"Oh, well, at least get them something else to entertain themselves with."said Iago.
"Genie'll take care of that."Aladdin told him.
"Oh, right. We've already seen how good Genie is at keeping them entertained. Outstanding!"
"Don't take everything out on Genie, Iago. Don't worry. I'll talk to them. And I'm sure my sister will do something about them. And my mom always bakes for them."said Francisco.
"Oh, so now you're going to reward them?"
No one answered him.
"Look, Iago, at least tomorrow you won't have them all over you. Tomorrow, Don Camilo is offering a party in honor of his daughter being married."
"And just about time, too."said Aida, glaring at Francisco.
"Ah. Just tell me, Jasmine, was your sister like this as a girl, also. Or just after she met me?"
"Oh, well, she would never let anyone else ride her pony. She was very possessive of him, too."
"Oh, I thought it was just because she loved my charming self too much. But apparently, I was mistaken."
"I'm not jealous of an idiot like Lucero Beltran."said Aida angrily.
"I don't know whether to be grateful that you aren't like that, Jasmine, or whether to be jealous of you, Francisco, having a wife who cares too much about you. No, I think I'd rather be grateful."
"Yes, be. She can get pretty angry at times. And you don't want to know what she's like when she's angry. Especially if it's something like that."
"Oh, you…I'm not jealous of anybody, and you know it."
Genie and Josefina led the children around the gardens.
"Just see, my darlings. You see all the flowers? Aren't they gorgeous? So beautiful. That is just why we must always remember to take care of them. All the plants and animals. The trees give us air to breathe, and they are so old, also. Why, much, much older than me."
"So old?"
"Oh!"
Josefina held her fan to her face.
"Are you calling me old?"
"You said they were old."
"No offending Auntie, now, no offending."said Genie. "Hmm. I think we should go back to the house. It looks like Saba might be catching a cold."
"Oh, dear!"Josefina exclaimed, and leaned to look at the baby. "You don't think she is, is she, Genie."
"Might be."
Genie changed into a doctor, and began to examine Saba.
"Do you think it could be anything serious, Genie?"asked Josefina anxiously. "This is all my fault! I should never have suggested a walk outside. Do you think perhaps I should run back to the house, and ask Nana to call the doctor?"
"Perhaps."
"Oh, dear!"
Josefina picked up her skirts and ran back towards the house.
"I want to go to the lake."
"I want to go mountain climbing."
"I want to go to the beach."
"I want to go swimming."
"Not now, children. I'm afraid Saba might be catching a cold. I think I heard her sneeze."
"Can Saba catch cold?"
"Quiet now. Quiet."
Josefina was out of breath when she reached the house.
"Nana! Nana! We were outside, Genie said Saba was catching a cold."
"Oh, dear."
Genie was back with Saba in his arms, and more Genies were holding each child by the hand. Clara looked at Saba.
"Nothing serious."she said.
"Oh, Nana, are you sure?"
"Of course. Only perhaps the pollen. An allergy would be the worst."
"Oh, dear, thank heaven I was so worried."
"I'm sure I heard her sneeze."said Genie.
"She's fine."
"I want to find Iago."
Genie turned around.
"No! Now, remember what you were told. No more Iago hunting."
"We weren't going to hunt him. We were going to catch him."
"No. We'll find you another bird."
"The chickens!"
The children ran out again.
"No!"
Genie immediately ran after them. He caught up, and carried them back to the house.
"Whew! Now, everyone needs to behave now, or else. Now, we're going to do something nice and quiet. Or no one goes to the party tomorrow. Now, to wash up for supper."
"I don't want to wash up."
"We have to."
He led them all into the bathroom, where he washed their hands, brushed their hair, and dressed them for supper.
"Now we look like real ladies and gentlemen."
"I don't like the dress I'm wearing, Genie."
"Oh, um, it was the only one you could wear to supper."
"I want to wear the other one."
"No, the other one is for tomorrow."
"But I want to wear it now."
"No. And remember, anyone laying a hand on Iago, doesn't go to the party tomorrow. Understood?"
"What if he asks us to play with him?"
"He won't. I promise you."
"What if you lie to us, Genie."
"I didn't. Hurry up, now, we don't want to be late for supper, now, do we?"
He led them down the stairs, into the dining room, where they all took their place.
"What has taken you so long?"asked Ester.
"Oh, don't scold them, Mother."said Josefina, looking fondly at them.
"A good scolding is just what they need."said Iago, who was settled on Cassim's shoulder, out of the childrens' reach.
"Oh, but they're such little angels."
Iago rolled his eyes.
"Angels, all right."he said, sarcastically. "Devils, more like."
"Iago."said Aladdin.
"What, Al? I was just voicing my opinion, just like everyone else here."
"Abu's nicer than Iago. I don't like Iago. He's mean, Daddy."said Aaliyah.
"Oh, so now I'm mean, am I? I'm only the victim here!"
"Enough, Iago. You, too."he added to the children.
"Enough portions of vegetables."said Genie. "I think we should skip the chocolate and pastries tonight."
"NO!"
"It's for their good."
"Oh, but they deserve their treat."said Josefina.
"Your sister is retarded, Francisco."said Iago.
"All my siblings are retarded."Francisco told Iago. "You just haven't gotten to know them well enough."
"I've seen enough. I don't to get to know your brothers and sisters better, thanks. These monsters are enough, thank you."
"There are monsters here?"asked Aaliyah.
"No, of course not. See what you're causing, Iago."
"Perhaps we shouldn't let the bird in anymore."said Josefina. "He scares the children so."
"So now I'm the bad guy?"
"No more arguing!"said Genie.
"It's true."
"Can I stay for the ball tomorrow?"asked Sabdullah excitedly.
"No."
"But why not?"
"You'll be coming home with Genie. You can go to the ball when you're older. Not now."
"Well, in that case I should stay for the ball."said Iago.