Figuring it Out

Princess

Aladdin's POV

"Is it just me or was dinner better than usual?" I threw myself back on the chair.

"Nope, it was better. I think I forgot how to breathe." Jasmine giggled.

"Definitely better than ship food that's for sure." Ali chuckled. "I swear if I eat anymore fish I think I'll die."

"I mean, it wasn't so bad." Sahara responded.

"Yeah because you barely ate any."

"Hey that's not true I ate some."

"Yeah some as in almost none, you wouldn't ever share any of the snacks you bought with me."

"That's because you would've ate them all—"

"Okay! That's enough bickering for today can we save some for tomorrow?" I widened my eyes at them.

"Sorry..." They both said in unison.

"Now, would you two take your brother and sister up to their rooms to get changed, please."

"But why can't Aliyah do it? I was going to take Duma out for a walk." Ali complained.

"You can take him out for five minutes after you help your brother." Jasmine said as she stood up. Ali looked to the side and rolled his eyes at her. "Hey I saw that, go!"

"Fine...come on Kal, let's get you to bed." He stood up. "Hey and what about Bella? Come on Sari."

"I'll be there in just a minute jeez I'm just finishing up." Sahara chugged down her food. "Boys..." She groaned. "Let's go Izzy."

I sighed in relief to Jasmine as they all walked out. "Well that'll be something to get use too."

"Tell me about it, but it's nice to be able to head upstairs in peace knowing we don't have to change the kids." Jasmine chuckled.

"Oh yeah, best part of having teenagers by far." I stood up and gave her a small peck. "I love you."

"I love you most. Come on lets head to bed."
We both went upstairs and into our chambers.

"You know, theres no better feeling than knowing everyones okay. The relief, it's insane." I sat on my bed.

"It really is, isn't it? I'm just happy the kids are happy, and that we're happy." Jasmine sat next to me and held my hand.

"Happiest man in the world, what can I say." She giggled. I leaned in to give Jasmine a kiss. A gasp of surprise was caught in her throat as she pulled me closer to her.

"I love you so much." She whispered to my ear as I kissed her neck softly. Slowly she laid herself body on the bed as I caressed it with my hands. The passion between us arose, that is, until we heard a knock on the door. Jasmine stopped me and sat up.

"Was that a—?"

"I think so." She said confused.

"It's late though who could it be?" I quickly stood up and walked to words the door. "May I help yo—" There stood Bella holding her blanket. I turned to Jasmine who scrunched her nose silently questioning who was at the door. "What's going on princess?" I kneeled down to match her height.

"Princess?" I felt Jasmine come up behind me.

"I had a nightmare... can I sleep with you guys tonight?"

Jasmine pouted at me and looked back at Bella. "Of course you can babygirl, come here!" She picked her up. I could tell she melted out of cuteness. "Was Kal asleep already?" Jasmine asked her.

Bella shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know he stayed with Ali."

"With Ali? But I thought he was walking Duma?" Jasmine turned to me confused.

I sighed. "I'll check on them."

"Please."

I gave Bella a small kiss in the head and Jasmine a peck. "I'll be right back I promise."

Walking out of my bedroom I headed to Ali's, which to my surprise was completely empty. Quickly I ran outside to see him playing with Duma while Kal ran around the garden. "Ehem." I startled him as I stood behind him.

"Oh, hi Dad!" His face turned red. "I was just on my way up, come on Duma."

"Ah not so fast." I signalled to Aliyah. "Take Kal to bed please."

"Of course sir."

"Now you, come here lets have a chat."

Ali sighed. "We just wanted to hang around for a while."

"Bud you know better than to do that. You disobeyed your mother and I. You know you're not suppose to be out here alone, much less with you little brother."

"But why? We were alone for five years, what difference does this make?" I felt my heart sink as he snapped back at me; he left me speechless.

"That is it you're grounded!"

"But—"

"No but's no discussions, go to your room we're having a very serious conversation tomorrow."

Ali rolled his eyes at me and walked away. I honestly couldn't believe what had just happened. Frustrated I dragged my feet back to my chambers. As I softly opened the door I heard Jasmine was singing Bella to sleep as she caressed her hair. The beautiful sight of them together immediately calmed me down. Quietly I approached my bed and plopped into it.

"What's that face?" Jasmine whispered to me as she placed Bella in the center of our bed.

I sighed. "Ali... he was out in the garden with Kal and Duma."

"What? Now? But it's late outside, what was he thinking?"

"I don't know..." I dozed off as his words repeated in my head.

"Hey? Everything alright babe?" Jasmine came up behind me and hugged my from behind. "You know you can talk to me." She smiled gently at me.

"I know, it's just he said something and I don't know... it's whatever I guess."

"Don't do that." She pouted.

"Do what?"

"Invalidate your feelings like that. I'm sure whatever it is it is not "whatever"." She mimicked me.

"He just said that he could be alone because he was alone all these years... I just wasn't expecting that from him." I turned to Jasmine. "It's alright I guess I mean, he has a right to feel that way."

"He does, they do... but they can't be disrespectful to us. We were there parents, we are their parents and at the end of the day we did what we did to protect them. I don't think they'll understand any time soon, but I hope eventually they will. It's just a matter of time; rebuilding what was lost takes a while, but it's never impossible."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

"I know I am, I always am." I couldn't help but chuckled as she raised her eyebrows at me. "Now come on let's sleep I'm tired."

"I wish we didn't have to sleep." I pressed my lips together as I looked at Bella. "But I can't say I'm mad either."

Jasmine giggled and laid down next to her. Delicately she took a glance at her. "She's such a beautiful sight. I'd give my world for her... for them." She said as she looked down at Bella.

"You and me both princess."

"You know it's so funny to me after all these years you still call me princess."

I shrugged my shoulders. "You are my princess, you're all my princesses. But you're my number one, always."

"I love you."

"I love you too, goodnight." I blew out the candle next to me. Instantly we all cuddled up to each other and fell peacefully asleep.

_____________________

Happy thanksgiving my loves!!!