Hello everyone!

First of all, I want to thank everyone for clicking on this fan fiction and I hope you thoroughly enjoy and give me your feedback. It means a lot to me.

I'm really excited about some of the things that come up in this part of the story and where I plan on taking things, and I really hope you all enjoy (I know I'm rambling, but I'm always nervous when posting).

So, this is the second book with Leila and Sinbad. This first chapter is purely fluff and just a reintroduction to Leila. If you haven't read the first book, please check it out (major spoilers even in this first chapter).

I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 1

Taking a deep breath, the scent of the ocean and exotic flowers I could only imagine fill me with this sense of home. The sun warms my skin as a breeze battles with it to send a chill down my spine.

This country really is something else. People bustle around the courtyard eagerly going to small merchant stands and chatting with neighbors. It's a bit difficult to know that many of the thoughts that have haunted me won't affect them. There's also some comfort in that thought; that perhaps those close to me will avoid all of that from here on out.

"Isn't Zahara up yet?"

I watch Ja'far walk in without so much as a knock. It's hard to believe how much has changed with him over the last several years. He has just barely surpassed me in height — much to my dismay. Once loud and brass, he's quiet, calm and reserved. Still a pessimist and never without his weapons at the ready.

Ja'far is also the biggest push over when it comes to my daughter.

Zahara, now six, is the entire reason I kept going when, mentally, at my worst. As such, he dotes on her and caves whenever he scolds her. Which I have to do rather frequently. Being here, she's had her head filled with adventure stories and elaborate tales. Being a naturally curious child to begin with, I spend a lot of time trying to keep her out of trouble.

"She's still asleep, Ja'far."

Turning away from the window, I step over to my desk and pick up a cup of steaming tea taking a long sip as he sighs. I continue to drink even as the tea burns my tongue to avoid laughing.

"It's not funny, Leila." I shrug as he glares at me. It doesn't last long before he looks away with a sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. "We leave in a few hours."

"Don't be so strict today. There's no need for attitude."

God, I sounded like a Mom right now.

"Did you just Mom voice me?"

"It's been a long few days." I sit down as Ja'far stays silent, urging me to continue. "I'm not exactly excited to be going on this trip."

"Then why did you agree to come?"

"You know why, Ja'far. Don't make me say it."

"You have to now. We covered how this is a problem of yours. I've seen you cry ten times in 25 years. Twenty-five. You're not keeping this to yourself until you lose it."

"Don't be an ass about this." He doesn't waver even slightly. "Fine, I don't like this situation and don't think it's safe. I'm going because sometimes Sin is a reckless idiot, but I hate the fact that I'm leaving Zahara here and feel like I'm a shitty Mom."

"You aren't."

"I know, but when you spend the first two years raising your child in prison that little voice doesn't want to go away."

"I do agree with you though."

"That I'm a bad mother?"

I bite back a laugh as Ja'far pinches the bridge of his nose again. He's become way to serious in recent years.

"You know what I mean. This whole situation is strange, and your…"

And there it is. That awkward moment when basically everyone who has know Sinbad and I for any significant length of time almost mentions our past engagement. It's not a big deal to Sin or I, but everyone acts like they committed some crime.

To be honest, Sin and I are in a really good place.

We aren't together and maybe never will be. I don't want to pressure him, or maybe I don't want him to pressure me. He respects that though. Never overstepping unless I indicate that I'm okay with it and even then seems hesitant. He's didn't hesitate at all with Zahara.

Often times I find him helping her on her little adventures to find some plant she read about or see little hidden spots on the island. Half the time, he'll even equip a Djinn to fly them there. I nearly had a heart attack the first time I saw this happen. Sinbad just paled as I took Zahara and flew the giggling four year old to Ja'far to watch while I yelled at Sinbad. It didn't last long. He just looked so guilty and apologized profusely that I ended up just telling him to let me know when they do this.

And that if he dropped her Sindria would need a new king.

"I'll go get Zahara up," I say standing up. "The two of us will be ready long before Sinbad or Masrur."

"I'll wake her up," remarks with a slight glare. "Just go and get ready. We don't have all day."

Leaning back, I watch as Ja'far opens her bedroom door. His whole body tenses as he quickly steps inside. I hear items moves around and a string of curse words from Ja'far.

"Leila!" He runs over to me quickly. I just look at him worried as he grips my arms a bit to tightly. "She isn't in there! I thought you said she was still asleep!"

"She was." He lets go and curses as I sit down slowly. "Oh god. Ja'far-"

"Please don't panic." I nod with a frown and look down at my hands. My shoulders start to shake as I bite my lip. "We'll find her. I'll go get everyone and-"

"Uncle Ja'far?"

I burst out laughing as Ja'far turns around quickly. He looks absolutely terrified as a slightly sleepy Zahara comes over with Skyla, the black and white puppy, following.

"Did you have a nice sleep, Little One." I go over and kiss Zahara on top of her head as she nods. "Go get dress so we can have breakfast. Okay?"

She nods and goes into her room. My guess is that she'll get dressed and start playing.

"Leila! But-"

I turn towards the confused Ja'far as he tries to figure out what happened.

"I could tell where you were hiding to keep an eye on me when I first got back from Reim. Do you really think I would just lose my daughter? She was upset about me leaving and crawled into bed with me. I didn't have the heart to tell her no."

"I hate you."

I hear a gasp behind me from Zahara. She runs over and smacks Ja'far's arm. He just raises and eyebrow as she glares.

"You can't say that. Apologize to Mama."

"I was just kidding, right Leila." I smile and nod. "See, Zahara. No harm."

"Go get ready. Uncle Ja'far needs to leave so I can do that too."

Zahara walks away, but glares at Ja'far the entire time. He just glares at me.

"Did I look like that when I glare? If so I see why it never phased Sin. She's really cute.

"Just get ready!"

I laugh as Ja'far storm off and Zahara looks at me confused.

"You're uncle can be a little high strung."