Zarinda's Announcement Part 2

"As you wish." James said to Mrs. Chan.

James went back down to the basement to begin his work shift at the restaurant in the Chan's estate just as more footsteps were coming down the staircase.

"Charlie," Rosa said. "I think I can hear the sound of one of the children stirring right now."

"I think you're right, Rosa Sweetheart," Charlie said. "it could very well be any of the children except for Henry, since he already left for work."

But it wasn't either of Charlie's nine other sons & daughters, but instead, Elizabeth, the kitchen cook entered the kitchen.

"Oh no!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"What's the matter, Elizabeth?" Charlie asked.

"We are fresh out of eggs, Mr. Chan," Elizabeth exclaimed. "I can't make pancakes without eggs!"

"It's all right, Elizabeth," Rosa said kindly. "there are eggs in the restaurant's kitchen downstairs, you may make pancakes down in that kitchen."

"Thank you, Mrs. Chan." Elizabeth said gratefully.

Elizabeth went down to the basement restaurant's kitchen to begin making breakfast.

"So, Mrs. Chan," Zarinda asked Rosa. "when will the rest of your stepchildren be waking up?"

Suddenly, they could hear more footsteps coming down the stairs.

Into the kitchen came Stanley, Suzie, Alan, Anne, Tom, Flip, Nancy, Mimi, Scooter, and Chu Chu.

Alan sneezed into the blue & white checked handkerchief that he always carried with him for whenever he was tinkering and he sneezed & coughed while doing so in his basement workshop.

"Alan! Oh, Alan," Anne asked her twin brother in a concerned voice. "are you all right, Buddy?"

Alan sneezed into his handkerchief as Suzie felt his forehead, "You are quite warm, Alan." she said.

"Nonsense, Suzie, I feel fine." Alan protested.

Alan sneezed into his handkerchief once more as Anne reached out for him.

Tom grabbed Anne by the hand forcefully, "Stand back!" he ordered.

"But why, Tom," Anne protested, wrenching her left arm from his tight grasp. "I'm sure Alan just has allergies."

Alan sneezed into his handkerchief once again.

"Tom's right, Annie, you had better keep away from me, I think I am coming down with a cold or something," Alan said. "I think I should go back to bed."

"Not so fast, Alan Joseph Chan," Rosa scolded. "you can at least wait until after Zarinda tells you all her good news!"

Alan sneezed once more into his handkerchief.

"So, Zarinda, what's your good news?" Suzie asked, she was excited.

"Illusio finally popped the question, he asked me to marry him," Zarinda answered Suzie. "and I gratefully accepted his proposal!"

"You mean to say?" Mimi asked Zarinda.

"That's right," Zarinda exclaimed. "I'm getting married!"

"That is such wonderful news, Zarinda," Suzie exclaimed. "so, how may we help out?"

"Illusio has selected your father to be our best man, I have selected your stepmother or in the cases of Mimi & Scooter... mother to be my matron of honor."

"What about the rest of us?" Stanley asked impatiently, he wanted Zarinda to cut to the chase.

"Stanley!" Rosa scolded.

"So sorry, Rosa." Stanley apologized.

"It's quite all right, Stanley," Rosa said kindly. "I do think you need to apologize to Zarinda."

Stanley hugged Zarinda gently, "Sorry for my impatience, Zarinda." he said.

"That is quite all right, Stanley, the rest of you boys will be Illusio's groomsmen, including Henry & James, Scooter will be our ring bearer, Anne, Nancy, and Suzie will be be my bridesmaids, and Mimi will be our flower girl."

"Hold on, hold on," Alan said, stifling a cough. "I can't be in the wedding when I am not feeling so well!"

"That's right," Tom agreed. "and, what about ushers?"

"That is where we come in." a voice said.

Two stout gentlemen walked in wearing red fezzes.

"Ali! Baba!" Stanley exclaimed.

"Yes, that's us, we'll be the ushers." Baba said, Ali was the one who had spoken only moments before.