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 32: Darla and Cappie sitting in a Tree, K-i-s-s-i-n-g

The next morning, I woke in the arms of Lauren and Jimmy, happy to have the life I now do. Last night after dessert,
Darla and I talked, about nothing in general, just small talk. She still thought this was all some sort of dream.
Afterwards, I sent her upstairs to one of the extra bedrooms and told her that if she needed any clothes to have Katie
show her how to get them using Lauren's phone app.

I felt so good about things in general that when we went to bed, I was more than a little energetic to say the least. We
made love for quite a long time, lasting into the small hours of the night. I was more than usually loud in my throws of
passion and we lapsed into a contented slumber.

After waking, the two of them went to get ready for work, the day after Thanksgiving being one of the busiest days of the
year, starting the Christmas shopping rush. They kissed me and I fell back to sleep with pleasant dreams of the night
prior.

When I finally woke for real, it was late morning. I went to start tea before heading for the bathroom. Darla was sitting
on the sofa staring out the window, she looked up as I entered the room, "Morning sister." And laughed a little.

"Morning to you too sister, what's so funny?" I asked.

Darla continues to smile, "I was just wondering if you always walk around the house naked? You have changed in more ways
that just the outside."

I smile in return, "I can put some clothes on if you want, but I'm headed for the tub after starting some tea. You're
welcome to join me, the tub is more like a pool really. Lots of room." I start to make a large pot of tea and head back
to the bath.

Darla stands to follow me, she asks, "You make such a large pot of tea for just yourself and you know I don't really care
for it much."

I said, "It's because of our friends who like it so much." Reaching the bath and stepping in and sitting down, I reach
for the controls and start the bubbles and pumps. Darla looks a little unsure till I say, "Oh come on, we're both girls.
I know it must seem strange to see me this way, but if you have to, just pretend you're at some day spa or something like
that."

Darla gets undressed, just a simple top and shorts with undies. "It's not you, really, it's me. It has been a long time
since I've had a body that looked this good, I'm still feeling a bit ashamed of how I let myself go. But you're too kind
to me. I've been such a bitch to you over the years, and you didn't deserve all of it, some, but not all." She slips into
the pool and starts to relax. She closes her eyes, savoring the hot water bubbling around us.

A voice startles Darla by its unexpectedness, Margie and Cassie pad into the room and she asks, "My we join you? Please?"
The look on Darla's face is priceless, Margie is looking at her and expects an answer, Darla only nods. Marg and Cassie
steps in and roll around for a bit. Darla is still gaping.

I start to laugh and at first Darla looks upset, then mad. Finally, she sees the humor of the situation and laughs as
well. When I can control myself, "I'm sorry, I should make introductions. Darla, this is Margret, and I think you've
already seen Casandra. Ladies, this is my sister Darla, Katie, Bunny and Michael's mom. Say hello."

Margie, always the first to break the ice, "Call me, Margie or Marg, Please. It's nice to finally meet you Darla, we're
so happy you've joined us. Isn't that right Cassie?" Cassie nods her large head.

Darla says, "Um.... It's nice to meet you too Margie, Cassie. I take it that Cassie doesn't speak like you do? Is that
right?" Looking between the two of them.

Margie says, "That's right, of all the noble mounts of Tera, only us dragons can speak, though we are all of the same
intelligence as humans. Isn't that right Gilbert?"

The answer rocks Darla again, "Yes, dear one, that is correct. Though it is said that the unicorns could also speak, but
none have been seen for many generations. Hello Darla, I am Gilbert, Margret is my mate. It is nice to meet you as well."

Darla, "Thank you Gilbert, um... just how many of you are there?" Then clarifies, "I mean, friends that is?"

Gilbert answers, "Of course, dear lady. There is one of us for each who fights for the goddess FREYA, we are part of her
gift to those of you who have accepted her gift."

Darla asks, "Do you mean that I get a 'friend' too? When does that happen?" Looking at me.

"I'm sorry little sis, I was going to start you out after breakfast. By the way, when do you have to go back to work? You
know, with everything that went on last night, I slept in way longer than I normally do."

Darla smirks, "Yeah, I could hear that. Sounded like you were having a really great time, but aren't you worried about
the babies? You're what? 20 weeks from when you 'died' or so." She moved over beside me and looked me in the eyes, "Can
I?" Reaching for my belly.

I say, "Of course, Kira and Eddie want to know you too. Remember when Katie and Michael used to kick, well, these two are
more of the same."

Darla feels my belly, the twins kick up a storm, "Oh my, I can see they're very active little ones. So you have chosen
names already? Are you so sure what they'll be?"

"Oh yes, FREYA told us herself. Darla...." Looking for the right words, "I'm so glad you've come back to me, I've missed
my Lil sis so much." Tears in my eyes, I hug her tight, afraid to let her go. Afraid I'd wake up and this was all a
dream, that I was still that old man I used to be. "Darla, pinch me!"

She looks at me funny, pushing away some, then, she pinches my thigh real hard. "Ouch!"

Darla asks, "Why did you ask me to do that?"

I smiled, "Thank you! I just wanted to be sure this wasn't a dream. I really am happy now. I think I was always meant to
be a woman, I was jealous of you, did you know that? Not at first, but when Katie and Michael were born, you were so
happy. I was jealous of that, then you let me be their nanny and be close to them so much."

Darla says, "I kind of figured that about the twins, but I always wondered why you never dated much. I thought maybe you
were gay and just hadn't accepted it yet."

I said, "No, I was always into women, I just couldn't find the right one, that had the that best I saw in mom and you.
But I guess now I'm Bi cause I'd never give up either Lauren or Jimmy, and they loved me enough to not make me choose
between them. I really love them both so much."

Darla smiles and pulls me close, "I got that impression from all the noise last night, until 3 in the morning. 'Oh
goddess', 'Oh Freya, 'Oh Lauren', 'Oh Jimmy'," making fun of the three of us. "Jimmy must be quite a man to keep two
women as hot as Lauren and you happy."

I blushed a little, "OMG, but you have no idea!" And look at her like I was telling the biggest secret there was, "Now
when I was a guy in high school and later as an adult, I'd never seen a man as hung as my and Lauren's Jimmy, he puts
most porn actors to shame. To think, the first cock I ever touched besides my own would be so big, I just love it. But
that's not what makes him the man I love, no, he's kind and funny and generous, giving and accepting."

Darla asks, "How's that?"

"Well, when I first met him, my first time out of this house, I needed a phone. I went to the mall and was worried
because of my ears being pointed, I made up some lame tale and he didn't care. He thought my ears were cute, he was
hitting on me before I was out the door. He laughed at my jokes and he made some jokes back. He is very funny. I guess I
fell for him almost right away."

She asked, "So, what about Lauren? I can see why you'd be attracted to her, she's beautiful. How'd that happen?"

I continued, "Well, I knew nothing about being a woman and wanted help. I reached out to Katie, I sent her a video
message that intrigued her enough to get her to the mall and meet with me. After I convinced her who I really was, she
accepted me right away, seeing my soul I guess. The first place we went was the Victoria's Secret store, Lauren owns the
place. Well, she helped us and she thought my ears were darling too. She ended up getting Katie and I on as models for
VS. By way of thanking her, I invited her to dinner at the house. On the way out of the store Katie noticed that Lauren
just stared after me as we left. Katie said 'Aunt Freya, I think that Lauren really, really likes you, if you know what I
mean?'. Much later after she learned my secret, she said she wished she had known me before when I was a man, that she
could have loved me then too. I just wanted to cry!"

Darla says, "It looks to me like you found your ideal mates, from both sides of the gender coin. I'm very happy for you
sis." We made our way to the kitchen and started breakfast while sipping tea. I of course poured cups for Margie and
Gilbert, and Cassie's cup of French vanilla creamer. Darla was amused to see them enjoy their drinks. "I suppose since
you don't have any coffee, that I'll join the rest of you in some tea."

Sitting down at the counter I ask Darla, "Now what about you, sis? What do you want to do now with your life?" Then,
"Those people we worked for never appreciate anybody, you don't have to stay in that job."

She says, "Then what will I do? I can't be a park ranger, I don't love the woods like Katie and you. And I need to get
back home, Bunny has school and her father will wonder what's going on if we don't go back."

"Darla, That's not what I asked you! I asked, 'what do you want', not what that bigoted, pompous, egotistical jackass you
married would think. You always said you wanted to leave him. So why not? You can do anything if you really want it bad
enough."

"Freya, you're right, I hate my job, I have hated Carson since the first time he beat me. I only stayed cause he
convinced me that he'd get custody of the kids. But what I want? I want away from him. To get Maryanne and Michael away
from him too. Katie was smart, she got out as fast as she could. You know, I really love to cook, I always wanted to be a
chef."

I had to admit, "Darla? Katie left because I told her she needed to get away, it broke my heart when she left, but it was
the right thing for her. I hope you're not too upset with me."

Darla says, "Katie always loved you more than her father. You're the only one who could get her to do what she had to
do." She looked like she had something to confess, "Since you told me about how you felt, I have to admit I was more
jealous of you. You and mom were so tight, it always made me mad that she and I weren't closer, and I took it out on you.
I'm so sorry!"

I add, "Who's to say that the gods don't have their plans for us. FREYA has been like a second mother to me, but we only
have one mom."

Darla, "You're right."

After some thought, "If you really want to cook, you could open your own restaurant, or if that's too much, you could
help Edith and expand her cafe. She only serves breakfast and lunch, you could do dinners. And really, you only need to
work as much as you want. If you play the game, the money you make transfers to the real world. You could work as a
hobby. Let's see what Bunny thinks about staying here in Oregon, okay?"

Darla says okay. After breakfast, I get Darla started on the game. There was already a character on the server with the
spare gunner I had created, though this one was a human female sorceress, and looked amazingly like Darla. "Looks like
FREYA has got you setup, now, all you have to do is play and learn. I want you to pick up anything you can, even if you
can't use it, you can sell it. You don't have to go fast, but be thorough and meticulous. Got it. I'm going to talk to
the kids when I find them and do some talking. Okay?"

Darla says, "Sure thing sis, but can I put some clothes on first?" Laughing, "I guess I'm not as used to going only in
skin as you seem to be."

"Sorry sis, I forgot to tell you, but our house is kind of, wear as little or as much as you like. And being out in the
woods, it just feels natural."

I leave Darla to get familiar with the game and go looking for my nieces and nephew. I figure that they are out on the
stream and put on some shorts and a blouse tied under my breasts.

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

I found the kids all together down by the last pool before the stream, let into the lake. Katie and Michael were fishing,
but the rest just sat on the rocks and watched them.

As I got near to them, I call out, "Hey kids, what's going on? Why are you all way down here?"

Katie and Michael reeled in their lines, he said, "I just thought you and mom could use some time to yourselves. This
seemed like as good a place as any to wait. Why? What's up?"

I say, "Gather round, I'd like to discuss some serious things with all of you. This doesn't really apply to Katie, since
she already lives here with me, but.... " Michael and Bunny look a little apprehensive, "After talking with your mom for
some time, she's decided she doesn't want to go back to your father, or her job." I let them digest that for a moment.

Michael says, "What about Bunny and me, do we have to go back?"

I say, "Have to? No. You can stay here too, but what about Candy? Do you guys need to talk this over first?"

Candy says, "Freya, Michael and I have discussed this almost since that trip to the lake. And we agreed that if we were
given the chance, we would love to move here."

"But what about your parents dear, I don't want to displace you from them."

Candy admits, "My parents are not happy with me and some of my choices, since I told them I didn't want to go to college
and was going to move in with Michael soon. They about blew a gasket."

I stearnly looked her in the eye, "Young lady! I have one rule and one rule only in this house, or I should say we, as
Lauren and Jimmy agree with me." I looked to Katie and Austin and they both nod at what I'm about to say. "That is, any
child in our house, WILL go to college, or some form of higher education. The deal is, you can come and go as you need,
you work hard at school, work a part time job if you want, but we pay for your school and everything."

Candy starts to cry, "We just wanted to start a life together."

"I know, sweetheart, but what kind of life can you have without an education. I know how my brother-in-law is to Michael,
making him slave for minimum earnings and the verbal abuse he heaps on everyone around him. What you three don't know is
that the money we make in the game as gold, becomes cash in our bank accounts. FREYA truly blessed us. I've made more
money in the game over the last 4 months, than I made in the last twenty years I lived as a man."

Candy says, "Well, as long as it's no inconvenience, I can accept those rules. My parents will be so happy I'll be going
to school after all."

Michael nods his head in silent agreement. Bunny grabs me around the waist, "I don't want to go back either, all I have
there is my softball, and everyone hates my dad so much I hardly have any friends, I'll be a good girl."

I kiss her forehead, "Bunny, even when you're bad, you're still a good girl."

Katie smiles, "The house is going to get bigger again, Isn't it?"

"We'll see. First, tomorrow, Michael and Candy have to go home and tell her parents she's moving. Then Michael can
transfer his school records here to OSU. I'm sure there's a spot on the baseball team for him, right Austin?"

Austin says, "Hell yeah! And I'll bet, we can get him a place at Bowtech working with me in the shop."

"Good," I say, "Then there's one last thing you need to do before you come back."

Michael asks, "And what's that? Aunt Freya."

I smile, "To tell your dad to take his job and shove it!" We all laughed at that.

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

We decided at dinner that the only addition we needed to do to the house was the garage. What we ended up doing was the
flipping car thing from the 'Green Hornet' movie, though using magic made it much easier. And since all the cars had or
would soon have Star Trek style tech, the AG fields that provided protection, also prevented loose things from falling
around inside of the cars.

As a final thought, since Michael wanted to keep his truck, we gave him a credit card to pay off his truck lease and
paperwork to assure the title was transferred into his name away from his dad's. That settled, we had a pleasant evening.

The next morning, I took Michael and Candy home and had a visit with her parents to help explain and hopefully relieve
any trepidations they may have. Once Candy told her folks she WAS going to go to college, they were overjoyed to hear it.
Though they were less than happy to find out she was moving to Oregon. I made sure to let them know that for our family,
education always comes first. We made sure that they could contact her on Skype any time, so they didn't feel like they
lost their little girl. The fact that I was around five months pregnant made them feel safe leaving her in our care,
thankful that her schooling would continue.

That taken care of, I left them to finish preparations to move in with us, and went back home to finish our own plans to
trap Deathe and hopefully Loki.

When I got back to the house, Darla says she met someone in the game.

Coming out of the office, "Freya, I just met a guy in the game and he says he thinks he knows me. What should I do? I
told him I had to leave for a few minutes. It's funny getting hit on in a game when you're trying to kill monsters."

I laughed a little, "Get used to it, it happens all the time to female characters. What's the player's name? Did you ask
how he knows you?"

Darla said, "I think the name was 'Captain.America', he said my avatar looks like me, but how is it possible he knows
that? I haven't left the house since I've changed. So how could he?"

"Let's go ask him then." And head to the office. I sit at the desk with Darla looking over my shoulder. I type on the
whisper to 'Captain.America', 'Back, hey Captain, this is Freya.Gunner, Darla's sister, just how is it you know her
exactly?'

His response is fast, "I saw her change, at your house on Thanksgiving. And shouldn't you be on patrol by now?'

I type, 'Is this Cappie?'

'Yes'

'Are you in your office? And are the blinds closed?'

'Yes and yes'

'Ok, give us five'

'Okay'

I ran to my bedroom and put on my uniform then grab Darla. Four minutes and change after chatting with 'Captain', we were
standing across the desk from Cappie. He asks, "How is it you can change so fast and look so good too?"

"That's a secret you don't need to know, okay?" Then getting to the point, "So how come you're playing the game Cappie?"

Smiling, he says, "Just thought I should get some background on what's going on. I can't be my best if I don't have all
the information, right? And then today when I saw Darla in the game I knew it was her. I mean, 'Sister.Darla', come on,
and it looks just like her too."

Darla says, "Not our fault. When Freya started me on the game yesterday, we found the character and the name already on
that server."

I look at him, "She's right, figured that FREYA had done the set-up. So we went with it. Why not? It fits, right?"

Cappie laughs, "That it does. So Darla, are you staying or going back home soon? Either way, we can help each other in
the game. Unless you really want to go solo."

Darla smiles, "I'd like a partner.... in the game." Looking a bit sheepish. "And no, I'm not going home. I'm leaving that
brute of a man finally. Freya has kindly allowed me and Bunny to move in with them. Now I have all my family together
that I need."

Cappie takes her hand, raise it to his lips, kissing it, "I only hope you may need 1 more than you have."

Darla stammers, "I don't know what to say.... "

I start to laugh, "Oh, goddess, you two should get a room!" Before either can say a word, "Well, I've got patrol, so,
Cappie, you can make sure my little sister gets home okay? Bye!" And pop back to the house.

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

After a long, slow, tedious day of nothing happening, the only reprieve was the numerous visits with the people on my
patrol route, I head home. When I got there, the house was empty, Darla not back yet. Oh goddess, did they take me
literally? Oh well, that was their choice after all. I know my sister had little happiness in her life except for the
children since our mom passed, she deserved it, come what may.

Gloria and Bobby were the first ones back and they both helped me get supper ready. Lauren and Jimmy arrive in time to
set the table, Lauren asks, "How many for dinner tonight, love?"

I answer, "I haven't heard from Darla all day, since I left her with Cappie this morning."

Jimmy says, "What's that all about?"

Lauren chimes in, "Oh goodie! Give us the dish! You can tell us."

I take out my phone and start to text Darla and explain to them, "Well, when I got back from taking Candy and Michael
home, Darla comes out of the office and say someone in the game knew who she was, short version, seems Cappie started
playing the game for his own education and recognized her. I took over the talk and found out it was him and then we pop
to his office. After some googlie eyes between them, I left them and went on patrol. That's the last thing I know." The
phone chirps, Darla's return text. 'Wonderful day with Cap. Going to dinner. See you later. Love you'.

I smiled, "What?" Lauren and Jimmy say in unison. I showed them her text.

Lauren says, "Good for her!"

Jimmy adds, "From what you've said before, she really needs attention from a nice guy like Cappie."

"Yeah, you're both right about that." I say.

Katie and Austin show up just as dinner goes on the table, Bunny in tow. Bunny asks, "So where's mom?"

Lauren beats me to the answer, "Your mother is on a well deserved date, tonight."

Bunny smiles and Katie say what is on both their minds, "Way to go mom! She deserves it."

End of Chapter 32