Author's Note: I know this is a little short, but I have been wanting to get this type of chapter in here. I hope you enjoy. Also, I know this is later than usual, and my Advent chapter will be a lot later. Today got busy, so I'm a little behind, but I will get day 23 up on the 23rd.
Celebrating Chanukkah – The Seventh Candle
"Are you ready?" Oliver asked, stepping out of his office. "I think we can call it a day."
Felicity shut down her computer and then she bit her lip. "Actually I was wondering…"
"What is it?" he asked as he perched on the corner of her desk.
She tapped her fingers for a moment. "Do you think the others would like to join us for lighting the candles tonight? I know it's mostly just been us, though Dig and Roy were there when you couldn't be, but I didn't want to invite anyone without talking to you first and I know it's kind of last minute-."
"Felicity." Her name on his lips always managed to help her reorient and center herself. He reached out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. "I like it. If that's what you want to do, then I'll give Thea a call, ask her to hold off going into Verdant."
"And Raisa," Felicity told him. "She's as much your family as anyone – she should be there if she wants."
They kept fairly strict rules about the levels of affection shown at work, but when she saw melting warmth enter his gaze when she spoke up on Raisa's behalf. He leaned forward and pressed a quick, hard kiss to her mouth. "Thank you," he replied in his quiet way. "I'll call Raisa as well."
Her smile grew radiant. "I'll call Roy and Dig…hopefully Lyla can come with Sara."
"I'm sure she will," Oliver replied. "I think she'll be happy you asked her to be part of it."
"She's part of Dig's life," she said. "And there's Sara. Plus she knows and wants to stand with us. She's A.R.G.U.S. first, I know, but I think she'd really like to be ours…you know, in the team, but she's kind of stuck."
"Maybe."
One more quick kiss and they separated to make their phone calls.
Later that evening they all gathered in the living room of the Queen mansion. "This is the second to the last night of Chanukkah," Felicity stated, looking around at the family and friends surrounding her, "and I wanted to share it with all of you." Her smile grew tremulous in the best way – from her joy. "Thank you for sharing this with me." Warm smiles encircled her and she turned towards the menorah.
Felicity lifted the Shamash, holding it so she could peer over it and meet Oliver's gaze. He flicked on the lighter and lit the candle. They shared a smile as the flame took hold and then she turned towards the menorah. Her voice remained soft as she explained the blessings to the women who had not yet been part of the ceremony. "Other than the blessings, there are no real prayers or anything for you to worry about," she told them. "I tend to observe a moment of silence to give thanks for something good in the past or to hope for something better in the future."
"What do you think tonight's will be?" Thea asked with an almost childlike curiosity entering into the young woman's voice.
Felicity considered the question and then she looked around. "Both," she replied. "Tonight it will be both. A few months ago we would have shaken our heads at the idea of all of us standing here in the same room together, but tonight – here we are, still with our differences, but standing united. That is where the gratitude comes in, why I will be giving thanks."
"And the hope?" Lyla inquired, hoisting Sara a little higher on her shoulder.
"The hope that we will do again sometime soon," Felicity told her. "I'd like to see us do this one day – gather as a whole without needing a reason. Gathering…just because – no holiday, no emergency, no big event…just simply because we felt like it." At her words, people exchanged looks or traded smiles. "Actually…if you'd like…" Her voice trailed off and she glanced around.
"What is it?" Oliver asked as his eyes grew alight with curiosity.
"This is the night of the seventh candle, and there are seven of us here…well, seven plus Sara," she corrected herself. "I know Thanksgiving was…busy and this isn't how I've ever heard of someone doing things, but maybe each of you might take a candle? You don't have to say anything out loud, but-."
"I like it," Thea interrupted in a quiet voice. The others nodded.
"Sounds good," Oliver told Felicity as he nodded to his sister. "You first, then Raisa, Thea, Lyla, Dig, Roy, and me."
"Okay," Felicity smiled up at him. "Great!" She continued. "Once I've given the blessings, they'll need to burn for an hour. The candles will go out on their own."
"Do not worry, Miss Felicity," Raisa assured her. "I will keep watch. The candles will burn as long as they need to while you go. I have some little things to finish and I can work here as well as anywhere."
"Raisa," Oliver protested, "you don't have to work past-."
"Not that kind of work, Mr. Oliver," she shook her head. "Christmas is almost here and I must finish. I will watch Miss Felicity's candles while I do." The older woman reached out and patted Felicity's arm. "It will give me great pleasure to do this."
"Thank you, Raisa." Felicity gave her a bright smile before she turned to the menorah. Taking a deep breath she let her voice fall into the chanting cadence.
"Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu
l'had'lik neir shel Chanukkah.
Amein."
"Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh.
Amein."
She reached out, lighting the candle on the left. "For all of us being together."
Raisa stepped up and Felicity handed her the white candle. "For my babies," she smiled at Oliver and Thea. Then she lit the second candle and her smile deepened as her gaze moved to take in the rest of the room. "Including all of the new ones."
The room grew brighter with laughter even as Thea moved forward. She accepted the candle and thought for a long moment before she lit her candle. "For second chances." Her eyes met Felicity's for a moment before moving to Roy's. Then she handed off the candle.
As Lyla accepted it, Thea stepped over and gave her brother a quick hug. He returned it and tears sprang to Felicity's eyes as she watched the siblings sharing their moment. Lyla watched them for a moment as well before she looked at Dig and then glanced down to Sara. "For our hope in the future," she said as she lit her candle.
Sara gurgled as her daddy kissed the top of her head when he took the candle from her mama. Dig met Lyla's eyes and whatever she saw had her giving a quick nod. He turned to the menorah, but then glanced at Oliver, Felicity, and Roy. "For those willing to share the burdens."
Roy hung back, his hands in his pockets as he stared at the candle Dig held out to him. Neither man wavered and Felicity opened her mouth to tell Roy he didn't have to do anything he didn't want to, but Oliver's hand came down on her shoulder and she waited. After a couple of minutes he reached out and took it. "For those who don't give up."
Oliver took the candle, his free hand moving to rest briefly on the younger man's shoulder. As Oliver turned to the menorah, Roy shifted over to stand beside Felicity. She gave him a supportive smile before focusing on the man standing before the last of the unlit candles. Oliver reached out and drew Felicity to his side before moving to touch the flame to the wick. "For family."
