Chapter 65

It was the dull throbbing of his injured arm that roused him from his slumber.

Roger realized that he was also alone, a glance at the clock radio told him that it was nearly lunchtime.

"Shit!" he thought."Freya's late for school!"

He quickly pulled on his clothes from the day before and all but ran down the hall to her room.

It was unoccupied, her bed neatly made.

Going down to the kitchen, he saw the note lying on the kitchen table, it read:

"I'm at school and I'll call home during lunch,

Freya

P.S. I made you some food, it's in the microwave."

Inside the microwave there was a plate with a breakfast on it.

Roger set the timer for one minute and hit "Start".

In the meantime, he got out a large mug and dosed it with creamer before he filled it with still hot coffee from the coffee maker.

After the microwave chimed he retrieved his meal and set it on the table.

He paused a moment, where was Sasha and Dena?

Usually the enormous wolf would be nearby in the event that Roger felt the urge to give her a good rump scratching.

Dena would also be nearby, waiting for the opportunity to give him a kiss, then he recalled Ildi's comment about them visiting with the neighbors.

Roger smiled to himself, how many guys would kill to be in his situation? Living with two beautiful women, three if one counted the wolf.

One, a towering young giantess rapidly becoming a woman.

The other, a doll sized elf of unknown age and undeniably, a woman.

Then there was Sasha, the giant wolf.

What better way to spend a winter's evening than watching a cheery blaze in the big stone fireplace.

With feet propped up, and a snifter full of old brandy in one hand while nearby, in easy reach, was a great pair of furry ears to scratch behind with the other?

The roar of an engine broke through his daydream.

Without thinking, Roger dashed out of the house and saw the big Mercedes-Benz aiming squarely at Sasha and Dena as they trotted along, blissfully unaware of the danger approaching very rapidly.

He screamed "LOOK OUT!" And half saw Sasha dodge aside at the last moment before he heard a loud 'thump' and heard tires screeching as the car slammed on its brakes.

Moments later, the tires began smoking as the bulky Mercedes-Benz charged in reverse towards the injured Sasha.

Roger suddenly realized he had a fair sized rock in his hand as he ran up to the car and he hurled it with murderous intent at the driver's side window.

He saw the husband's face as the rock smashed through the tempered glass, sending thousands of sparkling fragments in all directions.

The husband raised a small dark object as Roger, heedless of his injuries, reached through the crumbling remnants of the window and grabbed him by the collar while punching him with his good hand.

Roger heaved back attempting to pull the husband out through the shattered window only to be thwarted by the seat belt.

He proceeded to smash his fist into the man's face repeatedly while the wife screamed as her husband was getting pounded by Roger's hard fist.

There was a loud 'pop' and Roger felt a burning in his abdomen as the bullet entered his body.

He staggered back, clutching his abdomen as the husband raised his pistol for the finishing shot.

There was a piercing screech as Dena leapt into the car and attacked the husband with all her might.

Using only her natural weapons, her hands and feet, she tore into the husband in her unholy rage.

The man had attacked her and her friends, and no one attacked her friends without getting severely punished!

Roger collapsed as his strength left him, his abdomen bleeding profusely.

This was very bad.

He lay curled up in a fetal position, clutching at his stomach trying to ease the pain.

Dena's screaming seemed to come from far away as she screamed at the husband.

He felt her tiny hands clutching at his face as she cried, "Dornt ye gae a'dyin' oan me, please dornt die oan all ay us!."

He thought he heard a siren's wail as it approached.

An eternity later, tires screeched to a halt and doors slammed open as he heard many voices speaking in police and EMT jargon.

Strong hands gently lifted him onto a flat, slightly yielding surface.

A mask went over his face and suddenly his breathing became much easier, he grew sleepy and after a valiant struggle, he allowed the darkness to claim him.

Roger's dreams were of being hustled through traffic with horns blaring and sirens wailing, of more hands lifting him onto a cold, flat surface under glaring lights, with strangely dressed masked beings poking and prodding him.

Another mask went over his face and darkness claimed him once more.

He lay in the womb, wrapped in the warm darkness, neither feeling nor caring, the world of grim reality was far, far away.

A beautiful, pale skinned, flaxen haired woman came into his dreams, she stood by his bed, her face sad.

He smiled at her and asked, "Why are you so sad? Such a lovely face should be smiling."

She smiled at him, though her eyes remained sad.

Her beautiful lips parted and she said, "You will die if I don't do this. No one knows I'm here. They are all asleep."

Her perfect lips parted and he saw long, needle like fangs emerging from her gums. She bit her own lips with her sharp fangs, the redness of her blood shockingly apparent against her pale skin.

She leaned over him and took his face into her delicate hands and murmured, "I am giving you the gift that was taken from me, Life."

She pressed her bloodied lips against his upturned mouth.

Roger could feel the velvety softness of her lips kissing his, he tasted her blood as their tongues touched and danced together.

Her marvelous lips lingered against his and he remembered who she was.

Anna Karlsen, popular author of Gothic romance novels. AKA Anastasia Karloff, 260 year old vampire.

She had come up from Los Angeles, California to give him a rose kiss by special permission of her majesty Henrietta Maria, queen of the hidden realm.

Their lips parted reluctantly and she smiled again.

This time the smile went all the way up to her bright blue eyes, she was no longer sad.

Roger slipped back into his velvety womb and slept soundly.

He would live.

Roger was awakened when he was transferred from a gurney to a bed in the convalescent ward, he was no longer in danger of dying so he was transferred to the less critical level of care.

He groggily looked around and saw Ildico all garbed up in her uniform.

He managed a weak smile and a "Hello! How long was I out?"

Ildico finished tucking him into bed and replied, "You were out almost two weeks, it was pretty touch and go at first. The wound should have been mortal, but somehow you pulled through."

Ildico smiled slightly and said, "Sasha's healing nicely too. The car clipped her pretty good and broke one of her legs. She has a soft cast on and the vet says it can come off in a couple of more weeks."

Roger smiled as he took in all the news and asked, "How is everyone at the house, Freya and Dena and all?"

Ildico smiled and said, "Freya took it pretty hard and I doubt if she got any real sleep until you were out of the Critical care Unit. Dena didn't do much better, she was always begging me to bring her here so she could see you. I had to put my foot down because how could I explain her?

"A two foot tall woman would create quite a stir and I just couldn't allow her to disrupt things with her presence. A friend of yours named Anna came up from Los Angeles and is staying at your house."

Roger digested this bit of news and asked, "What about that couple who went after Sasha?"

Ildico chuckled and said, "Dena messed him up pretty badly, his looks are gone now no more wealthy playboy image for him. He's also in jail, the judge set a really high bail for him because he was a flight risk. His wife is back in Europe now, seeing him getting a severe beating from a living doll like Dena was too much for her."

Ildico smiled crookedly and said wryly, "By the way, the whole damn world knows about Sasha and Dena now. Some are claiming they are a hoax, while others are railing on about how Ragnarok is happening now because Sasha is actually Fenris in disguise."

Roger chuckled softly and remarked, "I have it on good faith that Fenris is alive and living up in Canada, surrounded by his offspring and many Jotun children. He is Sasha's father by the way."

He looked thoughtful and commented, "I imagine the neighborhood is now crawling with nosy journalist types, all looking for a story. Sorry about that!"

Ildico grinned and remarked, "Most of us have kept our mouths shut. Our neighborhood is none of their business. Though I am afraid Freya has attracted a lot of attention because of her looks and her size."

She looked him in the eye and asked, "You are aware of her looks aren't you? Some men can be pretty dense when it comes to the women in their lives."

Roger rolled his blue-grey eyes and replied, "I am only too aware of her looks. I see the men at the mall and other places we go all checking her out. I realize that a lot of it is due to her size, being a giantess living in Lilliput, she stands out. That whole Norse goddess look of hers also attracts attention as well. Yes, I am only too aware of her looks."

Roger fell silent for a moment and asked, "When will I get to see her and everyone else?"

Ildico smiled at him and replied, "Dr. Sadat will be examining you this afternoon and if she likes how you're progressing, you could be out of here fairly soon."

She grinned and said, "I'll let Freya know you're awake and ready to receive visitors."

Roger smiled at her, he was feeling a little sleepy now and Ildico smiled back at him as he drifted off to the land of Nod.

Hours later he was awakened again, this time it was Dr. Anwari Sadat.

She came into his room with a smile on her pretty face. "Good afternoon Mr. Tate, and how are we feeling today?"

Roger smiled slightly and replied, " "We" are tired of being here and would like to go home."

She smiled back at him and replied, "And I, would love to send you home to your family, but only after I am satisfied with your progress."

Roger grinned, "Fair enough, how am I doing?"

She looked at her laptop screen, studying his medical files for a few moments then said, "To tell you the truth Roger, you should have died. The wound was essentially mortal and we were losing you, yet somehow you pulled a fast one and came back to us. If I believed in the supernatural, I'd say it was an act of God or a miracle at the very least."

She opened up his hospital gown and examined the wound with gentle hands.

After a minute or so, she excused herself and typed away rapidly for a few moments while muttering, "You're recovering very nicely Mr. Tate and I think you'll be able to be released to home care by this Thursday."

She smiled at him and said teasingly, "Of course you can always stay here and continue to enjoy our hospitality and our five star cuisine."

Roger chuckled and retorted, "As charming as some of your staff can be, this isn't my idea of a vacation. I miss my girls, all three of them."

She raised one luxurious eyebrow and said, "Three girls?"

"Yep!" He grinned, "There's Freya, the main reason I'm here in Portland. Dena, who's one amazing little lady and last, but certainly not least is Sasha who loves nothing more than a good scratching and a warm hearth to sleep on."

"Sasha's a wolf."

"Let's not be clouding up the issue with facts, Sasha's a girl, all covered with fur!" retorted Roger with an infectious grin.

Dr. Sadat smiled at him and replied cheerfully, "Okay, you win! How can I deny the logic of your argument." as she rolled her expressive eyes.

She closed up her laptop, smiled and said cheerfully, "I'll call your home and let them know you are awake and can receive visitors. Though I do insist they be limited to family only."

"Fair enough and thanks Doc!" Replied Roger with a smile.

Dr. Sadat left the room and he drifted off to sleep again.

Waking up from a nap, Roger glanced over and saw Freya quietly sitting in a too small chair, her towering frame barely supported by the flimsy bit of folding furniture.

He smiled at her, she looked exhausted from a lack of sleep and her normally neat braids were frayed.

Her bright blue eyes dimmed by her fatigue. "Hello beautiful!" he said, "I've missed you."

He reached for her and she stepped across the room and into his arms.

For a long moment neither of them spoke, they lacked the words to express their feelings.

Roger squeezed his young giantess, for that was what she was, a giantess.

He finally murmured, "I have missed you terribly. Not being at home, not having you simply nearby has become so wearisome. I want to come home and simply be with those I love."

Freya squeezed him and murmured, "Ah was sae scared, Ah thooght Ah woods lose ye, we aw thooght we woods lose ye."

She straightened up slightly and smiled weakly, "Ah huvnae slept in mony days jist warryin' aboot ye. Ah coodnae see ye 'cause th' doctor said ye war tae sick tae hae visitors."

Roger reached up and caressed her soft cheek, he smiled and said quietly. "When you get back home and after you've told everyone I'm okay and wanting to come home. I want you to drink up a cup of your mom's sleepy tea and get some sleep. You're exhausted and that's not a good thing."

Freya smiled at him and replied, "Ah wull, noo 'at Ah hae seen ye fur meself, an' Ah'll relay yer message tae th' others."

She leaned over him and kissed him with exquisite tenderness, her soft lips lingering against his.

She broke off the kiss sooner than he would have liked and said softly, "Ah really missed ye too an' Ah am sae glad tae see yer healin' up an' Ah wull tell th' others Ah saw ye today."

They squeezed each other once again and she gave him another kiss, then she left before either one could blurt out what they both really wanted to say to each other.

The next day, Roger needed to get some air so he pressed the button to summon a nurse.

Moments later the bright eyed young Filipina who worked the afternoon and evening shift came into his room with a big smile on her pretty face.

"How can I help you Mr. Tate?" She said cheerfully.

Roger smiled at her and said playfully,"First of all, my name's Roger, not Mister, Mister Tate was my dad and I'm just Roger."

She smiled and replied cheerfully, "Okay, Roger it is. Even though it is hospital policy to address patients as Mister, Miss, Mrs. and so forth."

Roger winked at her and said with a grin, "Tell them I made you do it and you did register a complaint, which I blatantly ignored to your great distress!"

She giggled and said merrily, "Okay, now what can I do for you?"

Roger smiled and said, "What I'd like is some fresh air, can you snag a wheelchair since I'm not allowed outside this room without one? I just want to go outside and breathe actual air, not this filtered beyond all recognition stuff."

She stood for a moment with her almond shaped eyes looking up and to one side, a rather cute expression Roger thought.

Small wonder why she was so popular among the patients on this floor.

She grinned at him and said brightly, "I'll be right back!" and she scurried out of the room.

While she was away, Roger got out of his bed and stepped into his slippers and pulled on his terry cloth bathrobe.

Moments later, the door opened and she came in pushing a wheelchair.

On its seat lay a folded up blanket, which she removed so he could sit.

As he settled into the chair's seat she carefully draped the blanket over his shoulders and tucked it into place.

Moments later, they were wheeling past the nurse's station with Roger stoutly declaring, "I'm making her take me outside, I need some air!"

Soon they were sitting outside in the garden enjoying the afternoon sun.

Roger rose from the chair and strolled about the garden under the watchful eye of the young nurse.

He paused to admire some bushes and heard the familiar piccolo of a voice coming from under the bush.

"Well, it's abit time ye cam ootside ay thes buildin'!" Roger hunkered down and soon had his arms full of a very curvaceous wood wife named Dena.

She squeezed herself against him with surprising strength and sprinkled his lips, face and neck with her kisses, leaving behind droplets of moisture from her tears of joy.

Roger felt his own eyes getting moist as he squeezed his tiny friend and happily received her many kisses.

A few moments later he heard the young nurse exclaim, "Are you alright, mister Tate? What's that you have there?"

Roger parted his lips from Dena's and said, "I am perfectly fine Miss Basa, in fact I am wonderful now!"

The nurse saw Dena's tiny form in his arms and asked, "Is that a doll? Where did you find her and were you kissing her just now?"

Roger smiled at her and replied, "This is my very dear friend Dena. I didn't find her, she was waiting for me and yes, we were kissing because we do that to express our affection for each other."

The pretty young nurse smiled and was about to reply when Dena said, "Ah've bin waitin' oot haur fer mah mukker tae cam ootside thes buildin'. Freya brooght me haur an' is awaitin' fer me tae finish gabbin' wi' Roger haur."

The nurse's face became a study in surprise when she realized that the "Doll" had spoken to her and was now standing before her with a smile on her elfin face.

There was a long moment of silence as the nurse took in the vision of a two foot tall wood wife with tip tilted bright blue eyes and golden hair.

She had pointed ears, prominent cheek bones and ripe, kissable lips.

Dressed in browns and greens fashioned into an outfit that emphasized her curvy little figure.

A sexy little elf was Dena, the wood wife.

The nurse stuck one hand against her pretty mouth and bit down on her knuckle and when she found her voice again, it came out as a hoarse whisper. " Oh, my, God! Is she for real? She is sooo cuute!"

She looked at Roger with wonder in her eyes and said,"I'd heard that you live in a very unusual house. Freya I knew about 'cause my cousin goes to school with her. And I've seen her here when she was visiting you while you were in a medically induced coma. She would visit you and just sit near you, sometimes she would sing to you in an unknown language. She has a really good singing voice by the way."

The nurse hunkered down and extended her hand, "My name is Josefina Basa, you can call me Josie, all my friends do."

Dena smiled and shook hands with her, "Me name is Dena, simply Dena. Me friends ur those Ah allow tae see me."

Josie straightened up again and after glancing at her watch, said glumly, "I hate to be the meanie here, but I do have to take him back to his room. "

She smiled and said sadly, "Sorry, but those are the hospital's rules, not mine."

Moments later, Freya's towering form came into the garden and she embraced Roger, holding him very closely to her growing bosom, his head between her swelling breasts.

Roger squeezed her as best he could with his injured arm still healing.

With quite a lump in his throat he looked up at his young giantess and said reluctantly, "Josie's right, I do need to get back inside where it's warm."

Freya looked down at him and smiled slightly before stooping and planting a lingering kiss on his lips.

In turn, Roger scooped up Dena and kissed her too.

Josie giggled and said, "I feel like I'm missing out with all this kissing going on...I'm gonna have to kiss my boyfriend twice as much tonight!"

They all shared a laugh and Freya scooped up Dena while admonishing her, "Yoo'll be verra quiet oan th' bus back haem. We've had too mony people a pryin' an' a snoopin' ay late!"

Dena merely stuck her tiny pink tongue out at her giant sized companion.

Moments later, they were out of sight.

Josie cleared her throat noisily and pointed at the wheel chair. Roger smiled and did as he was told.

Moments later, they were rolling past the nurses station with Roger declaring cheerfully, "I tried to make a break for it, but she was too quick for me!"

He had quickly established himself as being the resident 'character' on that floor.