#laura day

[storyofmychoices]

Flickers of Hope

[Levi Schuler x Laura Day Masterlist]

Characters: Levi Schuler, Lily Day (daughter) Book: Mother of the Year [Levi x F!MC] Rating/Warnings: General, no warnings but mentions of the war Word Count: >700 Tagging: Hannukah / Holiday for @choicesdecember2023; @choicesholidays ; @choicesficwriterscreations

Synopsis: Levi and Lily celebrate Hanukkah, despite some reluctance.

I can't thank the incredible ArtByAinna (IG) enough for this heartfelt and beautiful art.

A/N: Last year, I decided to get art of Levi for Hanukkah, but with everything happening, it felt disingenuous for Levi to celebrate cheerfully this year. I don't feel he is that kind of person. To me, he is someone who would despise what is going on and have deep empathy for all suffering. So I was grateful to Ainna for working with me to make a Hanukkah piece that while they're still celebrating, they're doing so with a heavy heart. I hope the fic shows this as well.

As she let herself in from school, Lily moved through the familiar rooms of their home with purpose. She glanced around the usual spot where the menorah stood proudly in anticipation of Hanukkah’s arrival, but it wasn’t there. Her brow furrowed in confusion. She had noticed its absences in the previous days leading up to today, but she reasoned that perhaps Levi had decided to keep it tucked away to keep the menorah safe from her younger brother Lucas, whose curious hands tended to explore anything within reach. But, today was the start of Hanukkah, and the menorah was still not on display. Sunset would be approaching soon. 

Lily carefully went through the closet, sifting through a few boxes before finding the right one. Her fingertips brushed over the cool metal menorah as she delicately pulled it from its container. With tender care, Lily placed the menorah on the table near a big window. This way, all could see its light.

With the menorah finally set, Lily gleefully sought out Levi, her steps brimming with excitement to showcase her efforts. "I found something you seemed to have forgotten!" She smiled, nudging his attention toward the menorah. "But don't worry, I know Lucas's terrible twos are keeping everyone busy, so I got you covered, Dad." 

Levi managed a half-hearted smile. "I didn't forget. I was thinking about skipping this year."

"Skipping it? Hanukkah?" Lily's voice raised with curious concern. "Why would you do that?"

"It's really only a minor religious holiday—" His hand rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Besides the latkes... it's not as important as some of the other days. And with Lucas... and Christmas..." 

His words trailed away. He knew none of the reasons he rambled off had anything to do with the true reason he was hesitant to celebrate this year. His heart broke for those caught in the ongoing fighting taking place. He felt guilty celebrating with all that was going on when so much had been lost, and so many lives had been taken. There were no victors in war, only losses. And the toll this war had already taken was too much. He mourned the unnecessary bloodshed and the lives that were forever changed. He didn't know how lighting a candle was going to help anyone.

Her small hand slipped into his, offering a gentle squeeze. She knew without needing to hear it. She had seen his pain over the past several weeks. The horrors the news showed. "Maybe now is exactly the time to celebrate Hanukkah," Lily offered softly, her eyes meeting his with bright compassion. "Didn't you once tell me Hanukkah was about light triumphing over darkness and about spreading hope? I think the world could use a little more hope, especially right now. Don't you?"

He wrapped his arm lovingly around his daughter. He knew she was the most brilliant child he had ever met, and yet she still surprised him. Her kindness, empathy, and, most of all, hope for a brighter tomorrow were something the world could do with a little more of.

He swallowed hard, holding back the tears that threatened to form in his eyes. "I think you might be right, Rocket."

"I usually am," she teased, hugging him back. "We can do it together."

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

Once the sun set beyond the horizon, Lily placed the first of the candles in its holder. Together, she and Levi recited the first two Hanukkah blessings. As Lily held the shamash candle, Levi carefully lit it. Together, they gently guided the helper candle to light the candle all the way to the right on the menorah and recited the third blessing. A somber tone filled their voices, knowing that while they were thanking God for keeping them alive and sustained, that sentiment couldn't be shared by all. They added their own fourth blessing: a prayer, a hope for peace for those living in turmoil.

Levi held his daughter lovingly in his arms as they watched the flickering flames of two small candles cast light around them. Even though they were only two, they still had the power to make a difference, and tonight they would focus on that. They would hope for better days and cherish what they had for as long as they could, vowing to carry the flame of hope with them through any darkness yet to come.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found this to be a good representation of Levi and what he might be experiencing and feeling at this time!

Happy Hanukkah to all those who are celebrating!

(oh, and I finally named Levi and Laura's son Lucas, keeping with the L theme!)

[saturnvs]

two headed calf and his mother

[i-did-it-all-for-the-nookie]

“love is in the air” wrong! nerve gas

[slutforpringles]

Laura Winter's introduction on F1TV discussing, in light of the difficulties raised by recent events for women in the paddock/industry, the importance of female representation within F1 and wider motorsports in general.

[laurasbailey]

ONE CRITICAL ROLE SCENE PER EPISODE C2E5: The Open Road

[frogenthusiastt]

when i get my hands on Liam O'Brien i'm making him pay all my therapy bills

like. LIKE. look at his face. the sudden surprise as jester invades his space and proceeds to RUTHLESSLY unravel and acknowledge his pain after the traumatic events of the day, the way he's so carefully tucked away all emotions and tried to move on without worrying the group. look how quickly the layers all crumble away, how emotional and vulnerable and small he looks, how for a second we see Caleb Widogast without all his layers. if i had any power at all to do so i would give this man a thousand oscars and then ask for a milion dollars to compensate for the emotional damage he has wrought me

[crowley1990]

It’s December so everyone put in the tags what your favourite book(s) you read this year is (are)

[natsuluna]

[pedro-pascal]

#the man was too stunned to speak

FOUNDATION #02.09

[leonardcohenofficial]

the more i rewatch twin peaks i am reminded more and more that albert rosenfield (and to a lesser extent bobby briggs, though he doesn’t quite articulate it as clearly as albert with the exception of him breaking down at laura’s funeral) is THE only character to recognize laura’s death for what it was—completely avoidable, unromantic, and caused by human evil that nobody recognized the signs of or did anything to stop

[storyofmychoices]

Hello. Do your characters watch holiday movies together? Which ones, if they do?

Hi, @choicesasknonnie,

Thank you for the ask! I had fun with this.

Olivia and Bryce enjoy watching Hallmark Movies. Olivia enjoys the stories, even if they're cheesy. She likes the romance and seeing the characters grow together. However, she also takes it a little to seriously. She says she watches them to relax and unwind because they're "easy viewing" and don't require her to be super focused, but she ends up being super engaged and yelling at the tv when there are misunderstandings that cause the characters to drift apart. She ends up crying when the leads reunite. Bryce enjoys watching Olivia, watch the movies. He loves her passion and how invested she becomes in them.

Bryce enjoys more comedic Christmas movies like Elf, Home Alone, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and Spirited.

Lilah introduced Trystan to Home Alone, which they both enjoy watching, and rewatching. Lilah isn't into the romantic Christmas films so this is definitely her favorite. She also likes Die Hard, and while it might not be a Christmas movie, she will always insist that it should be. Trystan loves teasing her about it, especially since their lives are filled with enough excitement and adventure. She also enjoys The Thin Man Series.

Laura and Levi enjoy Love Actually both appreciate the cast, the story, the humor, and of course the love. Lily enjoys The Grinch (with Benedict Cumberbatch), Elf, and Polar Express. Levi and Laura love watching those movies with their girl!

Alex and Thomas really enjoy classic films. Alex enjoys the romance and the heart of the stories, Thomas enjoys the signficance of the films and storytelling, including It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. However, Alex also has a soft spot for Edward Scissorhands, which Thomas enjoys as well.

Mal and Daenarya don't have movies, but I think they'd both love nonconventional christmas movies like Nightmare before Christmas, Gremlins, and Krampus.

[ritahayworrth]

Police were there on Saturday. There was no one in the house. Oh, yes. Saturday, I took a long walk. I walked for hours in the woods. LAURA (1944) dir. Otto Preminger

[vakarians-babe]

Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.

[current-comix]

Mike Mayhew

[harundraws]

may i offer a YJ doodle dump in these trying times?

[blue-nebraska]

my submission for the @countdowntotwinpeaks WONDERFULXSTRANGE exchange, drawn for @sagapocalypse1 🖤 Cooper (as a cooper's hawk) guiding Laura through the night. Happy Twin Peaks Day!

(linework version + ID under the cut)

ID: A black ink drawing of Laura Palmer in a black dress, reaching out to a Cooper's Hawk flying above her. The backdrop is a blend of the Black Lodge zig zag floor and red drapes, and pine trees and a starry night sky. To the right is a sycamore tree and a six pointed star beneath it.