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 40: An Ending Becomes a Begining

Thursday 21 April Morning

It has been 4 months since we finally managed to capture Loki, and sent him on what I hope would be a truly life changing
adventure. One that would make Loki a better person. I was still the only person who knew where he was, as I was the one
who placed him where he now is.

Looking back over the last months, and preparing for the babies' births, has been an absolute joy. Kira and Eddie were
due any day, not that we had seen any doctor, since we knew from mom, that they were very healthy. If everything went as
we planned, we would just have enough time to get things settled before Lauren birthed Annie and Tommie.

About a month ago, I was put on maternity leave as per department regulations, I had no say in the matter. As for Lauren,
since she was her own boss, she still went to work every morning, but she did take it easy while there. Then there was
everyone trying to look after the two of us, Goddess love them! Even sweet Jo-Jo, who is due around 13 weeks after
Lauren.

When I woke that morning, it was to the faintest of pains. It was hardly anything, that is until I sat up, and found the
bed was wet. I started to cry, realising that my water broke and the babies were finally coming. My happy crying woke the
others in some confusion. They asked what was wrong, figuring it was probably just hormones.

Hugging onto Jimmy and Lauren, I pointed to the wet sheets. Jimmy said, "It's ok darling, it's bound to happen."

I shook my head and started laughing, "No silly, I'm in labor." And started crying happy tears all over. As they finally
understood, they started to cry too.

Lauren was all business, "Freya, Hun, how strong are the contractions? How far apart?"

I looked at her, "Um, I don't know, I just barely felt the one that woke me up."

Jimmy and Lauren shared a look, Jimmy says, "Then you probably have a long way to go then, right Lauren?" Lauren nods her
head. Reviewing what we had planned for, Jimmy asks, "You still set on having them in the pool? Water birth? Yes?"

I say, "I think that is still the best way to go."

Lauren says to me, "You take your bath, and when you're done, Jimmy will have the boys empty and clean it up to prepare
for the birth, ok?"

"Ok, but will you and Jo-Jo, come with me? I don't want to be alone." As we start walking to the bathroom, each holding
onto our bellies, barely a waddle among us.

Calmly, Jimmy and Bruce head for the kitchen to start breakfast and to get things going. Calling for the kids to come
down, Bruce starts on pancakes while Jimmy explains what's going to happen today. Everyone is excited, Bunny is shrieking
in pure happiness.

Darla and Nathan come from their room asking what's going on. Katie looks at her mother, "Today's the day mom, aunt Freya
has gone into labor." Then thinking, "Has anyone called Amma FREYA?"

Darla says, "Mom will know when to be here sweetie, never fear. If she not here, then there is still plenty of time till
the babies come." Everyone agrees with that.

By the time Lauren, Jo-Jo and I are out of the bath, most of the others have already eaten breakfast. As we three sit at
the counter and are fed, Michael, Austin and Bobby get busy on the pool to get it ready. My emotions are so high, I am
constantly crying, because I'm so happy.

Darla asks, "Any more contractions sis?" When I shake my head, no. She says, "Then, they're not coming anytime soon.
After you finish eating, just rest, you're going to need it."

Lauren asks, "Has anyone called Edith and Stan to let them know yet? You know how Edith is, if we don't show up at the
cafe by a certain time, she'll start to worry."

Jimmy says, "Just about to do that Sweetheart, then I'll call my uncle and let him know that I won't be in today. Then I
can call your people to tell them the same. Sound ok to you?"

Lauren smiles, "I knew there was a reason I let you knock me up! You always plan ahead. And with this growing family,"
rubbing her belly as well as Jo-Jo's and mine, "We really have to plan."

It was at this time that Gloria chose to make a statement, "Um, since we're all here right now, I guess I should tell you
what I learned yesterday when I went to the doctor." Everyone looks expectantly at Gloria, Bobby takes her hand. She
lowers her eyes, feeling a little embarrassed, fearing our reaction.

She was asked if she was ok, she answered, "Oh, I'm fine really. Just with all of the excitement for the last couple
months, dealing with the Tera creatures that still occur once in a while, I missed something."

Since I already knew where this was leading, I just covered my smile with my hand. Bobby asks, "What did you miss, love?"

She looks up into his eyes, "Uh... well... um, my last three periods." Bobby looks confused, while most of the rest
understood, especially the girls. Gloria then says, "I'm three and a half months pregnant. You're going to be a papa."

Bobby whoops loudly, "I'm going to be a father? Oh Gloria, please tell me you're not kidding? Really?" She nods her head,
smiling. Bobby picks her up off her feet, spinning them around, "I'm going to be a father! I'm going to be a father!"
Then after putting her down, "Did the doctor say whether it's a boy or a girl?"

Gloria says, "I hope you're not unhappy if he said it's a girl?"

"A girl? Are you kidding? I'd love to have a little girl! I just know she'll be as pretty as her momma. Goddess Gloria, I
love you so much, Thank You! Can we name her Lucy? That was my grandmother's name. I always loved that name."

Gloria says, "I think Lucy is a great name for our girl, but can we use Aurora for her middle name? That was papa's mom's
name."

Bobby smiles, "I love it, Lucy Aurora Roberts." Turning to all of us, "What do you all think about Lucy Aurora Roberts?"

We all cheer out, "To Lucy!"

Quietly I thought, 'Welcome to the family, Loki.'

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

It was still another hour before I had another contraction, when it came to me, it was completely unexpected, just a
little, oh, what was that, and it was over. Actually, it felt kind of erotic in a weird sort of way. Darla noticed it and
asked if I had another contraction. I nodded yes. She asks, "How bad is the pain?"

I admitted, "It didn't hurt at all. Actually, it felt kind of nice, erotic, just a pinch of pleasure." I blushed at that.

Darla smiled, "Oh boy, aren't you the lucky one! You remember when the twins were born, I was in so much pain for hours,
even the spinal block didn't even really help. Now I'm jealous, almost makes me want to have another baby, with Nathan."

I looked at her, "Really Darla, that would be awesome. I think Nathan would be a great dad, he treats the kids as if they
were his own. That would be a great reward for him from you. If that's what you truly want, I'm behind you 100%, you know
that Sis."

Darla says, "I'll have a long talk with him and see how he feels about bringing a new little one into the world. I hope
he says yes. Either way, I still love him."

Darla left to find Nathan and start their talk. Seraphina sat with me and we talked for a while. After a bit, she says,
"Freya, I want you to know, from the deepest part of my heart, how much you love my Glory. She's such a good girl." She
looks to see who is close to us, that might hear her. Softly she asks, "Tell me, please, is the baby that she carries,
Loki?"

I said, "Yes Sera, but you must never tell her. Their two souls hurt so much, they need each other to heal. And we both
know, that she will be a great mother, and love that little girl with all her heart. You understand?"

"Thank you! I don't know what I ever did to deserve you and your family as friends, but, bless you all." We sat together
quietly, just holding hands, sharing a bond, that only two women, who used to be men, can. We stayed like that for a long
time. Till I had another contraction, a little tingle of pleasure.

Jimmy noticed and said, "That's about 90 minutes apart. At that rate, they won't arrive until sometime tomorrow. At least
you aren't in any pain yet. That would be terrible if it hurts for that long."

"Jimmy, if all my contraction feel like the last two did, by the time they are ready to be born, you'll have to pull me
off your naked body to birth them." Laughing. Then I add, "Hey, you know what tomorrow is, don't you? It's Earth Day!
What a fitting day for them to be born."

Jimmy nods, "Yeah, you're right. That would be very fitting for them. Children of two worlds, their mother, the savior of
the planet." I said to stop talking like that, we were both children of this world, and we had all done our part to save
it.

Gloria and Bobby sat close to the fireplace in a love seat, whispering together. They would be good parents. And If all
went like it should, Lucy would be born very close to Katie and Michael's birthday, making them the perfect godparents
for Gloria's little girl.

Even though I wasn't really tired, at some point I must have dosed off. When I woke again, I was still on the sofa being
cuddled by Lauren and Jimmy, as a thrill raced through my body. I asked, What time ist? How long did I sleep for?"

Lauren says, "It's been about five hours Hun, You've had a few more contractions. The last ones were 60 minutes apart,
closer, but still not there yet. Still looks like it's going to be tomorrow." Lauren gave me a kiss, "You looked so cute
napping there, every time you had a contraction, you moaned out in your sleep. It was so precious."

"What's everyone, been doing?" I asked, not seeing anyone else, and not hearing any sounds throughout the house.

Jimmy said, "They all went to work or the cafe, we had to promise that if there was any significant change, we would let
them all know." I nodded at that, good for them, they didn't need to sit here waiting. "Edith calls regularly to let us
know that nearly everyone in the area knows that you've started labor and have been sending their best wishes."

I smiled, "That's very nice of them, we have such a wonderful community, and so close knit." I started to get up, and
Jimmy and Lauren ask where I think I'm going to. I said, "First the bathroom, then I want something to eat! I'm starving"

Lauren follows me to the bathroom, while Jimmy heads for the kitchen, he asks, "What do you want to eat? I'll fix it for
you Sweetheart."

I say, "Thanks Love, that's wonderful. How about some Vanilla ice cream with pickled herring." He looked at me funny,
"No, that just sounds wrong doesn't it? Better make it, Rocky Road instead."

Lauren laughed, If I start asking for anything like that, please, shoot me. I'm serious!"

So the rest of the day went. And I must say, that pickled herring and Rocky Road was pretty good, thankfully neither of
them wanted to share it with me, I had it all to myself. Actually, that was probably the only weird craving I had. After
that I only wanted just regular food.

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

By the time the rest of the family was back home, I felt like I was eating enough for an entire army, and drank enough
juice and water, and don't forget the milk, to float a small navy. I had been to the bathroom so many times, I thought I
was diabetic again.

When they came in, Jimmy and Lauren were starting to make dinner, when Edith comes in saying to put it away, she brought
dinner, KFC chicken, original recipe. As everyone sat down at the table, I went to the pantry and came back with a jar of
strawberry preserves. I guess my cravings were not over yet.

Edith just said, "Sometimes you just have to give in to that inner voice." I looked up from smearing the strawberries on
a chicken thigh wondering what she was talking about. They all laughed.

Between the laughter, Jimmy regaled them on my afternoon snack, making some of the boys looking a little green around the
collar. By the time we were done with dinner, my contractions were 55 minutes apart. So active labor would probably be in
the early morning hours.

All through the evening we played Tera, everyone taking turns sitting with me, making me feel very loved and wanted.
Every time a contraction hit me, I would moan out from the tingling pleasure I felt. Katie and Bunny asked their mom if
that was normal. She told them that it was very unusual, but that it was probably caused by all the love and caring in
the house. That everyone saw the births a welcome miracle.

By the stroke of midnight, mother finally arrived, letting me and the others know that the time was drawing near. Also
the contractions were now 15 minutes apart and getting shorter with each one. I could also feel that my milk was coming
in as by my bra was getting tighter.

I was crying again, just thinking how wonderful it would be to nurse the twins very soon. Mom drew me into a hug and
said, "You are ready Freya! It is time to move to your bath for the births. Jimmy, Lauren, Jo and Bruce, take her and
make her ready."

When we got to the bedroom, they removed my clothes one at a time. As they did this, each in turn would give me a kiss
and say, 'I Love You,' In the bathroom, with the water running, mother stood in the pool, welcoming each one as we
stepped in.

Lauren and Jimmy went first, mother hugged and kissed them each. I followed them, held hand in hand by each, mom says, "I
love you, daughter, enter this pool of love." We hugged and kissed. Jo and Bruce entered last, each receiving the same
treatment as Lauren and Jimmy.

As I sit down in the pool, contractions are now 5 minutes apart. Lauren sits on my left and Jimmy on my right, both of
them rub my tummy, and talk softly to the children, letting them know how much this moment means to all of us. And
whispers of, 'I love you.' 4 minutes now. I sound like I'm in a soft core porn, moaning each time.

Mom takes my face in her hands, "Child, when the babies come, there will be pain, but it won't last for very long. Just
remember, this is what you've wanted all your life, this, you know. All pain is transitory. Feel all the love in your
home, stretch your senses out and feel all the love in your town. Now go farther and feel the love of the entire world."

2 minutes now. As mom had said, I could feel all the love around me, coalesces. I felt it suffuse me with its glowing
radiance. 1 minute. It felt like a wave building towards an orgasm, drawing closer. Then the first pain hit, hard. It was
time to welcome the first born of my family.

I screamed out like I had been stabbed. Mom said, "Push hard child, and welcome your first born!" I grunted and screamed
again, pushing as hard as I could. After what seemed like forever, the pain lessened as I felt the child slide from my
womb. A soft cry, not of distress, but of need, to be held. Mom says, "Welcome Kira!"

Mom hands Kira to Jo, who kisses her forehead. She then holds her to Bruce, who kisses her also. She is then passed to
Lauren and Jimmy, and finally me. I hold my new little girl for the first time as I feel the pain again. This time, I
hold back the scream, not wanting to scare Kira.

As I push again for all I was worth, I lean forward and Kiss Kira's little red haired head. It was funny to me, that I
could take that time to notice her hair was the same color as mine. I pushed through the pain, rewarded by the soft
gurgles of my son. Mom held him up, "Welcome Edward!"

This time, mom hands Eddie to Bruce, kissing his forehead, then holds him to Jo, who kisses him. Then on to Jimmy,
kissing his son's head, just a little less red than Kira's. Lauren takes him next, kissing him and laying him on my other
arm. I kiss his beautiful little head.

I say to them, "Mommie is so happy to see you both, I love you!" I started crying again. Mom took care of the cords,
magically, no pain or distress. We got out of the pool and I got dressed again, just in time to sit in the rocker for
their first feeding.

I knew from the reading online, I had done, I needed them to start feeding before they began to cry. Keeping them skin to
skin next to me, placing each one at a nipple, almost immediately, they each latched on and started sucking. What an
amazing feeling, to suckle my littles ones.

Looking down on the perfect little heads, their ears slightly less pointed than mine. Ten fingers and ten toes, perfect
in every way. And the way they fed, they were very healthy too.

The rest of the family was invited to see Kira and Eddie for the first time while they still were feeding. Everyone
commenting on how beautiful they were. Gloria said, "I just hope my little one will be as healthy as these two are. I
admit, when I was first told I was pregnant, I was scared, but seeing these two, now, I can't wait for my time."

I looked at Gloria, "Thank you Sweetie, you'll be a great mom. And you can be sure, your little girl will be healthy. I
guarantee it."

Gloria smiles, "Thank you Freya, you're such a good friend to Bobby and me. We were talking at the Mom and Pops today,
and we'd like you to be Lucy's godmother, and Jimmy to be her godfather. Would you please say yes?" Then says, "You'll
have to share with Katie and Michael though."

With complete sincerity, "Nothing would give me greater pleasure then to be Lucy's godmother." I promised I would keep
Loki close.

End of Chapter 40