Jasmine quietly comes into her daughter's bedroom...She sits on the bed beside her...tucking a strand of hair behind her daughter's ear..."You should try to get some sleep..."

cant sleep, momma....

I know baby...but you need to try...I don't want you getting sick...

why are you wake then? I dont want you getting sick

Jasmine smiles softly...taking the books off her daughter and laying back on Aimee's bed..."Good point...come on...lay down..."

Ali lays down next to her mother as Sheba jumps up on the bed, snuggling in between them 

I know its a lot...but we are going to be ok...

I know...but it feels different...

Trust me...I know...I keep waiting to see him outside in the garden...or coming down the hall...

snuggles down into her pillow "momma? "

Yes baby?

closes her eyes, starting to fall asleep "dont leave, please"

I am right here baby girl...

Ali mutters as she falls asleep

Jasmine smiles softly as Ali falls to sleep...then snuggles down beside her...drifting off to sleep herself...

Its mid morning before Ali wakes up. She lays in bed, absently petting Rajesh's head as he lays it on the edge of the bed

Jasmine is out on the balcony...staring out at the city...a city she is now the Queen of...

gets out of bed and goes out to the balcony, standing next to her mother "momma?"

Jasmine turns as her daughter comes out onto the balcony..."Good morning darling..."

smiles softly "morning....im dreading today..."

Its not going to be easy...but we can get through it...

I suppose you are right...will daddy be around today?

He is with our advisors...preparing to be acknowledged as Sultan...

never thought that new law would go into effect so soon....are you going to be joining them?

He became Sultan as soon as Father died...Your grandfather made that very clear that your father was to be Sultan upon his death...

I had a feeling thats what grandfather was doing....you should be with daddy

I want to be with you first...

smiles "Im fine..more worried about you"

Jasmine wraps her arms around her child..."I know baby girl...I love you..."

I love you too...lets go get some breakfast

Jasmine smiles at her daughter...as the two head down to the main dining hall for breakfast...

they walk into the dining room and she looks around, feeling a stab of sadness 

Jasmine gently squeezes her daughter's hand...then gently guides her to sit down in the place Jasmine herself had formally occupied...as Jasmine takes her place beside her husband...

Ali sits uncomfortably in the chair, watching her parents

Dastan sits down beside her...not actually caring who would normally be assigned the seat...

glances over and smiles at him, surprised 

How are you holding up?

ok...I guess...

Did you get any sleep?

a few hours, after momma came in...

Well...I am glad you got some sleep...Liam and Callie were still sleeping when I left to come here...

you know you didnt have to come down here...

I know...but I figured you could use a friend...

thank you..I appreciate it...sleep well?

No...not really...Liam snores...

coughs to cover up a laugh "I thought all guys snore, and are you sure it wasnt your own snores that kept you awake"

I didn't sleep...so its wasn't mine...

you should get some sleep...can have a hammock put out on the balcony for you...nights are pretty warm here

I might actually take you up on that...sure beats smothering him with a pillow...

or a 500 pound tiger smothering him..." she says laughingly as Rajesh lifts his head and growls 

Either or...

snickers at his comment  "would you like me to send a hammock up to your room after breakfast?"

Aladdin watches the young adults, a slight frown on his face

Dastan smiles..."I think we can manage...and your dad is starting to get pissed...so I should take my leave..."

"oh...well...thank you for checking up on me" she says softy

Dastan gives her a gentle bow...before disappearing...

after he disappears, Ali looks over at her parents, and wonders why Dastan said that her dad was getting pissed, since he was smiling and talking softly with her mother