Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

Next Generation

News and rumours usually spread quite quickly around the palace. And today was no exception. As Sinbad went about his day, he kept hearing the words "queen" and "pregnant" being thrown about. At first he didn't think anything of it but it wasn't long before he heard even the guards talking about it.

As he made his way to his room, the gears in his head were turning. 'Is Layla pregnant? Can we even get pregnant at 50?' An image of them old and wrinkly came to mind, both of them practically on their death beds with a newborn baby in their arms.

He froze, his eyes widening as he began to freak out. He now ran to his room and stormed in, finding Layla reading a book in bed. She looked at him with concern.

"What's wrong, Sin? Why do you look so stressed?"
He rushed over to her and held her shoulders. "Are you pregnant?!" he asked, staring directly into her eyes.
She was completely taken aback by his question. "What?! Have you gone crazy?"
"But people were saying that you're pregnant."
Her eyes widened. "Sin. I'm going through menopause. I can no longer get pregnant," she said clearly.
He blinked. "Oh yeah... I forgot." He let go of her and laughed awkwardly. "Oops."
She rolled her eyes. "I was waiting for you to finish work to tell you."
He sat down on the bed. "To tell me what?"
She smiled, holding his hand. "The reason why you heard them talking about a queen."
"Okay..." he said, unsure as to what she was getting at.
"You're such an idiot. Who is the future queen?"
"Esra," he answered.
"Great. Now figure it out."

He stared at her work a blank expression on his face but she could tell that he was trying to figure it out. She sometimes wondered how he even made it as far as he did in life. But then again, he had her with him to push him along. After about a minute, he suddenly gasped and shot up from the bed.

"Esra's pregnant?!"
Layla stood up as well and squealed excitedly. "Yes! We're going to be grandparents!"

Sinbad could feel his heart pumping fast. It felt the same way when Layla returned from Kou and told him that she was pregnant. Back then he was going to be a dad. And now he was going to be a granddad.

"My little girl..." he whispered. "Are you sure?"
Layla's eyes welled up with tears of joy as she nodded. "Yes, it's true."

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. She held onto him, burying her face into the crook of his neck. Over 20 years ago, neither of them thought they were going to be parents, let alone become grandparents.

"Where is she?" he asked.
"She's resting in her room."
"Can we see her?"
She pulled away from the hug and nodded. "She's been waiting for you."

Sinbad grabbed her hand and instantly rushed out of the room with her. He wanted to see his daughter and fast. When they made it to her room, he knocked.

"Esra, it's me," he called.
"Come in, dad."

He opened the door and saw her lying down in bed. She smiled and sat up as he and Layla went to her. He sat down beside her and held her face with a proud smile on his own.

Esra giggled. "I'm guessing mom told you."
"Yes. And I'm so happy." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Congratulations, princess."
"Thank you, dad. I was going to tell you and mom together but mom saw me throw up and she figured it out straight away."
He shook his head. "It's fine. How are you feeling?"
"Still a bit nauseous," she sighed. "Omar's gone to find me something to eat."
Sinbad laughed. "I remember when your mom was pregnant with you. She had the weirdest cravings. One time, she had ice cream with mango pickle and chocolate sauce."
Esra's eyes lit up. "Ooh! That actually sounds delicious."
He sweatdropped. "I'll have the chef prepare some for you."
Layla sat down beside him and held her daughter's hand. "Both times I was pregnant, my sickness was absolutely horrible. I honestly felt sorry for your dad. I was up and down from bed all night. The only way I could feel a little relief was by sniffing him."
Esra giggled. "That's actually really adorable."