Adopted by Scarlett Johansson

58.

"Clara wake up! Rose jumped onto Clara's bed. 'Hmm what is it? Sleepily Clara opened her eyes. 'Three guesses what day it is today.' Cried Rose. 'Monday? Gambled Clara. 'Also! It's Christmas today.' Jubilated Rose. 'Rose, I really love Christmas but it's half past seven in the morning.' Mumbled Clara. 'So? Shall we see if there are any presents under the tree yet?' Asked Rose.

'You go on ahead. I'll be right there.' Said Clara. 'No, you have to come with me. I'm not going to watch alone.' Said Rose. Clara sighed and Rose pulled the comforter off the bed. 'Hey.' Indignant, Clara looked at her sister. 'Come on.' Rose grabbed Clara's hand and she pulled her along. Reluctantly, Clara walked downstairs with Rose. Her bare feet hit the cold ground and she shivered.

Rose was not bothered by anything and ran happily down the stairs. They walked into the living room. In the corner of the room was a beautiful Christmas tree that they had all put up a few weeks ago. Rose had hung lots of baubles on it. There was a real Christmas atmosphere in the house.

Look at all the presents! cried Rose happily. She ran to the tree. Under the tree were all kinds of presents. Clara looked at the presents lying on the ground. There were an awful lot of them. Clara had also bought a present for everyone last week. They were not big presents but she hoped everyone would like them.

'Look how big the presents are.' Shouted Rose. She picked up one of the presents and she shook it back and forth. Clara watched as the girl impatiently picked up all the presents and rattled them, hoping to hear something. "Don't you like it? Asked Rose when she saw that Clara barely responded.

'Yes, but Christmas isn't all about presents.' Clara sat down on the sofa. 'Totally is. Didn't you see all the presents under the tree?' Rose pointed to the Christmas tree. 'Yes, but Christmas is all about being with your family. You get presents every year at Christmas but there are some kids who never get any. When I still lived in the orphanage I always got a second-hand cuddly toy and I was very happy with that.' Told Clara.

'Did you never get anything you wanted?' Asked Rose. She sat down next to Clara on the couch. 'Nope. Every year I hoped for a cool present. A PlayStation, captain America's shield, barbies, a new drawing pad. I made whole lists but I never got what I wanted. I always got a worn-out stuffed toy that had already belonged to another kid.' Told Clara.

Rose was silent for a moment and she looked at the presents. 'So what do you like about Christmas?' She looked at Clara questioningly. 'The coziness, eating together, playing games.' Listed Clara. 'Did you do that at the orphanage?' Rose asked. Clara nodded. 'That was always fun though. Some of the children were very fanatical when we played games.'

'We can play games too. We have twister, jenga, monopoly.' Rose listed all kinds of games. 'You don't have to if you don't like it though.' Said Clara. 'I do like it and I'm going to win at twister.' Said Rose with a big grin on her face. 'Then it's a good thing Chris isn't here today.' Chuckled Clara. 'Next time I'm just going to win over Chris though.' Said Rose confidently. Clara laughed. 'We'll see about that. I'll just go and change my clothes.' Clara got up from the couch and she walked towards her room.

In the hallway, she ran into Scarlett. Scarlett was wearing a very nice dress that she had bought especially for Christmas. 'That was a nice speech.' Said Scarlett, 'Did you overhear us?' Clara frowned. 'Not overheard. I just happened to be standing here.' Replied Scarlett, 'Yeah.' A small smile appeared on Clara's face. 'No but seriously Claar. You are absolutely right. Christmas is all about family and coziness. I'm glad you told your story to Rose. I hope she learned something from it.' Said Scarlett. Clara smiled. 'No problem.'

Clara walked to her room and from her closet she took out a dress. This was one of the dresses Elizabeth had bought for her when she came to live here. It was a black dress with glitter on it. Clara walked to the bathroom with it and she put the dress on. She thought it was incredibly cute.

Then Clara walked back downstairs. Scarlett was setting the table. "Can I help you with something? Clara asked. Scarlett looked up. 'Hey, you're wearing the dress that Chris and Lizzie picked out.' Said she enthusiastically. 'Yes I do. Do you like it? Asked Clara uncertainly. Scarlett nodded. 'It looks beautiful on you.' She complimented the girl.

'Good morning! Colin came walking into the kitchen. He was wearing a jacket. 'Good morning.' Said Clara and Scarlett in chorus. Colin sat down at the table. 'Where's Rose? Colin asked. 'Here!' Rose came running into the kitchen in her pink princess dress. 'Wow you're like a real princess now.' Said Colin. Rose was beaming from ear to ear.

'Hey Rosie, have you seen what's under the Christmas tree?' Scarlett asked. Rose nodded and they sat down at the table. 'Don't you want to take a look? Inquiringly, Scarlett looked at her daughter. 'No in a minute.' Answered Rose. 'You then Clara? Colin asked. 'After dinner.'

The four of them had breakfast and after breakfast they all walked to the Christmas tree. Everyone sat down on the ground. 'Look at this. This one is for you.' Colin grabbed a present from under the Christmas tree and he handed it to Clara.

'Can I open it?' Clara asked. 'Of course.' Replied Colin. Clara opened the package and inside was a beautiful watch. 'Wow Colin. Is this really for me?' She asked him. He nodded. 'I hope you like it.' He said. 'He's beautiful.' Replied Clara. 'Shall I put it on you?' Colin asked. 'Please.' Colin helped Clara put on the watch and meanwhile Scarlett picked up a present for Rose from under the Christmas tree.

'This one is for you Rose.' Said Scarlett. She handed the girl the package. 'I don't want anything.' Said Rose. 'What, why not? Surprised, Scarlett looked at her daughter. 'Clara told me that she used to only get a hug. I want to give my presents to kids who never get anything.'

'Rose, you don't have to do that just because I said so.' Said Clara. 'But I want to do it myself. I think it's sad that other kids never get anything.' Said Rose firmly. 'That's unfair, too. Maybe we should go shopping together for poor children sometime and give those presents to them? Suggested Scarlett. 'Will you do that? Asked Rose. 'Of course.' Scarlett nodded. Rose walked over to her mother and she gave her a hug. 'Thanks mom.'