After the wedding, it seemed that Aladdin and Jasmine had really, really found their happiness. The Sultan was also very happy. Happy for Jasmine, and because she had finally gotten married, and had someone to look after her after he was gone. Cazeem was happy because after so many years, he would finally be with his son. Aida was also happy for Jasmine and Aladdin. And Genie, Abu, Iago, and Carpet, well, they just tried to please Aladdin and Jasmine from having any problems. Iago was the only one not happy. The fact that Cazeem had thrown the Hand of Midas seemed to have him very depressed. He kept asking why he had done it and said that things would have been better if he could have had both the Hand and his son. Aida always found this very funny.
"If only before you left Jafar, he could've put under a spell to change, Iago. But I guess some things just never change."
"It might take time. Besides, that's one of the things that makes Iago Iago."said Aladdin.
"That's true. One of the things that makes him him. Just like greed, and snobbiness make Aunt Fara Aunt Fara."
"Right. You should've seen him, though, the first time we were in the hideout of the Fourty Thieves. You see, he really regretted he hadn't stayed with Genie to clean up the mess. Not to mention the screaming we had to endure when we were following them. And then, when his tail feathers got stuck in the closed door."
"Now I'm starting to regret I didn't go. I would've enjoyed that. I was just too afraid to be more of a hindrance than a help. Besides, I'm sure those thieves wouldn't have hesitated to kidnap me."
Aladdin shook his head and rolled his eyes the same way he did when Iago was upset because his tail feathers were stuck between the closed doors, after Abu had pulled him free.
"Now I've been doing the perfect research."Aida said, a few days after Jasmine told her that she was going to have a baby.
"Research? For?"asked Jasmine.
"For what else, Jasmine, you see, you must give my niece or nephew the perfect names. Which is why I've been researching that."
"I've never thought about that."Jasmine said. "I just thought we'd choose a name that both Aladdin and I liked."
"No, no, no, or rather, I think you'll like this one. You see, I still remember the letters you send me about Prince Ali. See, that's the name you should give him. In a way, I guess that is how you and Aladdin met. Or, well, not met, but got to know each other. I think he would probably like it."
"I still remember. I thought he was hateful, that he thought I was only a prize."
"Well, I guess, he must have thought he had to act a little careless. I mean, that is how most of the princes I've met act."
"Me, too. But Aunt Fara never tried to force you to marry one of them."
"No, because she suggested them to Father, to marry you. She always chose the most hateful ones. Or not hateful, but the once with the most money, power, or land, you know."
"That's true."
"I think that's why she married Uncle Rafik."
"She always thought that money and power were the most important things in the world."
"Well, and have you told anyone else besides me?"asked Aida.
"Not yet. I haven't worked out how."
"Well, let's see. I know Father will be overjoyed. We already know. With him it'll be easy. Genie, well, he'll happy for Aladdin. Iago, I don't know, Abu, probably happy. Mr.Cazeem, hm, I don't know him too well, but I suppose like Father, and Aladdin, well, I don't think there will be words to describe him."
"Father will probably want another party."
"Yes. He'll be overjoyed. He'll want only the very best. Just like me, of course, but I must get you something. Let's see. I have half a mind to go out into the marketplace, and take a look at all the merchandise they have there. But no! To get us into another mess like that one with the Oracle!"
"Oh, that wasn't such a big mess. It was thanks to you that Aladdin found his father after all these years."
"I guess you're right. There's always something bad in everything good, and something good in everything bad. Nothing is truly good or bad."
"I think you're wrong right there. Jafar was truly bad. Evil."
"I think I'll have to agree with you on that one."
"Yes. Most definitely."
Iago flew into the room.
"Well, you ladies ought to do me a favor."he said to Jasmine and Aida.
"What kind of a favor, Iago?"
"Just by telling Al that I should be his advisor. I mean every sultan needs a good advisor. You know, such a stressful position, and we wouldn't want him to make any bad choices, do we?"
"Don't worry about it, Iago. I already sent for one."said Aida.
"You what!"
"Yes, I sent for one. He'll be here any day. He's a professional advisor, you know."
"Wha…but, that was supposed to be my position after Al became sultan."
"No, I went over the list with Genie, and we both decided that this one was best."
Iago flew away.
"Did you really?"asked Jasmine.
"No, I didn't. I only said that. You don't really think I would give someone an advisor they didn't know or trust. However, I think that Genie would be a better advisor than Iago."
"Genie might just go for the position of advisor."
"If it's to help Al, I guess so. And back to what we were talking about before we were so rudely interrupted. Now, let's see, I read once, someone told their lover about it in her husbands summer home, but I don't think that's a good idea. Let's see, I've got to have a good way in there somewhere. I know one, but this one was for an engagement, let's see, it was that, see the girl was a teacher, or something, and he asked her students to prepare a surprise. They made these letters, you see, and then they arranged themselves, so the signs they were holding read 'Will you marry me?', I'm guessing we could do something like that."
"Oh, and what did she say?"
"I never found out. You see, what happened is that she never got to see it. She told him her sister was getting married, and that her sister's fiancé had the good manners, or something of meeting her father, and asking for her hand. So this guy, to impress her, what he did, instead is, well, first he made a sign to the children to put the signs away, and then asked to meet her father. It was the most funny story, you know."
"Did her father like him?"
"They didn't get along, but in the end he accepted him, because his daughter loved him."
"That's so sweet."
"Yes. It was a good ending, because the guy just made a mess out of everything, but it's a good thing everything came out all right."
"I think you're right. We should do the same thing. We'll pay some children from the market, that way, they can make some money, to eat, and they can hold up the sign, and we'll tell everyone at once."
Aida rode out everyday, to find the children who needed the money the most, and brought them back to the Palace, whey they began to prepare everything.
"Where should it be?"
"I think…maybe just right there in the dining room, you know, before everyone sits down to breakfast. That should really wake them up."
"Goody. I'll go tell them."
"What are you doing here, Razouk?"asked Aida, as she went into the hall.
"Excuse me, Princess. I was simply doing my duty."
"I think that you're duty is outside the Palace, Razouk."
"I was simply keeping an eye on the King of Thieves."
"There is no King of Thieves anymore, Razouk, and if I hear you call Mr.Cazeem that any more, I will tell Aladdin."
Razouk stalked off, angrily. He had lost his promotion after Aladdin had helped Cazeem escape. Now the other guards sometimes liked to make a joke of that, so he had also lost the respect they had for him.
"Oh, I'll get him."he muttered. "I'll get him for something. That lowlife, trying to make a fool of me."
Aida overheard this and giggled. Yes, Razouk, but there's no need for him to try, you already are a fool. She met Cazeem and Aladdin.
"I'd be careful if I were you."she said to Cazeem. "Razouk is still waiting to catch you for something."
"Razouk is supposed to be with the other guards, in the city to inform me of the poverty in Agrabah."Aladdin said.
"No, apparently he still hasn't given up on catching the King of Thieves."Aida said smiling.
Cazeem also smiled.
"I always did think I was being followed."he said. "That explains it."
"I'll have to have a talk with Razouk."said Aladdn frowning.
"You should fire him, that's what. Or I could play the same joke on him, I played on the guard at my Aunt Fara's."
"That wouldn't be a bad idea."said Cazeem.
"Well, I guess that he'll be angry with me. Since, he has been after the promotion for the longest time."
"Oh, he won't get one at the rate he's going."
"You should just ascend one of the other guards and descend him."
"Hey, good idea. Thanks, Aida."
The next morning, Aida was in charge of arranging the children with the signs to tell everyone the good news. They had agreed that she would be going to breakfast a little later the last few days, so that this morning, when she was late, she would not attract attention.
"Oh, dear, you don't suppose something's wrong with your sister, do you, Jasmine?"asked her father. "She's been late every day. You don't suppose she's coming down with something?"
"She looks perfectly fine, Father."
"I hope so."
"Her breakfast will be ruined if she doesn't come soon."said Genie.
Suddenly, the children who had been hiding under the sideboards, behind cupboards, vases, and tapestries, walked out as Aida said, "Good morning, everyone." Then, they held above their heads, each bearing one letter, to make one sign, saying, 'I'm going to have a baby!'
