A New Future

23. Aladdin

Later that night after everyone was in bed, Jasmine got up. She only pretended to be asleep. She quietly got up and dressed and called for Carpet. "Carpet!" Carpet came and floated in front of her. "We're going on an adventure." She said climbing on him. Rajah awoke and looked at her trying to climb on. "Sorry, Rajah. You can't come. Don't worry. I'll be back soon. I'll bring some fresh fruit if you stay quiet to Mama and Papa. Can you do that?" Rajah nodded smiling at the thought of fresh fruit and layed down to sleep again. Jasmine took the money she had from her piggy bank and smiled. "To the market, Carpet."

Carpet flew to the market and accidentally knocked down the Genie lamp which caused Anna to hear and wake up. Jasmine and Carpet were long gone and Anna came to see what the noise was. She turned on the lights and rubbed her eyes. "Jasmine, is that you?" She asked groggily and let her eyes adjust. Once she could see clearly, she looked to the bed to find Rajah asleep and Jasmine gone. Anna turned the lights out and ran to her room. "GABRIEL! GABRIEL! WAKE UP!"

Gabriel woke and rubbed his eyes. "What's wrong, Anna?"

"JASMINE'S GONE! I heard a crash and went to check to see if she was ok, but when I turned the lights on, only Rajah was in bed and Jasmine was missing!"

Gabriel got up and got dressed. "Alright. She couldn't have gone far. I'll go look for her. You stay here and calm down. We don't want you putting too much stress on the baby."

Anna was four months pregnant with their fourth child and found out it was another girl. Anna took a deep breath and sat down. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"It's ok. You just stay here and get some rest. I'll go look for Jasmine and bring her home. I promise."

Anna nodded and just as Gabriel walked out the door, Genie came floating in. "What's going on, Gabe?"

"Princess Jasmine is missing. I'm going to look for her."

"I'll help. I don't need to sleep much being a genie."

"Thank you, Genie. If you find her, come get me."

"Yes sir."

[With Jasmine and Carpet]

Jasmine had just bought some watermelons and mangoes. Giving the stand owner wasn't there due to it being late at night, she left the money and a note with her name for him. She loaded up Carpet and started heading towards the desert. Genie came and stood in front of her. "Princess Jasmine. There you are."

"What are you doing here, Genie?"

"I came to bring you home. Your parents were worried sick."

"Please don't tell Mama and Papa where I am. I just came to the market for Rajah and was going on a little adventure. I'll be back before they're up."

"Your Papa is out looking for you."

"Please don't tell him you found me. I'll be home safe in a couple of hours."

Genie sighed as Jasmine gave him the cutest puppy dog pout and eyes. "Alright. I'll tell your Papa to go home and sleep and that I'll stay out to look for you. I'm keeping an eye on you."

"Thank you, Genie." She said smiling.

Genie went to tell Gabriel the deal and he reluctantly agreed. Genie came back and followed Princess Jasmine. They saw a boy about the age of a toddler with a little monkey on his shoulder steal a piece of fruit. "Hey, You! Thief!" Genie yelled.

The boy turned around and froze. "Me?"

Genie nodded and the boy ran. "Stop him, Genie!" Jasmine yelled.

Genie magically caged the boy stopping him in his tracks. The boy turned around and looked at the two. "What are you?"

"He's a genie. And I'm Princess Jasmine." Jasmine said. "What's your name, Thief?"

"A...A...A...Aladdin." He stuttered nervously. He recomposed himself and spoke more confidently. "And this is my monkey friend Abu."

"Where are your parents, Aladdin?"

"I don't have any. I've been living on my own since I was born. Abu here found me and took care of me until I could walk and talk. Now he just stays with me. I was abandoned the day of my birth and the only thing that was there was the blanket I was wrapped in with the name Aladdin on it and a note that told me the date of my birth. The note was from my birth mother. It said that I was in danger and that she abandoned me to save me. She said she loved me and that she'd see me again one day. But when I started walking and talking, I went to look for her and I was told she had died. She was murdered and so it was just me and Abu ever since."

"I'm sorry. Why don't you come live with me and my family? I'm sure my Mama and Papa won't mind. How old are you anyway?"

"Two. I just turned two a month ago. How about you?"

"I just turned one. I'm the youngest. I have a brother that's twelve minutes older than me and a sister that's ten minutes older than me."

"Your a triplet?"

"Yep. And Mama is having a baby in a few months. It's a girl. We found out a week ago. Our birthday was today er yesterday."

"Nice to meet you. You said you were a princess. Is that true? What's your last name?"

"Valerious Van Helsing."

Aladdin looked horrified. "I... uh... gotta go." He said running off.

"WAIT!" Jasmine yelled. "Carpet, cut him off." She whispered.

Carpet flew faster and stopped in front of him. Aladdin stopped and looked at her. "I'm sorry. I have to go."

"NO! Wait. What's wrong?" Jasmine asked.

"I... uh... I..."

"What? You can tell me."

Aladdin sighed. "My birth mother was bitten by a warewolf and I was told the king was the one that killed her."

"Oh. I'm sorry. But Papa doesn't murder people. Not innocents anyway. Papa just saved her from the curse so it didn't get worse."

"He's a murderer!"

"No he's not. Come with me, Aladdin. I will show you. If I can convince him and Mama to let you live with us, I will show you and tell you everything I know." Jasmine said holding her hand out.

Aladdin hesitated, but then took hold and climbed onto Carpet next to her. They flew home and into her bedroom. Genie went into his lamp and Jasmine took Aladdin to her parents room and knocked. Anna stood up still awake with worry and opened the door. "Jasmine!" She said happily relieved and hugged her daughter. "I was so worried. Where have you been, Young Lady?"

"I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to worry you. Don't worry, Genie found me and there's also someone I'd like you to meet." She said stepping aside. "This is Aladdin. He's two. His birthday was a month ago."

Anna looked at the boy. "Where are your parents, Young Man?"

"I don't have any, Your Highness. I don't know of any father and my mother abandoned me to save me. She left me this note." He said handing her the note from the basket.

Anna read the note and sighed. "Very well. You will live us. No adoption necessary. For tonight, you may stay in Jasmine's room with her and tomorrow we will fix up one of the extra rooms for you."

"Thank you, Your Highness."