christina here and well I told her that you would do it so we could go out."

"Thanks, Ric, you are a lifesiver."  Emily cast and amused smile at the shocked man.  

"Come on, you love kids right?  You'll do fine.  If you need me you have my cell number.  Have fun."  She gave him a small wave before leading Emily away from the area.

Ric glanced at the two kids just left in his charge.  He chuckled nervously as Christina looked up at him expectently.

"So...what do you do for fun?"  He asked the 4 year old.

***********

"So what is up with you, Elizabeth?  Why did you want me to offer to babysit Christina and Kristina?  Lucy was a little skeptical of my intentions, but she did have stuff to do so took my offer up."

"I'm trying to see if Ric is the guy for me, especially  after I found out about how he lied to me and did all those horrible things to Carly and Sonny.  Seeing how a guy is around children gives some insight on how he's going to be with his own children.  And if he thinks we are shopping he'll be himself around them."

"I hope this works, I want you to be happy."

"I love him so much, Em, I really want this to work out.  I think he might be the one and this is the way to prove it to myself."

"So where are we gonna spy on him from."  The girls giggled wildly.  

******

Elizabeth and Emily watched from behind some bushes close to where Ric was seated on the bench in the same posistion they had left him in.

Ric and Christina just stared at each other for a long while until the little brunette climbed up on the bench next to Ric and smiled the way only a little girl can.  She was so blissfully innocent.

"What's your name?" she asked in a small voice.

"My name is Ric.  What's yours?"

"Christina."

"Well that's a very pretty name for a very pretty girl."  She beamed up at him.  If their was one thing Ric was good at it was charming the ladies.

"Her name is Kristina too, only it's spelt different."

"Wow two pretty girls with the same beautiful name?  How lucky am I to get to spend the day with both of you!"

"You wanna play a game?"

"Sure.  What do you wanna play?"

"We could play house!"  She exclaimed.

"How do you play that?"  He feigned ignorance.

"Well I'll be the mommy, you can be the daddy and baby Kristina can be the baby, of course."

"Of course."  

Elizabeth watched the exchange between Ric and the 4 year old in awe and wonder.  If the way he acted around the children was any indication, he would make a wonderful father.  He had definatly passed this test and there was only one thing left on her day of Ric torment, although this task didn't seem too much like torment for him.  

"How long do you want to leave them with him?"  Emily looked over at her friend.

"Let's wait awhile.  He's so good with them."

"Yeah, he is."

"Besides, you have to help me with my last plan."

"Elizabeth, what do you have planned in that sick twisted head of yours?"

"Oh this one is good and if he survives, well then I know he's mine forever."  Elizabeth turned one last time to watch Ric with the girls.  He was tickeling Christina mercilessly.  When he finally let her up she was laughing so hard she was breathless.  He picked up the baby and cradled her gently to him as he fed her a bottle.   Then let Christina hold the bottle for baby Kristina.  Elizabeth was falling in love all over again for the man in front of her.


***************