Traditions

((Author's Note: Hey everyone! Enjoy this sweet yet smutty Flip celebrating Hanukkah with his babygirl <3 ))

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When you awaken that winter morning, you find that Flip has already left for work. If you're being honest, you're glad he's on the early shift, it gives you more time to prepare. You smile to yourself, excited for the surprises you have planned for tonight...

The first night of Hanukkah.

You're sure that Flip doesn't even realize the date, but it doesn't matter cause you're doing all of this for him.

After going undercover to infiltrate the KKK, he's been more drawn to his heritage, though he hasn't allowed himself to fully dive in.

You know it's because he feels unworthy...

After a lifetime of feeling indifferent about being Jewish, he feels like he's intruding on something that should have been close to his heart from the start.

What right did he have to his Jewish roots when others had sacrificed, bled, and stood proudly for them?

But to you, there's no right or wrong way for one to experience their religion. Just because Flip hadn't grown up going to temple or having a bar mitzvah didn't mean he didn't have a right to the Jewish religion now.

That's why you'd done research at the library and the local temple, reading up and asking a rabbi for advice on properly celebrating Hanukkah.

You wanted to give Flip this, wanted him to feel comfortable to explore this part of himself. Especially with you.

And perhaps, if tonight went well, it would lead to the two of you celebrating Hanukkah again next year.

You had done everything in your power to ensure that nothing would get in the way of that. Starting off with ensuring that Flip wouldn't get stuck working late. A quick call to the chief informing him that not allowing one of his detectives to observe a religious holiday would probably sound really bad to a union representative had sealed that deal.

The chief had claimed to enjoy your "spunk" in calling him behind Flip's back, but either way, he promised to send "your lover boy" home at a decent time.

Now came the fun part...decorating and cooking.

You hop out of bed and quickly wash up to prepare for the day before heading downstairs. There's a lot to get done and you're a mix of nervous and excited.

Excited to see his reaction, but nervous to screw things up. You've never cooked these recipes before. What if they turn out horrible?

You try to shake off your nerves. They won't stop you now. You would do your best for him and that was it.

The first thing you work on is making the dough for the challah bread since it has to rise multiple times before it can be braided and then baked. At least...that's what the recipe book said. You say a silent prayer before setting the dough to the side to rise, and then you get to work on a less nerve-wracking task—decorating the house.

You hang long white fairy lights along some of the walls, drape blue tinsel over the fireplace mantel, and lay out Hanukkah-themed table runners along the coffee and kitchen tables.

But you don't stop there.

Multiple candy bowls filled with chocolate gelt and dreidels are placed around the living room, knowing that Flip has a secret sweet tooth. You still aren't fully clear on the rules of spinning dreidels but you're certain the both of you could figure it out. That or just enjoy munching on chocolate.

Either way, that isn't the most important part of tonight.

After your conversation with the rabbi, you learned that menorahs are usually passed down through families and generations. Knowing that wasn't an option, you had searched every antique shop in town until you found something perfect—a beautiful brass menorah with the Star of David under the middle candle.

You polish it until it shined and place it in the center of the coffee table with white candles. With the rabbi's help, you had written out the prayer that is traditionally read while lighting a candle each night. Alongside the prayer is a yarmulke, in case Flip wants to wear it.

With the decorating done, you head back into the kitchen to start on dinner. Following along with the cookbook you borrowed from the library, you fry potato pancakes, otherwise known as latkes, roast potatoes, prep the brisket for the oven, and braid the challah dough.

It isn't long until the entire downstairs is filled with the most wondrous smells.

You're more excited now, certain that the smells are a good sign that the food will be equally delicious.

Knowing you don't have much longer before Flip gets home, you head upstairs to change. You want to look good but not overly fancy, so you decide on a simple black knee-length skirt with a soft, white cashmere sweater, and black, heeled boots. Pleased with how you look, you head back downstairs to finish everything up.

You end up cooking until the very last minute, barely having time to plate all of the food before the sound of Flip's car turning into the driveway.

"Shit!" you curse and hurry to put everything out on the kitchen table along with the good china plates and a bottle of wine.

The front door opens and you freeze in your spot, wanting him to find the surprise on his own. You listen to the sounds of him making his way inside, taking off his boots and jacket before setting them aside in the hallway closet.

He calls your name...

Tells you he's home...

Comments on how amazing dinner smells...

Then his breath catches in his throat and all goes silent.

Flip stands in the entryway of the living room, taking in the scene before him.

The room is basked in a romantic, and yet inviting, glow, from the lights to the menorah and the other decorations.

He stands there, jaw slack and too stunned to speak.

What a lucky bastard he is.

"Sweetheart? Get in 'ere!"

You do as you're told without hesitation, but the minute he sees you, he wraps you in his arms.

"Babygirl, did you really do this all for me?"

You smile up at him and nod. "Happy Hanukkah!"

If you wanted to say more, it's cut off by his kiss. It's passionate, fiery, and all the things you love about him.

"Wait, Flip! Wait!" you protest against his mouth in between giggles. "I have more to show you!"

He chuckles in amusement and releases you from his hold but instead takes your hand. "Alright, alright. I'll behave."

"Good! Now, come on." You take him into the kitchen and show him all the food you've made. "I followed the Jewish cookbook I got from the library exactly, so hopefully everything tastes good!"

Flip cocks a brow in surprise. "They actually make Jewish cookbooks?"