Katja Pt. 13

Tony smiled at this wonderful lady, she was the epitome of serenity and understanding.

He bent over and kissed her cheek, "Thank you for the advice Celia, I'll ask him."

Celia smiled, then patted his arm once again. "Your more than welcome Anthony." Then she smiled, "And just remember, I'm available if you want to do the human wedding."

Meanwhile, Erik was giving Katja a hand with the kids. Really, all he did was sit there and talk to his mate, it wasn't like he could feed them. But that was enough for Katja just to have her mate with her. She got finished feeding the children, then as all the other times since last night, Brigette held her hands out smiling to her father. Her love for him evident in her eyes just as it was in her mothers' eyes.

Erik smiled, as he took her. Then he said to her, "Are you ever going to let me hold your brother kitten?" She purred as he heard, "No, daddies mine, Geoff can have mommy."

Erik grinned, "Well, don't you think mommy might want to hold you to?"

She giggled, then purred, "She holds me when she feeds me."

Katja smiled as she held her son, who was just as happy to be were he was, as Brigitte was. "They grow out of that I'm told love. Don't worry about it."

They finished up burping them both, then cleaned them up a bit before going back out to the living room. Then they put them in the playpen, so they could nap a bit.

Erik and Katja sat down and poured themselves something to drink. Erik's phone beeped, and he read the text. "They'll be delivering the sandwich platter in a few minutes." He looked at the time, it was just a little after eleven. "Jack and the girls should be here soon. I wonder if they're stopping to pick up Neko and the family."

Then about quarter after eleven, Erik heard the doorbell ring. He got up to answer it, not sure if it was Jack or the delivery guy from the deli.

He opened the door and smiled, it was both. He gave the delivery guy a tip and told Jack and the family to come in. They followed him in and everyone greeted them as Erik put the tray on the Kitchen table for now.

He came back out and shook Jacks hand, then gave Maria and Lucy a hug and kiss on the cheek. Erik smiled, "I thought you were stopping to pick up Jonny and his family?"

Lucy smiled, "Jonny said he would be over later, they're coming over by shuttle bus along with some others from the ship."

Then Lucy saw Celia coming out from the bathroom, she smiled as she ran over, "Celia, you're here."

Celia laughed, and caught her up in a big hug. "How are you my dear? I missed you."

Lucy grinned, "I'm well, I missed you too."

Then they walked over to greet Jack and Maria. The all hugged each other saying how much they missed one another.

Then Maria grinned, "So, how are you Katja? You look well, I expected you to be a little worn out."

Katja smiled, "Yes, I'm fine. Like I've told everyone else that asked, we don't get the same after effects humans do."

Then Lucy came to her smiling, "Congratulations big sister." Then she hugged her around the waist. "I love you."

Katja grinned, "Thank you little sister. I love you also." Then she bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek, which Lucy returned.

Then Lucy smiled as Erik said, "Gee, don't I get hug also?"

Lucy laughed and ran over to him to jump into his arms. Erik laughed as she hugged him around the neck and kissed his cheek. "We missed you little sister." Then holding her with one arm, he kissed her cheek also.

They all sat down, then Erik heard, "Daddy, who's that you just hugged?" Erik smiled, he thought he detected a slight pout in her voice.

He walked over to the playpen, and looked to see his daughter did indeed have a slight, pouty look. He smiled at her and picked her up cradling her to him. The pouty look went away and her smile returned. "That's our little sister Lucy, kitten." Then he said so only she could hear, "Don't be jealous kitten, you're my little girl and I love you."

Brigitte snuggled up closer and purred loudly, happy that all was right in her world. And of course, that daddy was still hers alone.

Erik grinned, "Lucy, please come here, I want to introduce you to my daughter."

Lucy grinned, "Ok, Erik." She walked over and smiled at Brigitte, "Hello Brigitte, I'm Lucy." She smiled, "Your very pretty, just like my big sister Katja, your mommy."

Then Lucy's eyes went wide as Brigitte grinned at her and she heard, "Hello Lucy, your pretty too."

Lucy looked up at Erik, "How...?"

Erik smile and stroked Lucy's head, "We don't know hon." Then he grinned, "We thought you might know, being Priestess and all."

Lucy blushed, then grinned, "I don't think they've taught me that yet."

Erik laughed, "That's alright love, we'll figure it out. Come and meet Geoff." They walked over to were Katja stood holding Geoff, and talking to Maria and Jack.

Katja smiled, "Little sister, come and meet our son Geoff. Geoff this is Lucy, our little sister. Lucy, this is Geoff."

Lucy smiled and Geoff responded with one of his own. Then she said, "Geoff, it is nice to meet you. You're handsome like your daddy."

Geoff grinned, then Lucy heard, "Hello Lucy, you're pretty like your mommy. If you are mommy's and daddy's sister, are you my aunt also?"

Lucy grinned from ear to ear, "Well, sort of, I guess, but why don't you just call me Lucy. Since I think we'll be seeing a lot of each other one day, it might be easier."

Geoff giggled and purred as he thought to her. "Ok, I like that. Did you see my tail? Daddy doesn't have one, but mommy does."

Katja grinned at her, "He's very proud of his tail, since no one else that looks like him he's seen, has one."

Lucy giggled, "Yes Geoff, I did see it, it's a very nice tail. Your sister has a nice one to."

Geoff smiled, "Yes she does, but she always ends up sticking it in my ear when we sleep. Do you know how make her stop?"

Lucy giggled, "No, I'm sorry Geoff, I don't. Did you ask her?"

"I did, but she still does. She says it's not her fault, it just happens."

Lucy grinned, "Well, maybe it will stop once she gets a little older."

Geoff replied, "I hope so, she keeps waking me up when she does."

Lucy, Katja, and Erik talked for a bit, then Erik asked, "So, what did you need to come over for Lucy?"

Lucy lost her grin and replied, "Briast requested I come to help bless them both. I think it's a kind of test of what I've been taught so far."

Katja nodded, "Do you want to do that that now Lucy? Before they get hungry again and take a nap afterwards."

Lucy nodded, "Ok, why don't we go into their bedroom?" She looked a little nervous, "I think I'd rather do it without an audience, I'm a little a nervous."

Celia smiled and came up to her and hugged her. "Don't worry dear one, I'll be with you in case you need help."

Lucy smile up at her, "Thank you Celia. It's just this is the first time I've done anything."

Celia stroked her hair, "I understand, I was the same way the first time."

Erik and Katja picked up the children and then they, Celia and Lucy went into their bedroom.

Erik held his daughter and Katja her son. Lucy stood in front of them and closed her eyes, her lips moving silently as she communicated with Briast. Celia smiled serenely standing over to the side observing her.

Then Lucy smiled, and came closer to put a hand gently on each of the children's head. She smiled again, "In the name of the Goddess Briast, I bless these two children and their parents. May you always know love. May you always have health. May you always have wisdom."

Lucy felt a presence and she smiled as she felt the touch of the Goddess. She raised her arms and clapped her hands together and felt the Goddess hold her hands in Hers. Power flowed through her and she saw a blue-gold nimbus form around her hands. She placed one glowing hand on each child. "And may you always know the Goddess Briast, little ones, now and forever."

The glow from her hands expanded, and it engulfed her, the children, and Erik and Katja.

Erik, Katja and the children felt the power and love of the Goddess course through them.

Lucy lowered her shaking arms, then she was in the Goddesses embrace. Then they all heard, "Congratulations Priestess, you have passed the first test perfectly like I knew you would. You may now call yourself Priestess." Then they heard a lilting laugh, "Still a young one, but Priestess none the less. Which is proper for a young Goddess like Myself."

Then Lucy felt Her embrace and her whole being shuddered and pulsed. Then She said to her, "Priestess, please bring out the symbols of my teachers and hold them together."

Lucy pulled out the symbols of the Lady Brigit and Mother Bast. She held them together in one closed hand. She watched as her hand glowed with a golden nimbus, grow hot, then cooled.

Then they heard, "Open your hand Priestess." Lucy did, as was astonished to see the two items melded together into one. The Brigit's cross Celia had given her, now had Bast's head in the center of it. It was also made out of gleaming gold now instead of the silver it was before.

Lucy's eyes went wide and smiled as she said, "Thank you Goddess, it beautiful."

The heard, "You are welcome priestess, this is my symbol now. But you will also be able to use it the call on my teachers still. We both still have things to learn and we will learn them together so we will be ready when the time is right."

"I wish all here peace, love, and happiness always. And know that I'm your Goddess also, so be not afraid to call on me."

They all felt Her embrace and kiss, then she was gone. They all felt a little empty at first, but they knew she was still with them.

Then they all smiled and congratulated Lucy being named Priestess. Celia came over and hugged her. "My dear Lucy, you did wonderful. That was a perfect blessing rite, you should be proud of yourself."

Lucy smiled, but felt a little tired, "Thank you Celia, is it normal to feel really tired afterwards?"

Celia smiled again, "Yes love, when you bless someone like you did, part of the power comes from you. But it passes quickly, especially when your young." She grinned, "It takes me a little longer now that I'm older."

She stroked her face, "You should get a little something to eat and drink, that helps you recuperate faster."

Erik handed Brigitte to Katja, then came over to Lucy. He smiled and took a knee, then took hold of Lucy's hand, "Thank you Priestess for the blessing, we appreciate it." He kissed her hand, then hugged an embarrassed Lucy.

Then Lucy giggled, "Thank you Erik." He stood, then went back to Katja who handed the children to him. Then she came over and knelt before her, and with tears in her eyes said to her, "I thank you Priestess for the blessing." She kissed first one cheek, then the other. Then she smiled as she caught Lucy up in a hug and said, "I love you little sister, I'm so proud of you."

Lucy hugged her back, "Thank you big sister, I love you to."

Then Katja said, "I think I'll feed the children, then we'll be out. You should let your mother and father know that your now considered a Priestess, I'm sure they'll be proud of you as much as we are."

Lucy smiled, "Ok, I'll do that." Then she grinned, "I can't wait to see the look on Jonny's face when he comes over in a bit."

Katja grinned, "I'm sure he'll be happy for you both."

Erik stayed to give Katja a hand and Celia and Lucy went out to the living room.

Ariel smiled as they came out, she could see that Lucy seemed a little older or at least that was all she could call it. They had all felt the presence of the Goddess and felt that something important had happened.

Celia led her over to her parents and smile, "Jack, Maria, I'm proud to say that Lucy has passed her first test. She is now a Priestess." She grinned, "Granted, she'll have many more tests along the way as she learns more. But she preformed the blessing flawlessly, it was perfect and powerful. The Goddess is most pleased with her and called her Priestess."

Jack and Maria smiled, they were happy that their daughter had passed her first test. Jack stood and picked her up to hug and kiss her. "I'm so proud of you Lucy, I love you.'

Lucy smiled as she hugged him back. "Thank you daddy, I love you too."

Then it was Maria's turn, she also hugged and kissed her daughter. "I love you to baby, I'm so happy for you." She brushed her hair back to kiss her forehead, and saw a faint impression of lips on it. Like someone had kissed her wearing lipstick. She looked at it and saw that it was a mark. She looked at Celia, and asked, "Celia, what's this?"

Celia looked and smiled, "That's just where the Goddess kissed her. It marks Lucy as hers, it will fade in a couple hours. We're all marked like that when we're accepted, once it fades, only other Priests and Priestesses will see it and know she is one of them." She grinned, "Mine is on my cheek where Brigit kissed me."

Maria smiled now that it was explained and she understood. She kissed Lucy in the exact spot and it glowed gently as she did.

She put Lucy down and Celia said, "I need to take her to the kitchen and get her a little something to eat and drink so she can get her strength back."

Maria looked concerned, "Is she alright?"

Celia grinned and nodded, "Certainly, the rite she did took a little out of her. Once she learns a little more it won't be as bad." She smiled, "Lucy put a lot of herself into the blessing, that happens when your young. It's nothing that something to eat and drink doesn't take care of."

Maria nodded her understanding, then joined them to go into the kitchen.

Katja and Erik finished feeding the children, burped them and put them down for a nap. They figured it was going to get a little busy after lunch with people coming over. Once they left, Cleo, took up her guardian position once again to watch over the little ones. They smiled at her and Erik stroked her head saying "Thanks Cleo." Cleo purred pushing her head against his hand and half closed her eyes.

They went out to the living room and smiled as they saw Lucy working through a sandwich and an iced tea like she was starving. They grabbed some themselves and sat down to eat and talk with the rest of them.

Then a little while after they finished, the doorbell rang and Erik got up to answer it. He smiled, it was uncle Geoff, Victoria, Helen and Azlan. He greeted them all with a hug, kiss or handshake, then brought them in saying, "There should be some food left help yourselves." Then he grinned, "That is if the Priestess is done and left anything."

Lucy looked up and smiled at him, "I'm done, two of them filled me up. I feel better know."

Erik laughed and stroke Lucy's head, "Eat all you want love, we can always get or make more."

Geoff smiled, "Victoria and I are good, we've already had lunch. But I will take one of the ice teas you always have around."

Erik poured two glasses full and handed them to him and Victoria. Then he smiled, "I afraid the kids are asleep again, so you'll have to wait a bit. The should be up in the next half hour, they just finished their lunch."

Then he grinned, "I also understand there's a van coming loaded with people to visit."

Geoff grinned and nodded, "Yes, you understand correctly. But don't worry, I told them to limit the amount of people. Besides, Neko and his family." He smiled at Lucy, "Since they're more or less family."

Lucy smiled at him, "Thank you mister Geoff."

Geoff nodded to her grinning, "The rest are representatives of the crew. Neko for the seniors and various others from each other group. Oh, and the van is filled with presents for the children also."

Katja smiled and shook her head. Geoff smiled back saying, "They heard about a human custom called a "baby shower" and they thought this was a good custom. So, they all contributed to get the children some things." Then he laughed, "I don't think it got too out of hand. Much."

Victoria and Helen laughed at the look on Katja and Erik's faces. Then Helen commented, "Don't worry, they asked Victoria and myself on what kind of things to get. Allie sort of got the idea when she asked us about it when she heard us talking about it last week." Helen laughed, "We thought we were going to have another couple of weeks, we were planning on surprising you this weekend."

Then Victoria laughed adding, "However, you surprised us giving birth before we could surprise you."

Erik shook his head grinning, then turned to Katja, "I think I may have to order some more food kitten. It sounds like we're having an unplanned party."

Katja smiled back, "I think your right love."

Uncle Geoff smiled shaking his head, "Don't bother, they're bringing refreshments also."

They all laughed and started talking among each other waiting for the party to show up.

Cleo heard the laughter from the other room. Humans certainly like to make a big thing of a simple matter liking having young. But that was alright, from what she heard, it seemed to be a human tradition. Tradition was important. Then her ears popped up as she heard the little one's wake. She got up and padded over to the... crib she heard Katja call it. That was a funny word and she didn't know why it was called that.

She stood on her back legs with her front paws on the sides to look into it. Then she heard, "Hello Cleo. How are you?"

Cleo purred and said back, "Hello Geoff, I am fine. Did you have a good sleep?"

Geoff purred back to her, "Yes I did, I always do after mommy feeds us."

Cleo purred again, "Yes, that's a good thing, it helps you grow. Growing takes a lot out of one."

Then they both heard Brigitte say sort of half awake, "Hello Cleo."

Cleo purred answering her back, "Hello Brigitte, did you have a good sleep also?"

Brigitte purred back to her, "Umm, yes I did." Then she moved and stretched. "What's all the noise?"

Cleo purred, "Your mother and father have people over, the same ones that were her yesterday. But I believe some more are also coming to see you two."

Then Geoff asked, "Why are so many people coming to see us?"

Cleo reached through and patted his arm, "It's seems to be a human tradition to make a fuss over a new litter. They are happy to meet you two and are happy for your mother and father."

She thought for a moment, "I seem to remember humans making a fuss over me and my litter mates also."

Then Brigitte answered, "Oh, well I guess that's important. I don't understand it all, but I liked meeting the people earlier. And Lucy was very nice."

Cleo purred, "Yes she is, she always plays with me when she comes to visit. She always smells very nice."

Geoff giggled, "Yes, she seemed very nice, she liked my tail."

Brigitte giggled, "You just like her because she liked your tail brother."

Geoff purred, "Not really, I agree with Cleo, she also smelled nice, I liked her voice, and she was pretty." He giggled again, "Not as pretty as you sister, but pretty like her mother and aunt Helen and Victoria."

Brigitte purred and snuggled up to her brother, "Thank you Geoff, do you really think I'm pretty?"

Geoff purred back, "Yes you are, you look like mommy and she's very pretty."

Brigitte purred back, "Well you nice looking like daddy, plus you have a very nice tail."

They both purred and laughed, then Cleo said to them, "I will go and let you mother know you are awake."

She got down and padded into the living room to jump up on the couch between Erik and Katja. "Katja, the little ones are awake."

Katja smiled and stroked Cleo's head, "Thank you Cleo, we'll go and get them. More people are coming to visit."

Cleo purred and pushed her head into Katja's hand, "Yes, I know. I heard you talking about it. Is the little one Gesa coming over too? She's fun and knows how to play."