Francisco was right about his mother. Esther really did like children. Now, however, you couldn't tell which one was exaggerating more, Esther, or Genie. The one good thing was that Esther disagreed with Genie completely about his security measure.

"No, you see, the child does need his family. Well, he needs people in general. Besides, I don't think all your security measures are necessary. That's just what the mother is here for. As long as she and the wet nurse have had whatever you're afraid the baby will catch, he won't catch anything. I assure you. At least such a thing has never happened at Dzonot, either to me, or to any one else."

"Francisco told us you have ten children Miss Esther."said Jasmine.

"Yes, only ten. I would have liked more, but, you know. One can't have so many."

"More!"

"Of course, but ten is nothing. And aunt of mine had about fifteen. My Aunt Elvira. And my mother only seven."

"Oh, my."

Everyone in Agrabah was celebrating, the birth of the Prince. The Sultan had given heaps of gold to the people. There had been festivities, and everyone had sent gifts to Prince Ali. Nahil hadn't seen the girl, Haifa. He took that she was probably busy, because of that. Everyone else had joined the festivities. He just wanted to see the girl again. He had to see her again, otherwise, everything would have been a waste. Today, seemed to be his lucky day, however, he saw her, walking towards the seamstress's.

"Hello, remember me?"he asked.

"Oh, yes."

"I heard about the prince."

"Yes, isn't that wonderful. Everyone in the Palace is absolutely overjoyed. Especially the Sultan and the Sultana."

"I should imagine so."

"Now, we have another guest at Princess Aida's wedding."

"Is that what you're going to the seamstress's for?"

"In part. You see, after the wedding, everyone will be going to visit Princess Aida's new home in Yucatan."

Nahil stopped in his tracks.

"Everyone?"he asked.

"Everyone. The Sultan will leave the captain of the guards in charge while he's gone."

"Oh."

Nahil thought quickly. He'd have to do it now. He had hoped he would win this Haifa's trust, but if he was going to leave, the sooner the better. He didn't know if he was going to get another chance.

"I know we just met, and all, but, I was wondering, if they would be needing anyone at the Palace. You see, I lost my job, and I really, really need to find work. I'm an orphan. I'd be no trouble."he said.

"Well, I don't know, but I'm sure the Sultan won't find any inconveniences, and he'll find something for you in the Palace. I'll talk to the Princess."

"Oh, thank you. Pray that she listens to you."

"She will. Besides, I should think that we need more people. Tomorrow, Mister Francisco's siblings will be coming. He has nine brothers and sisters, and their nurse."

"Oh., well, would you let me know?"

"Yes."

Nahil hoped that she could help him. Of course, she didn't know why he wanted to get into the Palace, but he didn't think anyone would suspect. Now, he would just have to tell his uncle he had another job. In the Palace. He would not be happy, but if he said that he was offered to work in the Palace, and that he couldn't turn it down, he knew his uncle would let him go.

"Princess!"said Haifa, as she ran in, breathlessly.

"Haifa! Don't be running around like that! You know better, don't you?"

"I was just wondering, you see, I've met this young man, who needs a job. He's a friend."

"And?"

"Couldn't he work here, in the Palace? He has no family."

"You want us to take in orphans?"

"Well…"

"I was only joking. I'll see, I guess we can come up with something for him to do."

"Thank you, Princess."

"Yes."

Aida shook her head. She had never seen Haifa act like this. Well, then again, the girl was always very unusual. The next morning, all nine of Francisco's brothers and sisters arrived, along with three women.

"Well, I've missed everyone!"he said, as the youngest ones ran up to hug him, after hugging their parents.

"This is a big place."said the youngest girl. "Are we going to stay here?"

"Yes, for a while, before we return to Dznonot."

"I didn't want to come."said another.

"How do you remember all of their names?"

"Well, you get used to it, after while, you know. Everyone, this is Aida."

"Is she the one you're going to marry?"

"Yes."

"She's pretty."said one of the boys.

"Yeah, she is. Aida, this is Jose Manuel, we call him Josema, though. Not Jose Maria, but Jose Manuel. That was one of my mother's ideas." He went up to the three oldest girls. "These are my older sisters. Teresa, Adriana, and Josefina, they're the ones who are older than me. Then comes Josema, Rosario, Ma.Fernanda, Eduardo, Gregorio, and Rosa Izela. Half and half. Nos-nos. Five girls and five boys. If you need help remembering names, just ask. Everyone is used to it. You're not the only one who's had trouble. And this is my nana Clara, and the girls are Clemencia and Concepcion. Just remember that their names all start with the letter C."

"I'll try."

"When are we going to go back to Dznonot?"asked the one called Ma.Fernanda.

"So soon? Don't you want to see what it's like here?"

"No."

"Ah, kids. I'm hungry."

"We'll eat in just a little while."said Aida.

"I want to see my room."

"Well, go with Haifa."

"Why is her name Haifa."

"Because that's what her mother named her."said Francisco.

"Why?"

Francisco ignored her.

"I hope this won't make you change your mind about marrying me."he said.

"It might take a little getting used to, but it's a nice change. Everything is so quiet, and I'm guessing that Aladdin and Jasmine might as well get used to it."

"Well, in that case, I'm guessing it's a good thing."

"Yes."

Aida's father, for one was delighted with all the children. He immediately got out all his toys, and they began to build large towers.

"I guess my father's great with children."she said, observing them.

"I think I may change my mind about going."joked Aladdin.

"Why? You don't have much patience?"

"I guess I don't."

Genie tried to keep the children busy, and tried to keep order.

"Well, at least he's forgotten all about Ali."

During dinner, Genie tried to supervise the table, but he didn't get very far. He was surprised to see that none of the kids were picky eaters, and they wanted to try everything.

"Not too much, children, not too much."he would say. "No!"he yelled, as one of the boys threw a buttered biscuit across the table, and one of the girls, knocked over a jug. "Ahhhh! Food fight!"

"Children!"yelled Esther. "Stop, right now!"

Esther's voice seemed to achieve what Genie couldn't.

"Or everyone will go to bed with no supper."she said.

The children quieted down.

"That's why my mother was able to have so many children. She just has to lay hands on a child, and it stops crying. She's good with them."

"Now, now, children, stop please."laughed Aida's father.

Aladdin couldn't help laughing at the look on Genie's face when he had tried to dive and save both the biscuit and the jug.

"Is this the way it always is?"asked Aladdin.

"Not always. Today, probably because they're excited, but usually they behave very well. Don't you?"

"Yes."

"You see."

"I want to see the baby."said Rosario.

"Not right now, Darling."said Esther. "You have to finish your supper, and maybe tomorrow, if his parents allow it."

"Of course."said Aladdin. "After all, it looks like Genie looks wiped out."he said, observing Genie.

"For once."said Francisco.

"Will you be wearing a white dress?"Rosa Izela asked Aida. "I will get to wear a white dress when I'm fifteen, and when I get married."

"Yeah, I'll be wearing white."

"And you'll be like my sister."

"Yes."

"How long is it?"

"Two weeks."said Francisco. "Only two weeks."