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 37: Begining of the End? Insights

Sunday 27 December

Katie

I woke early, way too much sun streaming through the windows. Austin already up, left me alone in bed. I curled up,
enjoying the warmth of the heavy comforter and my PJ's, trying to go back to sleep. I can hear Austin, come back into the
room, he stops at the side of the bed, not saying a word.

I opened one eye and look at him, "What?" I say flatly. He smiles down knowingly. "What are you smiling at?"

His smile grows wider, "Are you ever getting out of bed today? It's almost 8 o'clock!"

I groaned, "8 o'clock, why are you so worried about being up at this time of the morning on a Sunday?" He started to say
something, I stopped him, "Never mind, I'll get up."

I go to the bathroom and do my business, wash my hands and then run a brush through my hair. I drag myself down the
stairs and into the kitchen, slumping into a seat at the counter. Aunt Freya is already making breakfast bowls, looking
far too chipper this early.

Freya says, "Smile Baby Bear, there will be plenty of time to sleep later in life. Now is the time to enjoy what you
have." Sliding a mug of tea in my direction.

Taking a sip and savoring the heat, breathing in the steam rising from the mug. "Mmmm, better. Almost worth getting out
of bed for." I looked at her closely, no one who didn't know better would ever believe that she had ever been other than
she was right now, a beautiful 23yo woman. Glowing in the prime of her pregnancy, 6 months along, and acting like it was
nothing.

Thinking back on my life, I couldn't remember a time when I wasn't completely in awe of this person. First as my uncle
who never treated me as anything other than the most important person in the world. Not that he had ever treated Bunny
and Michael any less so. When he had died six and a half months ago, I literally thought my world had come to an end. The
only reason I didn't drop out of school right away, was knowing how disappointed he would have been. I couldn't do that
to him, ever.

Thankfully, that all changed. Things have a way of working out for the best when you least expect them to. Because of
Loki's interference when Amma was carrying her first child, brought into this world as a boy instead of as a girl,
changing everything that would happen to our family. Actually, our family was all the better for what Loki had done. I
suddenly smile with that realization.

Freya sees my change of attitude and knows I have figured something out, she could read me way too easily, better than
mom ever could.

She smiles, "What is it, little one? You had a thought, didn't you?" Already knowing the answer to her own question.

I nod at her, "You could say I've had an epiphany! Something I never would have guessed."

She asks, "And what was this moment of divine clarity about?"

I knew for certain that she already knew what I would say next, "Only that we owe everything to who we are to Loki. If he
hadn't caused you to be born as a boy, everything would be different now. There's no knowing if we'd all be together now
if he hadn't. You would have had your own family and not spent so much time with us. I know I would have loved you no
less, but, it would never be the same as it is now!"

She smiled at me like I was Einstein or the Dalai lama, nodding her head, "Yes we owe him everything. But, we still have
to stop him from hurting others. Cause, surely his current plans will hurt far to many people. Even if it was only one,
that is one too many."

The rest of the family joins us and we share my insight with the others. It's a lot to take in all at one time.

Freya

Katie had brought up something that had been in the back of my mind for some time. The fact that I owed Loki for anything
in my life was shocking and appalling, but there was no denying it either. It was something I would have to discuss with
mom when I had the chance. But that must wait for now, we had plans first.

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

The entire day we spent nested up in the house, just enjoying the closeness of our family. At some point during the day,
I finally got a chance to speak with mom. I closed my eyes and pictured myself in her garden in Asgard. Not having done
this before, I wasn't completely sure it would work.

When I opened my eyes, I was seated where I had imagined myself in her garden. Just as she comes out, surprised to see
me. She asks, "What brings you to me, daughter? And how did you get here?"

I smiled, "I got here by imagining myself here. I need to talk to you, mom." I spent some time explaining Katie's
insights and my thoughts prior and since then.

She nods her head, taking my hands in hers. "That is very profound of her and of you. It was not something I had wanted
to believe or admit before, but now, I can see you both are right in that. Your mind is clearly as beautiful as your
body, Katie's also." Thoughts crease her brow while she ponders, "This only changes what comes after we stop Loki. I
concede my gratitude to him for making my daughters' family so closely knit. But we must stop him regardless."

I say, "We feel the same mother."

Mom says, "You go on back home now Freya, I have some soul searching to do and need the counsel of Odin, Frigg and Thor.
Bye for now my lovely daughter."

Knowing that moms are supposed to say things like that to their children did nothing to stem the warmth it brought to my
heart to hear her say it aloud. I kissed her and closed my eyes to return home.

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

Monday 28 December

Another glorious morning greets me as I wake up, the sun just topping the trees across the lake. I bask in the warmth of
my loved ones in bed with me. Rubbing my belly, I think, Well Kira and Eddie, care for a soak in the pool. I feel them
kick as in answer to my question.

After a long soak in the pool, I head into the kitchen to start breakfast. This morning, however, it seems that Darla,
Katie and Bunny had beat me to it. My sister could have been a master chef had she wanted to, so it is no surprise that
she can cook very well.

Sitting down at the counter, "Good morning loved ones!" Just as Katie slides me a fresh mug of tea with French vanilla
creamer.

Bunny runs to me and gives me a big hug, "Morning aunt Freya."

Katie says, "Good morning, Auntie Bear!"

Darla smiles, "Just figured that I'd help out some, you or Jimmy cook almost every day." And blows me a kiss.

I say, "I don't mind making breakfast. I'm also not going to stop you from cooking for me. Thank you sister dearest!"
Flashing her a brilliant smile.

Darla laughs, "You only say that, because I'm your only sister. But you're now my dearest sister too."

Katie laughs at our banter, then adds, "I would say 'Get a room', knowing that Freya goes both ways, but, omg, that would
just be so wrong." Shaking her head.

Bunny shakes her head too.

I say, "Katie, if you keep that up, your sister is going to get the wrong impression of me. Then, I'll have to put you
over my knee and give you a good spanking."

She laughs, "If you can catch me! Ha!"

I just give her 'that look', "Do I really need to chase you?"

She thinks about that good and hard while her mother and I watch her. Finally, she answers, "No ma'am!" Meakly.

Darla and I say together, "I didn't think so!"

Darla has Belgian waffles ready to go as everyone starts showing up to eat, with strawberries, blackberries, cherries,
blueberries and bananas. Goddess it smelled so good!

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

After breakfast was finished and we were ready to go, Nathan gets a call from HQ. Seems that there were already quite a
few creature reports this morning. Nothing really major, but spread out around the district.

Splitting into teams to cover the incursions, I take Katie and Bunny with me, Austin and Jimmy together. Nathan and
Darla, with Michael and Candy. Then added Bruce and Jolene to Jimmy's team. Talking it over with Nathan, Cappie and I
divide up the places we need to cover. And get everyone on their way.

We all 'suit up', and call for our mounts, heading to our cleanup areas.

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

We get to our area. It was the site where we had done the last archery tournament. There were about fifty of the deformed
Fangspawns all in the area near the river's edge. These were the smaller of the Fangspwns being only 15 feet tall, they
still could spew fire and so were still dangerous.

These were just at the edge of Bunny's skill level, so I had her team with her sister, for her own protection. At first
she bristled at being Katie's backup, but soon discovered they were harder to kill than what she had faced already.

It took us about an hour to clean up the area and move onto the next. The second spot we went to was the same place where
Katie had dealt with the Parthian raiders by the lake near the school. This time, however, it was more Fangspawns, though
the larger variety. Thankfully, these were lower level ones that were easier to deal with. Unfortunately, there were lots
of them to go around between the three of us.

There were a hundred or so of the beasts, and it took some time to clear the area. Again, thankfully, they didn't re-
spawn, so once gone, we were done. Still, it took nearly three hours to finish up.

After 4 hours of fighting, we checked on the next spot to clear, when we learned that everything had been dealt with, for
the time being. We gathered back at the house to have some lunch and regroup.

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

After eating, the feeling, from waiting for a call, was much like I imagined it was for the young pilots of the RAF
during the Battle of Britian. There was an almost constant need to be busy, doing something, even cleaning the house.

And that's just what I did. I started cleaning the kitchen, even though it was spotless. After that, I moved to the
office / nursery and did the same. Just mindless busy work. All to keep from thinking about it at all.

While I cleaned, the others found things to do themselves. Bunny worked on leveling up in the game, with Jolene and
Bruce's help. All three of them realized they needed to improve their skills to be of better use to the whole. They were
very determined to get as far as possible.

Soon, it became evident that there were no more events for the day, and finally relaxed. Given the all clear, I knew I
needed a long soak in the pool. It didn't take long for all the women in the house to join me. Jolene and Darla,
realizing how tense I was, decided to massage my back while we all soaked.

While we were relaxing, Jimmy and Bruce decided to do the cooking, well, BBQ steaks and salads. Since they cooked
outside, there was little or no clean up in the house. I guess they figured with all the cleaning I had just done, they
didn't want to make any messes. Goddess bless them all.

The steaks were perfection, marinated in Yoshida's teriyaki sauce, with just the right amount of fat left on for the best
flavor. No one left the table dissatisfied, that's for sure.

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

The rest of the evening was spent cuddling on the couch, enjoying the roaring fire in the fireplace.

Later, after we had gone to bed. I was just drifting off, hearing soft noises coming from the office. Knowing that if
anything was wrong, Gilbert or one of the others would speak up. I succumb to sleep.

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

Tuesday 29 Decenber

I wake early and get ready for another possible day of being busy with more local incurions. Today, everyone is unusually
subdued and quiet. Almost no one speaks throughout breakfast.

We make our way to Edith's and get no news at all. Maybe it would be quiet after all. We part, for our individual tasks
after hugs and kisses, feeling a little better for it.

The day remains calm with plenty of time for introspection. I am nearly 24 weeks in my pregnancy, just starting my third
trimester. The anticipation I have for the children to be born is like a young child awaiting Christmas morning presents.
What will they look like? Will they favor me or Jimmy? Red headed or Blond? And the color of their eyes?

My hopes are that Kira will be red haired with stunning green eyes, the kind of eyes that can reflect her amusement, in
all things of joy. For Eddie, I hope his hair is like his father's, blond with just a trace of red, but not strawberry
blond. Eyes deep blue, with just a spark of emerald.

Regaurdless, we knew they would be healthy, how could they not.

The day practically flew by, with me deep in thought. Glad I was alone, allowing me to think and ponder. I knew that Loki
had much to pay for, but there was no denying that I owed him for how my life turned out so much better than I could have
hoped for. Loki would live, but, he would never see the light of freedom ever again.

I was in a much better mood when I got home that day than I had been that morning, and it must have been plain to the
others. Lightening the mood of the whole house. Darla decided to cook something special tonight, something that I always
loved how well she made, Chicken Cordon Blue.

Usually, she disliked making it because it was so time consuming. Today, I guess she felt the extra labor of love was
well worth the effort. Have I mentioned how much I love my sister. She always knows the comfort food I like best. I am so
glad she came back into my life. And even more happy, that she and Cappie had found their soul mates in each other.

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

Again, after dinner, we spent the evening quietly enjoying our family. Some played in the game, working on increasing
their levels in an attempt to be able to help us with Loki on New Years Eve. Gloria seemed more the her usual quiet self.
She even fell asleep next to me on the sofa with her head resting on my shoulder. She is such a sweet girl, she and Bobby
the perfect young couple, just like Katie and Austin, and Candy and Michael.

When it was time for bed, I had Jimmy carry her to her room. Bobby is a great boy, but no where's near as strong as Jimmy
or Bruce, though there was the look about him that he would grow enough to match them as he matured. Wishing everyone
Goodnight, we head off for bed ourselves.

Much later, I was partially woken up by some small noises like the night before. Again, since Gilbert and the others were
silent, so I figured it was nothing and fell back to sleep.

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

Wednesday 30 December

Another day dawns with light across the lake. It was a very beautiful sight to behold, one I would never tire of. I went
to the kitchen and started the tea and head for the bathroom. The others soon join me in the pool and we quickly finish
bathing.

Jimmy and Bruce handled the cooking chores today, deciding on French toast for a change of pace. They did a marvelous job
together and we all had a great meal. With sides of sausage and bacon not being neglected.

We dressed for work and headed for Edith's cafe. Bruce and Jo had been using a part of the cafe to work out of so they
could meet our neighbors while they made plans for the houses to be built. Readying the permits and anything needed for
when the weather changed and building could begin.

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

The day was again quiet and peaceful. No encounters for us at all. I guess it would all come down to a face off tomorrow
night at the New Years eve party held at the stadium. We kept things very hushed to avoid alerting Loki of our plans. We
felt he'd be very unpleasantly surprised.

End of Chapter 37