Jamie Ramsey: Voiced by Max Brooks (Howard Groote, Batman Beyond)
Mr. Joel Ramsey: Voiced by Bob Hasting (Commissioner Gordon, Batman TAS)
Mrs. Jezebel Ramsey: Voiced by Kyra Sedgwick (Batwoman, The Mystery of Batwoman)
Ruben Ramsey: Voiced by Rider Strong (Shawn Hunter, Boy Meets World)
The kitchen was filled with the comforting scents of fried latkes and freshly baked sufganiyot. It was the first shared holiday across dimensions with Sam and Jamie, newly soul-bonded friends. After saving the world, celebrating was the perfect way to get to know each other.
Sam stood by the stove, carefully flipping a latke as her grandpa once taught her. Jamie sat at the nearby table and fiddled with a dreidel while waiting for his sufganiyot donuts to finish in the oven.
It was the first night of Hanukkah, and while Sam had already celebrated it countless times, there was something extra special about celebrating it in Jamie's home with both their families. As they cooked, they shared lighthearted conversation over the muffled chatter from the living room.
Sam's parents, Jeremy and Pam, had already stricken it off with Jamie's family in the nearby room. Jeremy, his messy blond hair neatly combed, wore a tailored suit that screamed old-school class. He was discussing golf with Jamie's father, Joel, whose polished shoes and medium height made him a perfect match for Jeremy's upper-crust vibe.
Pam, her striking red hair done in vintage curls, wore a soft pink dress, adding her own touch of retro glam to the room. She laughed with Jamie's mother, Jezebel Ramsey, who looked elegant in her periwinkle business suit, making small talk about running, photography, and their shared love of HGTV. Meanwhile, Ruben, Jamie's 13-year-old adopted brother, quietly set up a small pile of gifts for later. The chatter, the smells, and the shared sense of tradition enveloped the house like the warmth of the candles they were about to light.
"You ready for the candle lighting?" Sam asked as she walked over to Jamie, who was still absentmindedly spinning the dreidel. Finally, her latkes were done and ready to serve.
Jamie grinned, but there was a reflective edge to his smile. "Yeah. It's kind of crazy, you know? Celebrating with you guys feels different. I don't think I've ever had this many people around for Hanukkah."
Sam walked over and sat beside him, absentmindedly blowing a strand of black hair out of her eyes. "Yeah, it's different when so many people are here. I have a feeling this won't be the last time, either. My parents were very excited to meet my new friend's family over Hanukkah." Sam winked.
"Yeah," Jamie laughed along. Their families didn't know much, specifically with their involvement in the world of ghosts. But luckily, they were off the hook for tonight.
They faded into comfortable silence. Jamie's expression softened, his mind clearly drifting to the past. Though his family had been in America for decades, they'd changed their last name during WWII to protect themselves, and it had created a distance between them and their heritage. The traditions were there, but the stories, the memories, weren't always openly spoken about.
On the other hand, Sam's family had plenty of family stories and memories to go around. They had all of the recipes and transitions passed down for generations. Jamie couldn't help but feel a little jealous of that.
Before they could say anything more, her father, Jeremy, called from the living room. "Sam! It's time to light the menorah!"
They hurried to join their families, who were already gathered around the beautifully lit menorah in the window. Sam's grandmother, a strong woman with a gentle voice, smiled as she watched Sam and Jamie prepare to light the candles.
"Baruch atah adonai, eloheinu melech ha'olam…" Sam said softly, lighting the first candle. Jamie joined her, his voice strong but steady as they recited the blessings together.
"Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe…" Jamie added.
The soft light of the menorah bathed the room in a gentle glow, a reminder of the centuries of tradition passed down through generations. For a brief moment, the noise of the world outside seemed to quiet as they all shared in the sacred ritual.
Sam's grandmother, her silver hair neatly pulled back, beamed at them both. "Beautiful. You two are getting the hang of it."
Jamie smiled, though it was clear there was a deeper emotion in his eyes. He could feel the weight of the years, the quiet resilience of his grandparents' choice to leave behind their original name, to survive, and still honor their roots in secret. "I guess some traditions don't need to be loud to be powerful," he said quietly, glancing at his family.
Sensing the gravity of his words, Sam gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Exactly."
As the evening went on, Jamie's mother, Mrs. Jezebel Ramsey, brought out golden and crisp plates of freshly made latkes with applesauce on the side. Ruben immediately began helping himself to several while Sam sat beside Jamie and shared her own plate.
Jamie's father, Joel, looked at Sam's family with appreciation. "I am grateful for our gathering tonight and that your family has welcomed us into your traditions," he said with a soft smile, his gray eyes sincere. "It's been a long time since we've had this community."
Sam's dad, Jeremy, who had been listening intently, nodded, a rare moment of sincerity softening his usually composed features. "We've always been family in a way. You just get to keep your name now."
The families spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. The menorah candles flickered in the background as Jamie, Sam, and the others continued their celebration.
As the night drew to a close, Jamie reflected on the day. He'd always known Hanukkah as a time for family and tradition, but tonight felt different. Tonight, it felt like a shared experience, a way of keeping the past alive in the present, no matter how much of it remained unsaid.
Later, as the families began to say their goodbyes, Jamie and Sam lingered for a moment near the door.
"It wasn't as bad as I thought," Jamie said with a grin, nudging Sam with his elbow.
Sam rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you'll survive. But hey, don't get too used to it."
"Don't worry," Jamie said, his voice more serious than before. "I won't. But I'll keep the latkes on the menu for next year."
As the door closed behind them, they stood outside momentarily, looking at the soft glow of the menorah's light fading through the window.
It wasn't about the gathering size or the celebration's loudness for Jamie. It was about the quiet strength of keeping traditions alive. And for once, he felt he didn't have to carry the weight of those traditions alone.