It would be C, as the referee is not counted as a player and if it had hit him and gone out of play then play would restart with a throw in or goal kick to the opposition. So as no one else had touched the ball you'd be guilty of playing the ball a second time without another player touching the ball.

There's no reason to give ball to the opposing team ( regardless if it would be a direct or an indirect free kick - neither )

There's also no reason to restart game with a dropped ball, as the team that was in ball possession still has the ball.

So, your choices B, C and D are out of question. This means the only acceptable option that You offered is A - allow play to continue. This is probably the option that most of referees would go with.

Another possible referee decision could be to stop play and ask player to retake free kick, if referee didn't originally whistled that a player could take free kick.

Keep in mind that referee isn't considered part of game ( i.e. part of play ), no matter in which direction ball bounced after hitting him. Intentional hitting a referee with the ball is subject to punishment, most probably by sending off a player.

The player would be sent off for hitting the referee and drop ball to restart play.

none hed probably make you take the free kick again as he obstructed play .or book you for taking the free kick before he whistled

Just laugh it out and continue playing. It happens more often than you think, no big deal.

A player takes a quick free kick and the player and the ball hits the referee, who is standing 3 yards away.

The ball rebounds back to the kicker who passes it to one his/her teammates.

The referee should:

A) Allow play to continue

B) Stop play and restart with a direct free kick for the opposing team

C) Stop play and restart with indirect free kick for the opposing team

D) Stop play and restart with a dropped ball