An aging overweight man who plays too much online gaming receives a gift from Freya, the
goddess of love, lust, beauty, sorcery, fertility, gold, war and death.

Freya's Gift

Chapter 35: Christmas

Mom answers, "No, child, and don't ever say that out loud, my cousin has no humor when it comes to our comparison. But
thank you for the thought. Now daughter, you and your's must look after Seraphina until she can get a chance to find
herself."

I nod, "Of course mother, we would anyway. She is Gloria's family and that makes her part of mine too. Sera will want for
nothing. And maybe she can help with information on Loki, we can only hope."

She smiles down at me, "Yes Freya, that is the way it always is. We didn't get Loki, but we took away his chief
commander, and that is very important. He may try something foolish to put his plans back on schedule." She kisses my
forehead, "I must go now child, take care, and remember, mother loves you!"

I tear up a little, "Bye momma, we love you too!" Nothing left to do but face the consequences.

I turn, with my family and face the crowd gathered. Someone in back yells out, "So, are we going to finish this or what?"
People start asking the same thing close to us.

I'm not sure of what is actually happening and I ask, "Do you still want us to shoot knowing the truth?"

Everyone says yes, when Helen and Richard step forward, Helen says, "I think it's safe to say, that no one is going to
feel you are cheating just because you are half elf, traditionally believed to be among the best of archers." Turning to
look at the crowd, "Am I right people, are you going to treat Freya any different now that you know HER whole story. You
know she would do anything to help any person here. Will you keep her secret? Until she decides to tell the world
herself?" The last said nearly as a scream.

As if one, everyone screams out yes. I start to cry, feeling the love radiating from them all. My family smiles, their
thanks, as Helen wraps me in her arms.

When all is calm again, I ask Sera, "Are you going to shoot, you've earned the right."

She stands with Gloria's arms around her, "Thank you, but no. About all I remember from before, is which end of the arrow
goes on the string, so I'll concede, if that's okay?"

I smile, "Of coarse." I turn to the others, "Are you ready? Bruce, you shoot first, then me then the kids, okay?"

He nods, "If that's what you want, I'm good with it. And since this is a charity event, I will donate any winnings back
to the charity and match the first place prize money as part of the donation." Cheers from all around.

I say, "That is a marvelous idea Bruce, and one I'll match." Again a round of approval, "What's more, I will cover the
same for Katie and Austin." The crowd goes completely mental.

Bruce smiles, whispering to me, "If I win, am I going to see you naked again?"

I whisper back, "If you win, I'm going to fuck your brains out while you watch Jimmy do the same to Jo-Jo with Lauren
licking her nipples and fingering her clit." Smiling devilishly at him. The look on his face was one of pure lust and
anticipation.

We lined up for the shot. Bruce nails dead center of the x. Next I shoot, putting my arrow right into the back of his
pushing it through the target. Austin then does the same to mine, and Katie does it to his. Only one arrow in the target.
We shoot over, Bruce nails the x, hitting the same hole as before. I shoot, and let it drop just enough to slide in next
to his. Austin and Katie follow suit, showing their skill while still giving it to Bruce.

Everyone cheers for Bruce, but he is a little angry, I smile and say, "Oops, I guess you win, huh?" Covering my lips with
my fingers acting all coquettish. Suddenly Bruce smiles wide.

He says, "Why you little minx, I think you deserve a spanking for that!"

I laugh, "Oh please, not a spanking." Now everyone is laughing so hard they're almost in tears.

In the end, everyone who was going to receive any prize money donated it back to the charity. With entry fees, the shoot
ended up netting almost $75k in donations. Everyone left very happy.

***********************************************

The next morning I rise with the sun as was my usual routine. I head for the bath to clean up from our marathon
sexcapades of the evening before. Soaking in the pool, remembering how the poor boys had been worn out early, leaving us
girls to fend for each other, over and over again. The boys finally made a come back and we all ended up thoroughly
sated. Lauren and Jolene joined me soon after to luxuriate in the water with me.

Jolene was radiant this morning and we commented on it. She explained how growing up, she had been an only child of
parents that really were never there for her, mostly leaving her to her own devices. The one thing in the world she
wanted was to be part of a large family, and now that she was, she was truly happy for the first time since her marriage
to Bruce.

Speaking of Bruce, he and Jimmy finally got up out of bed and came to join the rest of us. After talking for awhile, I
asked Bruce and Jolene, "So, what do you two want to do now, I mean about living arrangements and work?"

Bruce says, "Do you mean, do we want to move here? If that's an option, we would definitely like to move here. I just
don't want to have to lose all my good people I have working for me now. And I don't want them to look for other jobs.
Most of them are my friends too. What do you three suggest to do?"

Jimmy looks to Lauren and me, then, "Bruce we can understand that. But why close up shop in San Diego, when you can
expand by starting a second operation here in Eugene? The construction industry here is very good now and we could use a
great company like yours in this town."

I add, "I'm sure you have people you trust that can run the southern operation, since it's already established and a
going concern. So all you need to do, is move a few key people here with the new start-up to get things going."

Lauren then says, "I'm sure that Edith and Stan would allow you to build a few small homes on their property by the shops
to use for your people and showcase your work. How many people do you think you need to move up here to start?"

Bruce smiles, "That's easy, Nate and Dave are my core people, so just their families. You really think that Edith and
Stan would allow us to build two small houses?"

Lauren nods, "I sure of it, but we'll go see them after breakfast anyway."

With that, we got out and started on making breakfast. Bruce teases, complains that there is no coffee, "Can't you guys
get some coffee, even for me? I mean Jo-Jo is fine with the tea like the rest of you, but sometimes my mind won't start
to work without my morning coffee."

Jimmy laughs, "Bruce, I used to think the same thing too, but now, I prefer tea since it doesn't leave me so jacked-up,
and I can actually think clearer. But if you really want coffee, I'm sure we can do something about it easily."

Bruce laughs at himself, "No, don't bother, I know what you mean, Jo-Jo has been trying to get me to cut back. Too much
caffeine, she says I'll live longer without it."

"Bruce, " I say, "that's one thing you'll never worry about again, mother will see to it your very healthy and stay that
way. Both of you that is, because of the magic." Then thinking of full disclosure, "It's kind of why you guys are having
triplets."

The two of them looked confused. Before they can ask, Jimmy says, "Bruce, you remember our boys night out before you got
married? Well, Austin and I kind of put some extra potency into you, because of you saying that Jolene was afraid she
wouldn't be able to have children. And we wanted you two to be happy. We found out later that the girls did the same
thing to Jolene as we did to you. Double whammy. Hope you're not too upset with us?"

Bruce holds Jolene as she starts to cry softly, some tears come to his eyes too, "You did that for us, really? You care
that much about others to do something so wonderful. We were afraid we would have to adopt children, cause we both love
them so much. That proves you are the right people for us make a family with!"

The rest of the family had joined us, for the end of our discussion, leading to lots of hugs and kisses. What had started
out as me alone in this magnificent house, was now a home for sixteen loving people. Bless the goddess!

***********************************************

With the day started, some of us head to Mom and Pops for a second cup of good morning. Bruce feels relieved to finally
get his coffee. All quiet from what Edith shares of the morning traffic. Now, since some might wonder, those of us that
play Tera and work only do it for the pleasure it brings us. That leaves Edith watching over the cafe, Darla runs things,
with Bobby and Sara doing the cooking and whatnot. Stan enjoys showing Gloria the finer touches in the fly shop as she
helps customers.

Lauren brings up the idea to have Bruce build the two houses on the property in the back of the shops And Edith is
overjoyed with the prospect of having more children around. She readily agrees and Lauren says they have to have a
contract to protect her aunt and uncle, and Bruce and Jolene completely agree the same thing.

With that decided, we, those of us needing to be elsewhere, leave them to it and get going. Cappie to HQ, and me to
patrol. The weather had turned back to the normal mid 40's to low 50's. Even though I don't really feel the cold too
much, I still wear the appropriate clothes and heavy jacket. It's funny, because it reminds me of the way Katee Sackhoff
looks on the show 'Longmire', even to the ponytail I wear to keep my hair in control.

Family camping has dropped off a lot since the weather has turned to the cold side, but, I still check on all the grounds
to be sure everything is all right. The worst I find all day is a couple of small groups telling me about some vandalism
in a couple of the restrooms in one campground. I called it in to have a state maineinance crew scheduled for repairs.

The rest of the time is spent between thinking of Christmas gifts for my growing family, and a new plan to catch Loki.
The more I thought of it, the more I felt we needed an epic event that would appeal to his vanity. I thought most of the
day without coming up with the right answer, I only knew it had to include mom and Thor, of that much, I was certain.

***********************************************

At the end of the day, the sun is already setting when I get back to the house. Pleasantly, Darla, Sara and Gloria are
already working on dinner. I walk in and greet them, hugs and kisses, smelling the savory scents of their endeavors.
There is a large fire raging in the fireplace, giving a warm and cheery atmosphere to the house.

Darla says, "Why don't you relax in the pool while we finish up and just enjoy. Let me take care of my sister like you
did when I was carrying Katie and Michael."

I smiled at the memory of the time, wishing I knew what it was like to carry a child in my womb, now there was no
wondering involved. My mother had made this possible, to right a wrong done to me before birth and to stop Loki once and
for all. "Thank you sis, I only did it cause I loved you then, and I still love you. Thanks to mom."

Darla grins at that, then, "Hey, how about having dinner in the pool, we'll join you when it's ready and bring yours with
us. Sound good?"

I purr contented, "That sounds nice, great idea sis." And I head for the bathroom, shedding clothes as I get in the
bedroom. As I step into the pool, the water is hotter than usual giving just a wisp of steam to the room. It feels so
soothing.

I decide to invite our friends to join me, and soon they are relaxing with me, lay about the room. Only Margie and Cassie
chooses to wade in. Shortly Lauren joins us carrying two servings of dinner, saying the others were following soon after.

Dinner was a marvelous stew, beef with potatoes, corn, carrots and peas in a very thick gravy, delicious and filling. The
rest join us and we ate and relaxed, enjoying ourselves.

Bruce thought out loud, "The only thing that could make this any better, would be to have a fireplace in here too."

Thinking that was a great idea, mom appears and changes the room to include a fireplace, "That was a wonderful idea
Bruce, you keep thinking like that and you'll be the best know builder / designer on the west coast." As she shed her
gown and slips into the pool with us, "Do you mind if I join my family?" Everyone says, of coarse not.

Darla asks, "Mom, would you like some stew? We made it just like you tought me to when I was a little girl."

Moms says, "Thank you dear, I would love some."

Darla sends Katie to get her a bowl. When she comes back, she asks, "Amma, would you help me with making my gifts for
aunt Freya's and aunt Lauren's twins, I know they won't be born by Christmas, but Lauren and Freya can wear the jewelry
I'd like to make for the girls, and Jimmy can wear what we do for the boys, with your help." Mom knows that Katie has
kept up with her jewelry making like she did before. Mom was a master when it came to making pretty pieces, but why
wouldn't she, she's a goddess after all.

Mom asks, "Of coarse, what is it you have in mind Katie? I like this idea."

Katie says, "I've thought about it a lot for the last while, for the boys, I was thinking of armbands in the old
tradition, honoring our Norse heritage, in gold and silver with stones that change color to match their eyes. It has to
be magic, so it will fit them and uncle Jimmy too."

Mom nods, "I like that very much, and we can get Thor's ideas on the designs."

Katie continues, "For the girls, charm bracelets with tiny flowers of different colors, again in gold and silver, but
with their names spelled out in the links."

Mom smiles at that, "And of coarse the same magic that allows them to change sizes too. What do you want to make the
flowers from? What material?"

Katie says, "That's what I need your help with Amma, I have no idea what to use that would survive changing sizes and not
break so easily."

She smiles knowingly, "That's easy Katie, we'll just use magic stones. They come in all the colors of the rainbow, and
all you have to do is say a spell on them to take the shape you want, from a purple tulip to a yellow daffodil. From big
to tiny and anything in between."

Katie hugs her, "That's great Amma, thank you. I knew you'd have the answers."

************************************************

Later, after mom leaves, I said, "Katie, you had a great idea for the twins' presents, and I think all gifts for
Christmas should be small handmade items. Something that shows our feelings instead of a commercial item that has no
heart. Can everyone agree? It can be made from magic, but must come from the heart."

Everyone agrees, after Jimmy says, "And for those lacking any magic, all you need to do is ask one of those that do."
Nods all around.

We finally got out and Nathan and Darla went to clean up the kitchen with Katie and Austin's help. After that we all play
some game time with Tera to catch up. Bruce and Jolene got their first chance at the game and had a great time learning
how we all got our unique skills. Though they had been told, first hand info was always better.

Come bedtime everyone drifted off to their own rooms, save for Candy, Bunny and Michael, they stayed up playing the game
into the wee hours before heading to bed. Except for Bunny who kept at it after all were asleep.

************************************************

Tuesday 15 December

Waking up the next morning, I stretch as I head for the restroom. After tending to my needs, I head for the kitchen
rubbing my tummy and whispering to the babies. When I reach the living room, Bunny is already up and playing the game.
When I see what her player level is, it's 45, it's apparent she's been up all night.

As I sit down next to her, she pauses in a safe area and says, "Morning aunt Freya, sleep good last night?"

I say, "Yes, Bunny girl, I did. But it's plain you've not been to bed yet, mind telling me why?" The others start to
gather as she's about to start explaining herself.

"Aunt Freya, I just thought that if I could level up high enough, then I could help you all fighting these beasts for
real. Was that wrong of me?" Looking like she was afraid of being in trouble.

The others go about starting breakfast, leaving me to deal with this as I see fit. I take her hands and smile, "Bunny, my
Sunny Bunny, I think it's amazing that you care enough that you want to help. I really do! But, that is no reason not to
get your rest. Do I make myself clear young lady?"

She grins ear to ear, she loves to be called a young lady or woman, just hating being thought of as a little girl. And
let me tell you, she was never a 'little girl', on the day she was born, Maryanne came into the world at 10lb 3oz. That's
three pounds more than the twins weighed three years prior. So she was always big for her age, but always lean, thanks to
playing so many sports.

She hugs me and says, "Thank you aunt Freya, I promise to get my proper rest from now on."

I kiss her, "Just be sure you do. And one other thing if you don't already know from your sister and brother. Nothing
comes before your school work, got it! Family comes first, of course, but after that is school, your softball and then
games. No exceptions. Or I'll take back that 'young lady' comment."

"Ok, I promise." She said.

Soon after that, Jimmy had the pancakes ready for the family to start eating. As we sat there at the counter, Jolene
looks out the window and says, "Look, it's starting to snow! Wow, back in San Diego it's so far to drive to see the snow,
and here we get to see it from the comfort of our home."

That day was very laid back, though we still had to go out into it to work. All in all, it was a very quiet day. The
first snow of the season has a tendency to do that here in our part of Eugene.

It leads into a very slow week or so. Before you knew it it was Christmas eve morning.

************************************************

I awoke with the sun again, stretching and looking out the window. It was clear and sunny but it had snowed during the
night, a few inches anyway, not the kind that lasted past midday. But it was the kind of day where if you had nothing to
do, you'd rather just laze in bed. But we couldn't do that.

For Lauren and Jimmy, it would probably be one of their busiest days of the year. I still had my patrol to do, so I had
to get ready. Since school was on holiday break till second week of January and Bowtech was closed till Monday the 28th,
the kids decided they would help out with anything that needed doing.

That meant that Katie, since she was the oldest girl, would help out Lauren at Victoria's Secret. Austin would go with
Jimmy to help in the Verizon store. And my Bunny went with me. To say she was excited for the coming day would be a vast
understatement. Excited, normally would be a handful of sand, her level of excitement was more like desert dunes.

I made my way to the kitchen to get breakfast started. As soon as the bowls were almost ready, the rest of the family
began making their appearances. Everyone was very happy and in great spirits as we shared our morning meal, talking about
Christmas day. When we were done and cleaned up the kitchen, we got ready to leave, to meet at Moms to check in before
heading for town or patrol.

************************************************

Edith was as happy as ever to see us, immediately forcing Lauren and I into seats while the others waited on us, or went
to their usual routines. I know that Edith means well, and only has our best interests at heart, we all indulge her. I'm
at the end of the second trimester and the only reason I'm anxious at all, is that I can't wait to hold them in my arms
and to breast feed them. Lauren and I are constantly talking to them, eliciting plenty of movement, sometimes it seems
like you can feel their fingers and toes as I rub my tummy.

The only action on the Loki front was some minor skirmishes in Africa and the Mongolian plains. Both covered by the other
teams, which like us, was expanding slowly to increase their numbers.

Bunny and I left to start a most assuredly, slow day checking on the campgrounds on my route. At one stop in the middle
of the day just after lunch back at Mom's, I got a call reporting campers being pestered by some lower level Gula
brawlers.

When we got to the campground that would have been our last stop of the day, we find about three dozen of them in the far
end of the area. Seeming like they are massing for a movement, they seem slow, as if affected by the cold weather. I
figured today was a good time to see if Bunny was ready for some practical application of what she had learned so far.

Getting out of the car, I change to my armour and weapons and wait. When Bunny asked why I was waiting, I said, "I
thought that you'd like to try your hand at taking these guys on, How 'bout it? You ready?"

She smiles with a gleam in her eye, "You bet aunt Freya, but what do I do to call forth my avatar?"

I speak out, "Ask your Amma to grant you your gift, and she will make it so."

She closes her eyes and says, "Goddess Amma, please grant me your gift, so that I can help my aunt, your beloved
daughter, to rid the world of these vermin."

FREYA's voice, "Beloved granddaughter, daughter of my beloved daughter, and niece of my beloved first daughter. I bless
you with my gift. But take care little one, your Amma doesn't want you to get hurt."

Together Bunny and I whisper, "Blessed Mother!"

In a flash, Bunny takes her form from the game, a carrottop Castani like her sister Katie with blue eyes instead of
green. And she's a gunner, just like me.

I ask, "Bunny, what made you choose to be a gunner?"

She smiles widely, "Because my favorite aunt is one too, but I liked Katie's horn as well. So, a Castanic gunner. And
don't you just love my blue armour too, it's amazing."

"Thank you Bunny, you honor me with your choice. Now, since these guys seem to be affected by the cold, just take them
one at a time until you feel more confident. Remember, we're not in the game now, so you CAN get hurt. But I've got your
back!"

She smiles again, "Just like you always have aunt Freya. I love you!"

"I love you too, my Sunny Bunny. Now, go get them."

She started out taking them one at a time, these were level 40 Gulas, and she was at level 45. Not so over matched that
it was a cake walk, but not all that hard either. After almost an hour of clearing the area, it was down to the last six
of them, when it became clear that one was a level 52. It had been blocked by the others and we hadn't seen it till she
took a shot at it, and it barely moved.

As I ran to intersect where it was chasing her, I got off an extremely long range shot of mana missles, that stunned it
and knocked it down. Bunny turned in time to fire off a concussion grenade and a scatter shot, as I fired an arcane
barrage shot. That finally did him in.

Bunny looked like she sweated out that last one, "Thanks aunt Freya, that one almost got me."

I hugged her close, relieved I hadn't been further away. "Now you know why you play it safe. Don't underestimate your
opponent."

"If it's all the same to you, next time, can you stay right beside me, please. I was very scared." She starts to tremble
as I hold her.

Just then, the people who had been watching, came up to us and thanked Bunny and I for our help. I stepped back to let
her have the limelight. They were slapping her on the back and saying what a great hero she was. She smiled, accepting
their praise while looking at me, silently thanking me for the attention.

Soon we left to head home, leaving the few campers to enjoy their Christmas eve.

************************************************

At home, we were the first back, so we started dinner, making sauce for spaghetti, before heading for the bath, for a
well deserved soak in the bubbles. Gilbert and Margie joined us soon after, he complimented Bunny on her great work that
day.

She says, "You saw what happened? Where were you? I never saw you there."

Margie says, "Don't fret little one, we would have intervened if it was necessary. We won't let anything happen to any of
you."

Gilbert says, "That is why we bring it up now, your mount in the game is a fine steed, but still a horse. We would prefer
you had a mount with a little more ...., shall we say, teeth. And we have just the one for you."

All excited now, bouncing about and making waves in the pool, "OMG, omg, who is it?"

Margie then says, "We saw how much you liked Cassie, and it so happens she has a sister, a younger sister who just
finished training. Her name is Kycera, would you like to meet her?"

"Oh yes, yes, I'd love to have her as my partner." Then, without much waiting, a white tiger, a little bigger than Cassie
walks into the bathroom. She walks to the edge of the pool and lays before Bunny putting her paws over her head. Looking
quite the comic cat. Bunny says, "It's very nice to meet you Kycera! I'm Maryanne, but everyone calls me Bunny because I
always bounce around."

Before Gilbert can interpret for her, Kycera shocks everyone by saying, "It's my absolute honor to meet you Bunny, and I
would also love to be your partner."

I find my voice first, "Kycera, you can speak. I thought Gilbert said that only the dragons could talk. How is this
possible?"

Kycera says, "Please call me Ceri. And as to how I can talk, I just can. Just never had anything I wanted to say before
is all. As far as I know, I'm the only one that can. Don't ask me why."

Bunny smiles, "I love your name Ceri! Ceri and Bunny, bff's forever." Then she reaches up and grabs Ceri's head and hugs
her, kissing her on the forehead. "Hey, if you're Cassie's little sister, how come you're bigger than her?"

I start to laugh, "It's just the same as you and Katie. Ceri and you were just born bigger than your sisters."

Ceri nods, "That's right, I was the largest of all momma's cubs, she said I was a bigger pain from the moment I came into
the world."

That had us all in stitches.

The rest of the family got home and we sat down for dinner shortly after, with a roaring fire in the fireplace. At the
table, talk was about Bunny's first time in battle, we were all so proud of her. She got to introduce Ceri to everyone
too, Lauren was happy that Cassie's little sister was part of the family now. Everyone was surprised that she could talk.

After dinner sitting in front of the fire, sipping spiced cider. We all gathered together talking over our lives enjoying
the beautiful evening. Some of them asked when they would be allowed to join in like Bunny had today. I answered that it
all depended on their game skills and mom's decision.

Later, when it was time to head for bed, Candy, Jolene, Darla, Bruce, Michael and Nathan were left playing the game.
Candy and Jolene took over an extra pair I had already started. Jolene got the elf Berserker, Candy took the elf slayer.
Michael already had been playing an elf archer. His mom a human sorceress. Nathan was a human slayer. And Bruce was just
starting a human archer.

Lauren, Jimmy and I left them all to play while we went to bed. Some time in the late or maybe early hours, Jolene and
Bruce came to bed and snuggled in.

Friday 25 December, Christmas Morning

Another glorious morning, rising with the sun, and sunny it was. It was crystal clear outside, not a cloud to be seen.
There was a light layer of fresh snow, lending the lake and surrounding area pretty as a postcard. I went to the kitchen
after the restroom to start the pot of tea. No way was Jimmy getting out of making pancakes today.

Sitting before the fire, sipping a steaming mug of tea, I thought over the changes in my life from just six months ago.
Six months ago, I lived a lonely, solitary life. Only getting to see or hear from the kids occasionally on the phone or
texts, except for holidays. I was literally dying a little each day, slowly, looking towards the day of the great sleep.

Now, everything has changed. I see the kids all the time, my sister is back in my life. I'm married to the two, no, make
that four greatest people in the world. And I'm a woman, young, healthy and pregnant. To top all of that, my mom, who I
thought I had lost, turns out to be a goddess out of Norse mythology. I don't know how things could be any better than
they were now.

While I pondered the deeper meanings of my life, mom slowly appeared and helped herself to the tea pot. Sitting down with
me on the sofa, quietly enjoying the fire. As I leaned in, she put her arm around me and we just sat staring at the fire.

Some time later, Lauren and Jimmy came into the room and whispered good morning, but otherwise keeping the peaceful
serenity. They quietly began making breakfast, the aroma of berries filling the air. The smell brought the rest out of
hiding from under their covers, everyone in PJ's of some sort.

With mom's and mine interlude broken, we joined them at the kitchen counter getting plates of steaming hot pancakes, a
refill on my mug of tea and sat down at the table. Soon the talk rose, as the quiet faded away as a dream barely
remembered. Between bites, I smiled at the boisterous cheer of this loving family.

Afterwards, when it was time for the giving of gifts, mom was the first to give her gifts. To each of those who had not
yet acquired their Tera gifts were told, "When each of you reaches level 45, your gift will be activated, along with a
mount of proper standing, of your own choice. All except for Darla, for my daughter, I will chose the fitting mount. He
will come to you once you reach and acquire your gift. He is very rare among the mounts of Tera, befitting my youngest
child."

They all thanked mom, giving her hugs and kisses. The rest of the gifts I won't tell about, because they were personal
and uniquely special to each of us. All except for the bracelets that Katie had made with mom's help.

Each one was priceless in how they were made for the girls by Katie. While they shared a similar design, they were both
vastly different. Lauren's bracelet for Annie was a twisted mixture of silver and gold, so that the gold spelled out the
name Annika. Hanging from it were charms in the shape of tiny blue Buddleia 'Blue Heaven', six of them spaced evenly
around the bracelet.

The one given to me for Kira was done exactly as the other, only differing in the flower and the color. This one had tiny
pink roses. As Lauren and I held up the gifts to Kira and Annika to show the others, the tiny flowers caught the sunlight
and sparkled brilliantly like diamonds.

Lauren and I gave Katie a hug and kiss, praising her magnificent craftsmanship. She practically glowed as bright as the
tiny flowers.

End of Chapter 35