Salaam everyone! I hope you enjoy this Skript, I've been working on it for awhile, and had a lot of fun with it :) It takes place before Captured Hearts!

Please vote and leave lots of comments <3

Dedicated to my dear friend saa_naleem! Make Du'aa that Allah swt makes everything easy on her <3 <3 <3

***

Yasmin: *calling from her and Adam's bedroom* Has anyone seen my silver bracelet? Jenna did you take it habibti?

Jenna: *calling from her room* No Mama! But has anyone seen my blue flowered dress? Maria, did you take it?

Maria: *calling from her room* No! But I can't find my black ballet slippers! Mama did you take them?

Yasmin: No habibti!

*The three of them convene in the hallway*

Jenna: I also just realized my black Coach purse is missing as well!

Maria: My favorite pink lip gloss is too!

Yasmin: So are my matching silver earrings.

Maria: Well this is annoying! Where's all of our stuff?

*The sound of the front door opening reaches them*

Emma: I'm home!

All of them in unison: Emma!

Emma: Salaam everyone!

Jenna: *appraising her sister in amusement* nice outfit Em.

Emma: *giving a twirl* Thanks!

*She's wearing Jenna's blue dress and holding her black bag. On her wrist is Yasmin's bracelet, and hanging from her ears are her matching earrings. On her feet are Maria's ballet slippers, and peeking out from the small pocket on her sweater is the pink lip gloss.*

Yasmin: Emma, did you ask anyone's permission before you took all of our stuff?

Emma: Uhhhh...

Yasmin: Emma! Aren't you getting a little too old for these kind of games?!

Emma: I didn't do anything!

Yasmin: *sighing* Just ask next time habibti okay?

Emma: Ookay!

Yasmin: *muttering to herself* Next time she pulls something like this, I might have to teach her a lesson she won't forget...

*LATER THAT NIGHT*

Yasmin: *Calling up the stairs* Emma! Come wash the dishes!

Emma: But Mama! It's Maria's turn!

Maria: *yelling from the family room* It is NOT!

Emma: It is SO! I did them last night!

Jenna: *yelling from her room* No! I did them last night!

Emma: Well I was supposed to do them last night!

Jenna: Exactly! You were supposed to but you asked me to do them because you said you were busy with laundry!

Muhsin: *calling from the living room* Hey! I did the laundry last night! She said she had to clean the bathrooms for Maria!

Maria: Hey! I did the bathrooms because Emma said she had to mop the kitchen floor!

Adam: I mopped the kitchen floor last night because Emma said she had to work on the garden for Mama!

Yasmin: Adam! We don't even have a garden!

*silence*

Yasmin: Emma! Did you do any chores last night!?

*longer silence*

Yasmin: Emma Grace Yousef, you get yourself downstairs RIGHT NOW!

*There is the sound of a door opening and closing, before Emma comes flying down the stairs*

Emma: *bouncing up onto her toes* Yes Mama?

Yasmin: Emma, it's not fair that you didn't do a single chore last night!

Emma: But I'm not good at it!

Yasmin: First of all, that is a horrible excuse, and second of all, even if it was somehow true, that sounds extremely spoiled, and no child of mine is going to get away with that! Third of all, I told you to stop playing these games! You are too old to be so manipulative! And because of that,  you are going to be doing everyone's chores for the entire weekend!

Adam/Muhsin/Jenna/Maria: Yay!

Yasmin: And, you will not be able to do a single fun thing or go anywhere this weekend until everything is done! And everything has to be done before the weekend is finished! That means Sunday at eleven fifty nine pm at the latest, and not a moment later!

Emma: *horror on her face* I have to do everyone's chores?!

Yasmin: Everyone's!

Adam: Now be reasonable Yasmin,

Emma: Thank you Baba!

Adam: If she cooks also, we will all die of food poisoning!

Emma: *stomping her foot as her siblings laugh* Baba! That's not fair!

Adam: *shrugging his shoulders* Sorry baby, don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

*EARLY THE NEXT SATURDAY MORNING*

*Emma is standing grumpily in the middle of the kitchen. It is seven in the morning. Everyone else in the house is sleeping, and she is staring at the previous night's dishes*

Emma: I don't wanna wash these! They're so gross! *she picks up the sponge, and stares at the dishes in disgust, before she throws the sponge back down* Mama said I had to finish all the chores by the end of the weekend! It's only Saturday morning! I have time!

*she skips happily up the stairs, and goes back to sleep*

*AT LUNCHTIME!*

*Yasmin is attempting to cook lunch with a sinkful of dishes*

Yasmin: Emma! Aren't you going to wash the dishes from last night and this morning?!

Emma: *calling back from where she is flung across the couch surfing Twitter and Facebook* I will Mama! I still have time!

Yasmin: Okay but they are just going to keep adding up until you have a mountain! And did you clean the bathrooms?

Emma: I still have time!

Yasmin: Did you vaccum?

Emma: I still have time!

*LATER THAT NIGHT!*

*The family is sitting around eating dinner*

Adam: Emma, don't forget you have to rake the leaves too

Emma: *taking a sip of her lemonade* I still have time!

Jenna: *in amusement* Things are starting to pile up. Mama said you have to finish everything before the weekend ends.

Maria: What happens if she doesn't finish it before midnight Sunday night Mama?

*Yasmin regards her middle daughter thoughtfully*

Yasmin: I hope we won't have to find out

Emma: *waving her hand dismissively* I still have time

Muhsin: Okay but don't forget that tomorrow is the day they pick up the recycling bins so you have to sort out the containers before taking them to the curb.

*Emma opens her mouth, but everyone else interrupts her before she can say anything*

Everyone: You've got time!

***

*SUNDAY AFTERNOON*

*Jenna and Maria come into the house holding shopping bags and giggling, and Emma sits up from where she had been sitting on the couch, staring up at the TV*

Emma: Where have you ladies been?

Jenna: Shopping of course.

Emma: *looking up at her sisters in confusion* What do you mean 'of course'? What for?

*Maria and Jenna share a glance*

Jenna: Um, we had to pick up last minute things for our outfits.

Emma: Outfits for what?

Maria: For the sisters graduation party

*Emma's face relaxes*

Emma: Oh, why'd you go today? You still have another week to shop.

*Yet another glance, but this one accompanied by sympathy*

Jenna: *softly* Emma, the party is today.

Emma: *jumping up from the couch in a shower of popcorn* WHAT?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

Maria: *dodging the buttery assault* Yes!

Emma: When does it start?!

Jenna: *looking at her watch* In about two hours!

Emma: No! No that's not possible! I don't have anything ready!

Maria: Well I'm sure you can get an outfit ready pretty quickly!

Jenna: *biting her lip anxiously* Actually, I don't think Mama is going to let her go.

Emma: *screeching* WHAT?! WHY?!

Jenna: You didn't finish your chores!

Emma: *her eyes wide in alarm* Mama wouldn't do that to me! *looking back and forth at her sisters skeptical faces* would she?!

Yasmin: *coming into the room followed by Adam* Mama wouldn't do what?

*All three girls spin around, looking at their mother wide eyed*

Yasmin: What's going on?

Jenna: Um, the sisters graduation party is tonight

Yasmin: Oh yeah! I remember!

Emma: Oh you did?

Yasmin: *nodding and smiling* Of course!

Emma: *returning her mother's smile* So I get to go too right?

Yasmin: *smiling bigger* Of course not!

Emma: *screeching at only dog hearing octaves* WHAT?! WHY MAMA?!

Yasmin: I warned you that you wouldn't be able to do anything this weekend if you didn't finish all of the chores, and you kept putting them off. That's not my fault.

Emma: But I forgot the party was today!

Yasmin: That's not my fault! You should have thought of that before you decided to behave like a little diva.

Emma: But I have to go!

Yasmin: But you aren't going to. Unless you can somehow finish everyone's chores in the next two hours, you aren't going. You had from Friday afternoon to finish them, and you didn't do a single thing.

Emma: *looking at Adam* Baba! Do something!

Adam: *giving a laugh* You dare to whine 'Baba' after your Mother has already given a decree? *he gives another booming laugh*

Yasmin: *laughing and gripping his chin in her hand, kissing his cheek* Smart man.

Emma: But...but...what am I supposed to do!? I'll be the only one not there!

Yasmin: I suggest you get started on the cleaning and maybe you'll be able to join in the post Facebook excitement.

*As her parents leave the room, Emma turns around, trying to get sympathy from her sisters, but they have already started edging their way up the stairs, trying not to make eye contact with her*

***

*Emma is at the sink washing the dishes, her face in a fierce scowl*

Emma: *rinsing the soap off of a plate* Dish one hundred and seventy two...*she pauses to place it on the dish rack* thousand...*she picks up another one and rinses it under the faucet* Dish one hundred and seventy three...thousand...annnnd a fork. Whew! *she turns off the water, takes off her rubber gloves, and throws them on the counter, glaring at the sink. She hadn't realized how many dishes her family went through. Somewhere in the back of her mind she had thought she would be able to knock out at least ninety percent of all of the chores in an hour, convince her Mom to let her finish everything else after the party, and then she could go. But by the time her sisters had left, looking fabulous of course, she had only cleaned the microwave, and was still working on the dishes*

Emma: *pulling up her sweaty hair into a tight bun* Okay, let me knock out this stupid oven. *she puts a different pair of gloves on, grabs the oven cleaner, and starts scrubbing. She has been cleaning for about five minutes when Adam comes in*

Adam: Emma, please go put Comet on the all of the sinks.

Emma: *her head in the oven still so there is a slight echo* I'm cleaning the oven Baba!

Adam: Okay, you can come back and clean it again, just put the Comet so it can soak for a little.

Emma: *sighing and standing up* Ookay.

Adam: *handing her the green can* Start with the kitchen sink, and put it on the counters in here too.

*Emma takes it from him, and starts to sprinkle the bleach around the sink when Yasmin walks in*

Yasmin: Emma, Baba and I are going to the Masjid for Quran class, then to the grocery store, and I expect you to continue working until everything is done. You can only stop to pray, eat a snack, and use the bathroom, and if we are not back by dinner time, you can eat dinner, there are some leftovers from lunch in the fridge.

Emma: If everything is done early, can I go to the party!?

Yasmin: I doubt you will finish early.

Emma: But if things are done early?

Yasmin: *regarding her daughter suspiciously* Why do you keep saying 'if everything is done early' instead of 'if I finish everything early'?

Emma: *avoiding her mother's gaze* I don't know what you mean Mama...

Yasmin: You aren't planning on bribing or paying someone to clean are you?

Emma: *mumbling under her breath* Darn!

Yasmin: Emma!

Emma: But what if someone suddenly appears and volunteers to help me clean!?

Yasmin: *putting a hand to her temple* Okay, fine. If someone suddenly appears and volunteers to help you clean...

Emma: Or suddenly appears and volunteers to pay to have someone clean?

Yasmin: *rolling her eyes* Or volunteers to pay to have someone clean, then that's fine. But you cannot call, text, message, tweet, WhatsApp, Snapchat, send a carrier pigeon or smoke signal, or anything else. It has to literally be someone showing up completely out of the blue without your knowledge!

Emma: *hopping up* Deal!

Yasmin: Alright, we're going to go. *she starts to leave, before she stops* Oh yeah, hurry up and go sort the recycling and take them out to the curb.

Emma: But Baba told me to put the Comet on the sinks and counters.

Yasmin: You can do that after, but they are going to pick up the bins in half an hour. Do it now please.

Emma: *stomping over to the bins as her Mother leaves the room, and saying in a mimicking voice* Clean the oven Cinderemma, wash the dishes Cinderemma...

Yasmin: *poking her head back in* Excuse me?

Emma: *bending over the blue bin* Nothing...

*A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER*

Emma: *sitting in the midst of a messy living room* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I AM NEVER GOING TO BE DONE! *she has been working for two hours straight, only taking a break to pray Asr, eat a small snack and change into lighter clothes. But she still has half her list left, and it doesn't seem like there is an end in sight. From Emma's side it seemed like her family was totally messy! But when every member of the family functioned as a unit, as a family should, then they worked as a well oiled machine, and she had failed to realize that when she had been lazy and had tricked everyone into doing everything for her*

Emma: This is never going to end! *she collapses against the ottoman, moaning and whining loudly*

Voice: Now cheer up Emma!

Emma: *looking up startled* Who said that?!

Voice: Over here!

*Emma looks over at the Minnie Mouse doll that the little girl her Mother babysat during the week had left on the couch, and her eyes widen in surprise* Did you say that?

Voice: Emma, don't be silly! Open the door!

*She tilts her head up, and her face lights up as she sees the face peeking in through the hallway window. She jumps to her feet, and throws open the door*

Emma: Khalo Haytham!

Haytham: *Throwing his arms open* Emma bean!

*Emma hugs her Uncle tightly, and he laughs, trying to make his way into the house with his niece clinging to him tightly*

Haytham: *laughing with a slight wheeze* Okay Emma, I can't breathe!

Emma: Khalo, what are you doing here?! I thought you were in Turkey for another month?!

Haytham: *setting his suitcases down next to the couch* That was the plan, but I decided to come home early!

Emma: *excitedly* Why?!

*Haytham's smile wavers slightly*

Haytham: Does it matter?

Emma: *hopping up* Yes!

Haytham: *running a hand through his hair, his mask of excitement slipping for a moment, before it returned just as fast* I missed you of course!

Emma: Yay! *she hugs her Uncle again, and he laughs, before looking around at the messy house*

Haytham: Where is everyone?

Emma: *instantly losing her smile, and pouting* They are all having fun without me!

Haytham: *plopping down onto the couch* How come?

Emma: Because Mama loves them more than me!

Haytham: *quirking an eyebrow at his niece* What did you do?

Emma: Hey! I didn't do anything!

Haytham: *sarcastically* Sure you didn't. *he rolls his eyes* I totally believe that. *he gives the seat cushion next to him a pat* Seriously, what?

Emma: *mumbling as she sits down next to him* I didn't finish my chores*

Haytham: Aw that's it? That sucks. Why wouldn't she let you finish after whatever it is you wanted to go to?

Emma: The sisters annual graduation party. And because, um, well because I had to do everyone's chores!

Haytham: Woah!

Emma: I know!

Haytham: That's insane!

Emma: I know! So not fair!

Haytham: What'd you do to get that punishment?

Emma: Hey!

Haytham: *laughing* Come on Emma, I've known you your whole life. When you were three you tried to convince me that Uncles existed for the sole purpose of buying their middle nieces presents!

*Emma laughs, before she tells her Uncle the whole story*

Haytham: *Thoughtfully* Hmm, so as I understand it, the rules of your agreement with your Mother is that if someone just happened to show up they could either help you clean, or pay for someone to help you clean, then you could go to the party right?

Emma: Right...*she slowly starts to smile as realization dawns on her* Yes...

Haytham: *grinning at his niece* How many hours before the party ends?

Emma: It ends at midnight.

Haytham: *looking at his watch* So there are still a good many hours left to get ready and get over there and have fun!

Emma: *clasping her hands to her face with a gasp* Oh Khalo, do you really mean it!?

Haytham: Of course! What else are Uncles for!?

*Emma jumps up and squeals, and gives her Uncle a bone crushing hug, before she comes to a halt, disappointment in her eyes*

Emma: Oh no.

Haytham: What's wrong?

Emma: I thought the party was next week, so I didn't get any outfit ready.

Haytham: *grinning* Well, lucky for you, your awesome Uncle just returned from Turkey where he happened to get your sisters and youuuuu *he draws out the letter 'U' while he opens one of his suitcases, rummages around, and pulls out a beautiful blue dress, matching bracelets and shoes*

*Emma squeals, grabs the items from her Uncle, and kisses his cheek*

Emma: Barak Allahu Feek Khalo! I'm going to go get dressed!

*As she dashes upstairs, Haytham gives a chuckle, before he pulls out his phone, and starts to look for cleaning services in the area*

*TWENTY MINUTES LATER*

*Emma comes dashing down the stairs looking like a beauty queen as she tugs on her new blue slippers*

Emma: Whew! That was the fastest I have ever gotten ready in my life!

*Haytham laughs*

Haytham: Well you look beautiful habibti!

Emma: *beaming* JazakillahuKhairan Khalo!

Haytham: So I just realized that you and the girls share a car right?

Emma: *nodding* Yup!

Haytham: So you're going to have to take my car. I would drive you myself, but the cleaning crew should be here any minute, and of course I will not leave them here by themselves. Your Mom is already going to be annoyed with me that I let you take advantage of her bargain, I don't think she will be too thrilled if I let her house get robbed also!

*Emma laughs, and takes the keys from her Uncle, before she goes to get her purse and shawl from the coat rack, looking out the front window as she dons her shawl*

Emma: Oh, I think the cleaning crew is here! *she wrinkles her nose* wow they have a really ugly car!

Haytham: *coming up beside her before laughing* Emma, that's my car!

Emma: Oh! *she laughs* Why'd you get such an ugly color?!

Haytham: *handing Emma her purse* It was the only one they had left at the rental place. It's called pumpkin orange.

Emma: I wonder why anyone would want a pumpkin car? *Haytham laughs again, and Emma grins* Okay well, I'm off! Thank you again Khalo! I feel like Cinderemma!

Haytham: *lifting an eyebrow* Cinderemma?

Emma: Of course! Cinderella, but even better! *she opens the door* I love you!

Haytham: Love you too Cinderemma! *he leans over and kisses her cheek, waving to her as she rushes down the walkway, and unlocks his car.*

*Once inside the car, Emma buckles up, fixes her mirrors, turns on the air conditioner, releases the brake, and is just about to drive away from the curb, when the cleaning services pull up to a stop on their street and she gives an appreciative laugh*

Emma: Now that is clever!

*For there is a light blue van, with a giant silver crown, and in pink lettering it reads, 'Happily Ever After Cleaning Services'*

***

:)

#StayAwesome