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 38: New Years Eve :Part Un

Thursday 31 December Morning New Years Eve

Dawn breaks with a glorious wonder across our little lake. Our plans were to either be rid of Loki by the end of this
year, or begin the next taking him out of the picture.

Again last night, as I was falling into sleep, I heard the sounds of something familiar. Still no worries from Gilbert,
so there shouldn't be any issues. Probably just one of the kids studying late for school. I really had to commend them
for being as studious as they were.

I got up and started for the kitchen to start the tea, Darla and Nathan were already up and working on breakfast. I said,
"Morning sis, thanks for doing the breakfast."

She says, "It's nothing dear, I love helping my sister when I can. Hey, were you up late last night in the office again?
It was the third night I've heard someone in there, late."

I just say, "It wasn't me, I thought it was one of the kids studying for school. I heard it too, but since Gilbert wasn't
worried, I didn't think too much about it."

Darla smiles, "I guess you're right. If there was anything amiss, he would have woken us up."

As the other enter, all but the kids, It seems Darla and I are the only ones to have heard anything at all. I guess
because we spent so many nights working merchandising, we were a bit more sensitive to those kinds of things.

Soon talk turned to other things and by the time the kids came down, we forgot to ask them about it. But like we figured,
if it was anything needing attention, Gilbert would have said something to me.

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

Part of today after seeing Edith and Stan at the cafe, was spent checking on the preparations at the stadium for
tonight's big bash. Since this party was outdoors, there were going to be lots of those standing patio heaters. Those
were spread all through the audience area, and something bigger for the stages, three in all.

Of the three stages that would be used, the center would be for the emcees, while the other two would rotate use,
showcasing local bands.

As part of our plan, my family would be the ones center stage hosting the evening's gala. In front of the center stage
was a large area of wood flooring to be used for dancing. The only seating would be at the edges of the field and the
bleachers of the stadium. By early afternoon, the stadium looked very festive.

With everything set in place at the stadium, there was still time for a few rounds on my patrol route.

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

After making my rounds, I head home to prepare for tonight. After all, this was a New Years eve party and we had to dress
for the part. When the time was right, we would summon our armour and weapons.

With all the heaters at the party, we could wear just about anything we wanted to. My choice was long emerald green
dress, with a jewel encrusted bodice. Slinky, sexy and very plainly showing off my bump. With my hair done in long wavy
curls and makeup done just right, I felt like a beautiful princess.

By the time the rest were done dressing, we were all looking absolutely fantastic. Lauren, showing off a marvelous red
sequined dress with a long train. Katie wore a stunning blue gown that looked like a waterfall, highlighting her green
eyes and red hair. Jolene was dressed in a white dress with a Vee neck plunging past her belly button, showing her
breasts and belly bump. She was good enough to eat.

Darla dressed in a LBD, displaying lots of leg and cleavage. Cappie looked like he couldn't wait to get her out of it.
Seraphina wore pink to match with Gloria's lilac dress. Making a perfect mother - daughter pair. Candy was in a dress
that looked like it was covered with Skittles, and seemed so sweet. Bunny, bless her, wore a faux rabbit bodice with
matching gray maxi skirt.

The guys all wore the finest black tuxes, very chic and stylish. Jimmy looked so good to Lauren and I, that we kept
giving him playful little touches, just enough to let him know, we had plans for him later that night.

We were ready to go with time to spare. About an hour before the party was to begin. Choosing to teleport to one of the
stadium locker rooms, to make last minute plans and finalize our strategy. Mom and Thor met us there.

Our plan for the opening of the party was to get things going with a couple of songs from the hottest local band, before
introducing mom and Thor on stage. Tonight promised to be one for revealing some important truths. And because of mom and
Thor's presence, it would all be broadcast live. I only hoped we could all live a normal life after this was over.

As we walked onto the center stage, Jimmy has an arm around both Lauren and I. The others follow in pairs and we all
gather in the center of the stage, the music rising in tempo to a crashing finale.

As the music ends, our mics go live. Jimmy calls out, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen."

Lauren continues, "Welcome to Oregon State University stadium for tonight's New Years Eve party." The gathering crowd
cheers out loudly.

I finish, "Welcome to Eugene and the rest of the world in what promises to be a very memorable occasion."

Katie goes on, "So enjoy yourselves, dance to the sounds of our first band, 'Dirty River'". The band starts playing and
the people begin dancing and having fun.

As the band finishes their second song, the crowd cheers and claps heartily for them. As the hush falls over the gathered
mass of people, I announce, "Ladies and gentlemen, our very special guests tonight, come from out of time and history,
legends from our past. I present, FREYA, goddess of the Asgard and the god of thunder himself, Thor!" The sky grew
ominously dark, flashes of lightning cutting the dark skies to the core, then a monstrous clap of thunder. FREYA and Thor
appear at the front of the stage.

The band stikes into AC/Dc's, Thunderstruck, loud and hard. The crowd, the whole stadium went crazy, singing out the
lyrics along with the band. Mom and Thor raise their arms high overhead, pumping to the sound of the music. The song goes
on to the end chorus. At the very end, Thor raises his hammer high, lightning shooting into the sky.

Mom raises her hands to quiet the crowd, in a voice as calm and motherly as any you could imagine, "Thank you for your
kind greeting, we are very happy to be here this evening."

Thor then lowers his hammer and places it on the stage, "Yes, good folk, very well met! And if we are very lucky tonight,
we will have an extra special surprise guest before the stroke of midnight." After a short pause, "So, let's continue
with the music and dancing."

The second band starts into their first set, the crowd dancing along. Mom and Thor are beating out the steps at the edge
of the stage. The rest of us follow their lead and enjoy ourselves.

As the music settles, mom raises a hand, "For those of you who don't know already, let me introduce your hostess for
tonight. She is a local park ranger, 6 months pregnant, as you easily tell. Freya Lawrence Blake!" The crown cheers for
me, causing me to blush slightly. "As host James Tiberius Blake, her husband!" Another round of cheers. "And your co-
hostess Lauren Applegate Blake, sister-wife to Freya and James! And also with child."

The crown claps and cheers. Mom lets it go on for a short while. She gives me a wink, then turns back to the crowd as
they quiet down. "What most of you do not know, is, that Freya here is my first worldly born daughter, she and her little
sister were blessed me by their mortal father." She draws Darla and I to her with an arm around each of us, presenting us
to the crowd.

For a moment, all is quiet. Then the crowd suddenly starts yelling our names, over and over, having accepted us
completely. Jimmy yells out, "More music and dance!"

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

Over the next hour and a half, the entire family is introduced between sets of music from the bands. The crowd continues
to grow ever larger, swelling until the stadium is near to bursting in capacity. After eleven o'clock, the sky began to
shift colors, ranging from across the rainbow of colors.

Slowly the colors fade and the sky takes on the appearance of a movie screen, and a face comes into clarity. The face of
Loki the trickster. His smile, mocks us, as we peer into the sky. "My, my, what a wonderful party, and I wasn't invited,
for shame!"

I step forward with Jimmy and Lauren to stand with FREYA and Thor. "Loki, you are welcome to join us! We didn't know
where to send an invitation for you. Please!" Then, looking over the gathered stadium full of people, "People, please
welcome, our extra special guest, and brother of Thor, the god of tricks and pranks, Loki! The band starts playing Angel
Doolas - Trickster.

As the song plays, the clouds condense, drawing tighter and tighter, descending to the stage. The cloud takes on the
shape of a man, the shape becomes Loki. He steps forward, "Greetings people, I grant you my presence, Behold!"

End of Chapter 38