Leaving back through the mirror had proved more difficult than she'd though, and she'd nearly lost control of the portal, sealing them both between realms. Despite the scare, she was determined to continue her search for her nephew.
Life passed on, each day filled with wild adventures led by Aladdin, and each night spent searching through endless mirrors for some sort of clue to where Bae had gone, until she fell asleep, exhausted. Somewhere, sometime, wherever he was, he must pass before a mirror, and that slim chance that she might catch glimpse of something drove her search.
Rumple wasn't much help, though he did make more of an effort to be kinder towards her. From love, regret, or curiosity of how her mirror powers could serve him, she didn't know, but thankfully, she had enough control to keep him from discovering that there were other powers that he didn't know about.
They'd just gotten back to the palace from an encounter with Mirage, and she was about to head up to her mirror lined room, when Genie put a hand over her shoulder. "I know you want to look for Bae, but can I borrow you for an hour or so, Mel?"
The day's excitement had just about worn her out, but she could hardly refuse him such a simple request. She nodded, the thought of spending time with him already easing the pent up tension.
"Up for a slightly less-crowded carpet ride?"
"That sounds nice."
He called over his shoulder, "Hey, Al? Mel and I are gonna take a spin on Rug Man for a bit."
Aladdin was busy wishing Jasmine a good night. "You don't need to ask permission, Genie."
He rolled his eyes, forcing a whiny tone. "I was just letting you know where we'll be!"
Everyone but Iago laughed, and Al glanced over, a huge smile in place. "Alright, then. Don't stay out too late, and have fun."
Having gotten such a good response, Genie crossed his arms, throwing his chin up in mock indignation at the order to have fun. "Well I don't know if I'm capable of it, but I'll try to manage!"
More laughter rang out from behind them as he offered her the crook of his arm, and they stepped back outside the palace, where Carpet was waiting. He flew down to them, folding down into steps.
She stooped down. "Sure you're up for another flight?"
The colorful little rug always seemed thrilled to please. He flew up and around them in circles, the only way he could show his excitement to get going. He calmed down, and resumed boarding position, and they climbed on.
They flew in total silence for a few minutes, a deep calm rushing over her with the cool night air. "I needed this."
He gave a contented sigh as he nodded in agreement. "Me too. Even genies gotta unwind once in a while."
She smiled at his inclusion of her in the word, even though, at best, she's only been an honorary genie for part time.
"But…" she grinned at the tone of his voice. "First things first. Race ya!"
He vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving alone on carpet, who fluttered to a stop. She lay flat on her stomach, peered over the edge at the head spinning drop to the ground, a thrill trembling through her.
Genie flew in a circle, coming to a stop beside Carpet, a twinkle in his eyes. "Ready?"
She nodded, grinning. "Set."
A starting rope appeared, floating in front of them, with strange, colored lights to the side. They flashed down through to the bottom, and a ding sounded. Everything vanished as the shot through it.
If she'd been tired before, every fiber of her being was wide awake now as they shot, full speed, through the starlit air, darting and cartwheeling at a dizzying pace. Carpet seemed to know where they were going. Without warning, he flew straight up, dumping her off.
Half a second passed before Genie caught her. Laughing, she wrapped her arms around his neck, hanging on for dear life, as they collapsed, out of breath. "We're here!"
'Here' was the very heart of the desert. There was nothing, but waves of cool sand below, and breathtaking starlight about for as far as the eye could see. 'It's beautiful." She got to a sitting position, soaking it all in.
Music started playing, and a picnic supper appeared before them. "I cooked this time."
Sitting out in the sand in the moonlight, enjoying a second of peace, away from everyone, was surreal. It was reminiscent of how they'd met, and gotten to know one another, and she found the gesture incredibly sweet.
Somehow, the fact that Aladdin could rub the lamp at any second, or Rumple could appear out of nowhere and demand her help, or some sort of monster needing vanquishing could appear, only made her appreciate the quite moment that much more. The knowledge that it could be snatched away made her see it's true worth.
They talked a bit as they ate, but mostly, they just enjoyed eachother's company.
He put his arm around her, and she snuggled against him.
"Are you happy, Mel?"
"Very." She smiled up at him. "I used to think that I had to wait until everything got better. Curing Rumple, finding Bae… but a very wise person taught me that there's joy to be found in every part of life."
"Interesting use of words."
She smiled up at him. "Why?"
"Because I've been thinking a lot lately, and well… it's just been one crazy adventure after another, since the moment we met. Lulls like this are few and far between, and well, I've come to the realization that waiting for things to calm down isn't the answer."
He got up, and gently pulled her to her feet. "Mel, from the first moment I saw your face, I knew you were special. And not because of some plant from Neverland, or some accidentally acquired magic that you only got from trying to help a clown in a lamp, but just because of this." He pointed to her heart. "The kindness and loyalty, and the undying hope you've got inside you gives you an inner glow even more beautiful that that stunning face of yours. I love you more and more, every day, and my heart can't stand to imagine a life without you in it."
Happy tears welled in her eyes. "Genie…"
"Uh, uh, uh! I'm not finished."
"Sorry."
"It's okay." He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear lovingly. "See, the thing of it is, I'm crazy about you, Mel, and, don't tell Iago, but I've been doing some serious thinking about what's going to happen as soon as you've got a good hold on those portaling powers of yours. I know you're bursting at the seams to go find Bae, and when that day comes, I want to go with you. As your husband, if you'll have me."
She pressed her hands to the sides of her face as he dropped to one knee, pulled a little box from his pocket. "This is no magical ring, because I couldn't risk having it go 'poof' on a technicality. It's as real as my love is Melina, will you marry me?"
She threw her arms around his neck. "Yes, always, forever." She was afraid he'd take off into the sky again, but he calmly got to his feet, and slipped the ring onto her finger, sealing it there with a kiss.
Then he scooped her up, and shot into the sky, spinning, holding her tightly. Fireworks burst around them, nearly drowning out his 'whoop' and her own delighted shriek. Floating there, above the desert, with nothing beneath them, he kissed her, and she doubted she would have felt her feet even if they'd been solidly planted on bedrock. "I love you."
He got her into a more comfortable grip. "Love you, too." They flew her back towards the palace, where Carpet had gone after literally dropping her off.
Genie flew onto the balcony where their friends were waiting, and gently set her on her feet. "She said yes!"
Aladdin laughed. "The fireworks were a bit of a tip off."
Jasmine swatted his arm with a scowl, then turned to smile at them sweetly. "Congratulations. Both off you." Abu danced around the room while Carpet flew in circles over head. Iago sat perched in the corner, pretending not to notice.
Genie suddenly frowned, and she followed his gaze to a rather forlorn looking Aladdin. "Something wrong, Al?"
The young Sultan-to-be shook his head. "Not at all. It's just… well, I guess you'll both be leaving now, and…"
She laughed softly. "Aladdin, let's not start worrying about that already. When we're ready to leave, it's not going to change how much you mean to us."
Genie nodded. "All you have to do is rub, Al. We'll only ever be a mirror away."
Jasmine gasped, a look of worry clouding her own face. "We need to plan a wedding! We;ll need flowers, and invitations, and a dress, certainly… and…"
Genie stopped her before she could feel alarmed. "Whoa! Jaz, take it easy! Unless you and Al are planning on getting hitched tomorrow, take a deep breath."
"I…"
He cut the princess off. "We'll get everything together when the time comes. Mel barely said yes here. Give her a sec."
She smiled. "I don't need a sec, but let's not go to any trouble. I'd like to have my family there, but, well…" A hint of sadness crept over her. They were planning to get married to go look for Bae together, and she knew Rumple wasn't likely to show up just to give her away.
Genie was right there with the answer. "Sure. It's not like our social standing reaches much further than you guys. A simple wedding's what I had in mind, too. Now when you kids decide to tie the knot… well!" A giant scrapbook flashed before them, stuffed full. " I have a couple little ideas."
She laughed, holding tightly to her fiance's arm, letting go of all of her worries for the future. She decided to take a page from Genie's book, and just focus on making the very best of each moment she was living in. Not an easy choice, but one that would be much easier with the forever cheerful man beside her.