Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

Esra, Meet Esra

"Are they here yet?" Layla asked as she stood on her tiptoes.
"You're not going to see them any sooner by doing that."
"I might..."

They both stood at the top of the steps that led up to the palace. Behind them stood the eight generals, all eagerly awaiting for their arrival. And in Layla's arms was a one month old Esra, sucking away on her pacifier, who was finally going to meet the woman she was named after.

Sinbad's parents, Badr and Esra, were travelling from Tison Village to meet their granddaughter for the first time. Not wanting to leave the village, despite all the times Sinbad and Layla begged for them to live in the palace, they would still visit Sindria for a month each year. They had wanted to visit sooner this year but Esra's health had delayed them. After that, Layla had some of their guards go and escort them to Sindria. The ship had sailed into the port and now they were waiting for them to reach the palace.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the horse and carriage wheeled in at the bottom of the stairs. Layla squealed happily and Sinbad smiled as they made their way down to greet them. When Badr and Esra stepped out of the carriage, they couldn't help but smile upon seeing their children. They had aged a bit but they didn't look old at all. The only thing that gave their age away were the few strands of grey hairs.

"Mom. Dad. Glad you guys could make it," Sinbad greeted as he hugged his dad.
Badr smiled proudly as they parted from the hug. "Well, I couldn't wait to meet little Esra." He then held his hand up to hide his mouth as he whispered, "Honestly, one Esra was enough." He then went to the baby. "I hope you're not like your Grandma."
"Don't be silly, Badr," Esra said as she lightly hit his arm before smiling at the baby. "She's going to be amazing like me."
Layla pouted. "Dad just saw his granddaughter and forgot all about me."
Badr looked at her and shook his head. "How can I forget about the daughter I've always wanted? Come here."

Layla grinned and handed baby Esra to original Esra before hugging Badr tightly. He hugged her with one arm and kissed the top of her head.

"I missed you, dad," she said softly as she pulled away.
"I missed you too, Layla." He placed his hand on top of her head and smiled. "Thank you for giving me the joy of being a grandfather. I'm glad I've been alive long enough to see this day."
"Don't say things like that. You'll have a long life."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I feel lucky. I just wish your parents were here to see this day."
She smiled sadly. "Me too. But that's why I have you guys. And besides," she added, "you still need to do all your granddad jokes."

Sinbad smiled as he watched their exchange. He was standing with his mother, who was beaming with pride. He also felt lucky to have his parents with them but he was glad that his parents treated Layla as their own. Putting his arm around his mother, they all slowly made their way up the stairs. Layla kept her arm around Badr's waist to help him walk up as he used her and his walking stick for support.

After meeting with the generals, lunch was served. Baby Esra had fallen asleep and was kept in her Moses Basket next to the dining table.

"So, Mr dad," Sharrkan spoke awkwardly. "How does it feel being a granddad?"
Badr smiled as if he had been waiting for someone to ask him. "It feels great. I've always been waiting for this day."

Sinbad and Layla couldn't help but smile knowing that they had fulfilled his dream. And then Badr looked at them and smiled nostalgically.

"I used to watch them play together as kids," he told everyone. "I think it was when they were about five years old. They were playing when Layla fell and grazed her knee. And Sin," he chuckled as he recalled the day. "Sin ran straight past me, grabbed some water and a bandage and ran back out again. He sat there, cleaned her wound and bandaged it for her. Layla kissed his cheek and he blushed so much. It was the cutest thing."

The generals laughed at the thought of Sinbad blushing as he groaned quietly.

"Dad, you're embarrassing me in front of my generals," he whined.
Badr ignored him and turned to the generals. "Anyway, it was at that moment I wanted them to shack up and have babies."

Layla suddenly choked on her food as Sinbad's eyes almost popped out of his head. The generals glanced at each other awkwardly as Esra glared at him and elbowed his side.

"Badr!"
Layla groaned and hid her face behind her hands. "Oh, my god... Dad, we were five!"
Badr looked at them and shrugged. "What?" he asked innocently.
Sinbad almost felt too embarrassed to ask but he had to. "Dad, you wanted me and Layla to have babies when we were five?"
Badr's eyes widened as he realised why everyone was so shocked. "Oh, no! You thought I meant..." He laughed nervously. "Nonono! I mean that was when I knew I wanted them to grow up, get married and have babies."

Everyone made sounds of understanding as the mistake was cleared. Layla lifted her head up again and breathed out.

"Thank you for that, dad."
"But still," Badr said. "It was about time, huh, son? I didn't think it was going to take you that long."

This time Sinbad choked on his food as Layla's face became red.

Sinbad coughed awkwardly as he sweat-dropped. "Yes, well, we were very careful."
"Why be careful? You're both young and healthy," Badr said. "I suggest you try to make another one tonight."
Layla looked at Esra and whined, "Mom, tell him!"
Esra sighed in annoyance. "Badr, will you please stop?"
He laughed heartily. "Okay, okay. I just like embarrassing her."
Layla frowned at him. "It's very inappropriate, you know."

Just then, baby Esra woke up and began crying. Sinbad got up and lifted her out of the basket to calm her. Once she stopped crying, he went over to Badr.

"Here, dad. You haven't had the chance to hold her yet," he said.
"Ah, yes," he said happily a he readied himself.

Sinbad placed her in Badr's arms. Badr couldn't help but smile proudly as he looked down at his granddaughter and she was also looking at him. And then baby Esra found his finger and grabbed hold of it.

"Hey, I think she likes me."
Layla smiled. "Of course she does."

Everyone aww'd as they watched the precious moment. Baby Esra then pulled his finger up and into her mouth, making him laugh joyously.

"I remember when Sin used to do that," he told them.
Sinbad chuckled softly. "She's hungry."
And then Badr couldn't stop himself and smiled at her. "Hello, hungry. I'm granddad."