Adopted by Scarlett Johansson

23.

'Sorry it took so long. We got here as soon as we could.' Ashley gave Clara and Rose a hug. 'I'm sorry to bother you with this but Scarlett and Colin aren't home and I don't want to disturb them. It's the first time Rose and I have been home alone together.' Said Clara softly.

'It's okay sweetie. We're going to fix this.' Mary-Kate reassured the girl. 'How? I'm a criminal!' Exclaimed Rose. 'You're not a criminal.' Said Ashley. 'Totally are.' Sadly, she wrapped her arms around Mary-Kate. 'Shall we just go to the mall? We'll just explain the situation to the saleswoman.' Suggested Ashley. 'Good idea.' Agreed Mary-Kate.

'Do you think the salesgirl will be upset?' Asked Rose. 'I don't know dear. I don't think she's very happy but to find out we'll really have to go back.' Said Ashley.

*

'Is it this store?' Asked Mary-Kate. Clara and Rose nodded. 'Just give the purse to me and I'll do the talking.' Mary-Kate took the purse from Rose and they walked inside. The alarm went off and immediately a saleswoman walked up to them. She pulled the purse out of Mary-Kate's hands and looked at what was inside.

"Do you have a receipt for this? Asked the saleswoman. 'No I don't have a receipt, I'm a shoplifter.' Said Rose. 'You will laugh when I tell you this story. This little girl thought she could take it and not have to pay until later because of the flyer hanging there.' Told Ashley. 'Little kids.' Mary-Kate gently slapped Rose's head twice.

'It's kind of easy to blame little kids. Did you guys know that theft is a felony?' The saleswoman looked at Clara and Rose. 'Yes we do.' Said Clara softly. 'Rose didn't know what she was doing. It was a mistake and as soon as Clara found out they wanted to go back to the store and return it. You can't punish them.' Said Ashley. The woman looked at the children and then back at the twins. 'Are you their parents?' She asked.

Ashley and Mary-Kate simultaneously shook their heads. 'I'm going to call your parents.' Said the woman to Clara and Rose. 'Then can you ask for Colin?' Asked Rose. The woman raised her eyebrow and she walked over to the cash register. Clara looked at Rose who shrugged her shoulders. 'It was worth a try.'

They walked along to the checkout followed by Mary-Kate and Ashley. The saleswoman called to Scarlett and Colin. Tense, Clara and Rose waited for Colin and Scarlett to arrive. The saleswoman had said they were on their way to pick them up.

"Oh no hey. Exclaimed Ashley suddenly. 'What is it? Asked Clara. Everyone looked at Ashley. 'I think you'd rather not read this.' Said Ashley to Mary-Kate. She pulled a hard face. 'What, Ashley, what are you talking about? Mary-Kate grabbed Ashley's phone and she read the article Ashley had open.

'They think I'm a shoplifter. Also, someone just took a picture of us. How rude! Exclaimed Mary-Kate. 'But you're not a thief at all.' Said Rose. 'No, but everyone thinks so now. How am I ever going to get myself out of this situation?' Mary-Kate looked at her sister questioningly.

Silently, Clara followed the conversation. She felt bad. Rose had stolen a blouse for her, everyone thought Mary-Kate had stolen, and Ashley had driven them to the mall. Clara could already see herself flying into the cell along with Rose.

'Sweeties, are you all right? Scarlett came running into the store followed by Colin. First she hugged Rose and then Clara. Colin also gave the girls a hug. 'Are you guys okay? Scarlett repeated her question. 'Yes, it's my fault.' Said Rose. 'I read on the internet that Mary-Kate committed a theft.' Said Scarlett. She looked at Mary-Kate and Ashley who stood there uncomfortably.

'No, it was me. I thought it was free so I took it home. Mary-Kate and Ashley were sweet enough to take us back to the store.' Told Rose. 'I don't get it anymore. Why did you guys go to the store in the first place? I thought we had agreed to stay home with the doors locked.' Strictly Colin looked at the two girls.

'I had put Clara's blouse in the washing machine but when it came out it was suddenly much smaller. I wanted to buy a new blouse for Clarie.' Said Rose softly. 'Awh Rose. It's sweet of you that you wanted to help your sister but next time something like this happens you have to come to us first. That goes for you too Clara.' Scarlett looked at Clara.

'Why, we went with Chris to the mall. Chris had asked if we would like to go shopping with him.' Spoke Clara to her. 'Chris and shopping? Scarlett frowned. 'That was my fault too. I had asked Chris if he wanted to go shopping with us.' Said Rose. Scarlett sighed. 'You've got yourselves into quite a mess. I'd better go and talk to the salesgirl.' Scarlett and Colin walked over to the saleswoman.

After a while Colin and Scarlett returned. 'You're lucky they didn't press charges.' Said Scarlett, 'So I don't have to go to jail?' Cried Rose happily. 'No, you don't have to go to jail.' Said Colin shaking his head. ''Yes! Rose cheered.

'Come on, let's go home.' Said Scarlett, 'Are you coming too?' Colin asked the twins. Mary-Kate shook her head. 'I'm going to go home and have a nice time.' She said. 'Me too.' Replied Ashley. 'Okay too bad. Thank you so much for everything. I'll give you guys a call tonight.' Said Scarlett, 'Is good. Bye girls.' Ashley and Mary-Kate gave the girls a hug and then they left.

Colin, Scarlett, Clara and Rose also left in the direction of home. It had been a long day and they still had a long conversation ahead of them....