Monday
The thunder followed Abraham like a faithful hound as he cantered through the woods. There was someone in amongst the trees, someone who should not be here, he could sense them coming nearer.
He abruptly pulled on the reins, bringing Daredevil to a sliding halt causing him to rear up on his hind legs before snorting to show he did not appreciate his master's sudden command.
He jumped down from his saddle, a heavy thud sounded as his boots met the ground. He narrowed his eyes, scouting through the darkness as he deftly moved through the trees.
Whoever was out there, they were close and moving towards him.
They must have some kind of death wish.
He hid behind a tree, waiting for them to get close enough for him to strike. He listen as the sound of hurried footsteps approached, the sound of twigs snapping grew louder and louder until he jumped from out of his hiding spot, grabbing the stranger by the front of their shirt and pinned them against the tree.
He raised his axe, ready to give this stranger the fright of their life to deter them from coming back.
'Azrael? You're alive?'
Abraham wasn't sure, out of the two of them, who was more surprised.
'You know me?'
'It's me' the stranger said as if the answer was obvious 'Zadkiel…your favourite little brother'.
Brother?
This man was an angel?
'You know, the way you're grabbing me…it's actually starting to hurt'. Zadkiel complained, squirming slightly in the horseman's grip.
'What are you doing here?'
'I was looking for Phanuel'.
'Why?' the horseman asked, tightening his grip.
'I haven't seen her in ten thousand years, I thought I was a little overdue for a visit. I obviously wasn't expecting to see you'.
'And how do I know you're who you say you are?'
'What? Have you lost your memories or something' Zadkiel asked sarcastically but when the horseman just stared at him with no recognition in his eyes 'oh, you have. Just take me to our sister, she'll tell you who I am'.
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'Zadkiel?' Anastasia called out in astonishment as she entered the cool midnight air.
'Told you' he whispered smugly to Abraham before walking over to Anastasia. 'Big sis…' he hugged her tightly. 'Wow girl, what have you been eating' he asked, looking down at her four month pregnancy bump.
'I'm pregnant, Zadkiel'
He pointed at Anastasia then at Abraham before returning back to her.
'Huh, who knew you had it in you, Azrael' his eyebrows suddenly shot upon delight 'hey, that means I'm gonna be an uncle'.
'What are you doing here?' she asked, still not quite believing their younger brother was standing in front of her.
'I'm gonna be completely honest with you, sis. I may be in a little trouble with the humans, they are so touchy these days. If they had seen an angel a thousand years ago they would have proclaimed it a miracle, now they just want to ship you to Area fifty-one, dissect us and hang our wings on the wall as a trophy'.
'First, you are being dramatic, an angel has never been dissected nor had their wings on display like some taxidermy pigeon at the natural history museum. Second, if an angel was caught on camera, it would all be over social media. And third if that was the case why not just go back home?'
'Damn, you are really good at unraveling a lie. I've clearly been hanging out with the humans for too long…' he took a deep sigh 'I wasn't going to tell you this. I admit, even I am slightly ashamed of my behaviour. I may have been involved with some money laundering'.
'That's against the law'.
'That's exactly what the humans said and when I tried to explain that it was a law for men and not angels…well, they didn't take too kindly to that. And then there's the sex and drugs, honestly if dad didn't want us doing this stuff, why did he make so addictive?'
She sighed and pinched her nose.
'You can't get addicted to drugs'.
'No, not to the substance. To the adrenaline, the excitement. I mean let's face it, us angels haven't been seeing a lot of action since old J.C got crucified and there's only so much you can do in the land of sunshine, lollipops and rainbows'. Zadkiel laughed.
'So you decided to become the rebellious son two-point O?'
'You really think I'm better than Lucifer?'
'How long have you been doing this?'
'Not long, about a thousand years' he shrugged 'look I just need to lay low for a while, hide myself away from dad and his judgment'.
'Father is omnipresent'.
'When did you become such a buzzkill? Is it because you're gonna be a mum? Is this your mum-mode?'
'May we have a moment to discuss this'
'Oh sure, talk amongst yourselves' Zadkiel nodded.
Both the older siblings turned their backs on Zadkiel for some privacy.
'Okay, listen. Zadkiel is like a lost puppy if we feed him now he'll never go away. We need to be ruthless and just plainly tell him "no". Agreed?' she whispered.
Abraham nodded before they both turned around to face the younger angel.
'Zadkiel…' a moment went by 'of course you can stay'.
'Thank you, sis' he hugged her 'brother' he opened his arms to hug Abraham but quickly chose not because of his uninviting scowl 'you're just how I remember you, Azrael' Zadkiel smiled, patting Abraham on the arm. 'Oh, by the way, if Uriel happens to show up looking for me, tell her I'm not here. In fact, it's probably best just to tell her I'm dead'.
'Why?'
'Reasons' the younger angel answered, looking rather shifty as he kept his eyes fixed to the ground.
'Fine. Go inside'. She gestured towards the house.
He nodded and ran to the door as if his siblings were suddenly going to change their minds.
Anastasia turned to face her husband and shrugged.
'He is our younger brother'.
'You, my darling, are as bout as ruthless as a kitten'. He chuckled as she did the same.
'We better get in there before he breaks something'.
'He's only been in there for twenty seconds'.
'You clearly don't remember our brother'.
She placed her hand in his, pulling him indoors, finding Zadkiel had not moved beyond the hallway.
'Okay, I have questions but namely this; what happened to Azrael's head?' he asked.
'It was cut off during the revolutionary war'.
'Bad luck for you, brother. But that does answer the question about the whole uniform thing, I honestly thought it was some kind of kink. So, how is it he's still alive? Last I heard he was killed by Moloch'.
'He was, but he was somehow transformed into the Horseman of Death'.
'I guess that makes sense. Who did the transforming? Was it dad?'
'We don't know'
Abraham rolled his eyes and huffed.
'We don't, Azrael'.
Zadkiel hummed, his eyes darting back and forth from one older sibling to the other.
'Clearly there are some daddy issues here'.
'Come on' Anastasia said 'I'll give you a tour of the house'.
Tuesday
'I'm bored'. Zadkiel complained, he was sprawled out on the living room couch.
'You've only been here for nine hours'.
'And they've dragged. Let's go up town, show me the sights'.
'I thought you wanted to lay low, away from Father's wrath'.
'That was before I knew how boring it was going to be. Besides in your own words "Father is omnipresent"'. He mimicked her.
She rolled her eyes.
Little brothers could be so immature.
'Fine. Go get your coat'.
'Wait' her husband said but Zadkiel was already darting out the room 'I don't think it's safe for you to be going out, darling'.
'I think you forget, I am quite literally one of the most powerful beings ever to be created. And if it helps put your mind at ease, I have Zadkiel keeping me company'.
The horseman looked over to where Zadkiel was studying himself in the hallway mirror, running his fingers through his hair before finally winking at himself.
'It doesn't' he deadpanned.
Anastasia smiled, kissing him reassuringly.
'We'll only be an hour, hour and a half tops'.
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Anastasia had her arm looped around Zadkiel's own, as they walked through the park.
Parents were walking their children to school and there was a cool breeze in the early spring air but the sun was shining bright.
'Did you really launder money for a millennia?'
'Yeah, you've heard of Robin Hood, right?'
'You're claiming to be Robin Hood?' she looked up at him with ridicule.
'I'm not claiming to be, I am. The whole steal from the rich to give to the poor, that was me. I have lots of stories to tell the little one, how I saved Little John from the Sheriff's dungeons or the time Friar Tuck hid me under his robes so we could sneak past the guards and into the Sheriff's private quarters. We stole not only his gold but also his undergarments' he laughed at the memory 'he got so mad. My face was plastered on wanted posters from Nottingham all the way down to Dover'.
'Why did you do it? It couldn't have just been for the fun of it'.
'I figured someone should look after the little guy' Zadkiel shrugged 'and since dad was no longer cutting it'.
'What do you mean?'
'I don't know…it's like he retired one day without telling anyone… I think losing you and Azrael really got to him. You know he hasn't ever really been the same since that whole thing with Lucifer. And when Azrael died and you left, he became quick to anger and smiting became all the range. Sodom and Gomorrah, The flood, Egypt and all the others. Then one day, it all just stopped, it was like he no longer cared'.
'I don't think it had anything to with us, brother. Father could have saved Azrael from death but he chose not to and then he took away my wings and banished me from Eden for all eternity. Father's anguish is of his own making'.
Zadkiel looked a little taken back by her words as they entered the Main Street of the town.
'No more of this talk. We're suppose to be having fun, right?' She asked.
'You're right, sister' he smiled 'so what is there to do around here?'
'I'm not sure. I have to admit, since arriving in Sleepy Hollow, most of my time has been spent with Azrael'.
'Yes, that's rather evident' he commented, staring at her small baby bump.
She playfully nudged him as she giggled.
'What shall we do next?' Zadkiel asked as he and his sister walked out of a store with several bags in their hands 'oh, we could get coffee, let's get coffee' he was almost jumping up and down like an excited child.
'Okay, okay' she laughed 'but we must hurry. I told Azrael we wouldn't be long, I'll be amazed if he hasn't paced a hole in the floorboards'.
'Anastasia' a voice called out.
'Ichabod, it's good to see you. This is my younger brother, Zadkiel. Zadkiel this is Ichabod Crane'.
'Glad to make your acquaintance'. Ichabod greeted.
'Huh, a witness. I thought dad had stopped making them centuries ago' Zadkiel said, shaking Ichabod's hand, stepping closer as if the angel was studying him.
Anastasia pulled on the back of her brother's coat, getting him to step back from Ichabod's personal space.
'Actually I'm glad I bumped into you, I must thank you'. The witness said.
'Oh?'
'I understand that you gave the leftenant some advice about telling me of her true feelings and now we are officially courting'.
'Congratulations, Ichabod. I'm very happy for you both'.
'Thank you. And if there is anything I can do to repay you, do not hesitate to ask'.
'Actually, funny you should say that. You once offered to speak to Azrael, does it still stand?'
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Anastasia was standing at the kitchen sink, watering the orchids she had brought back from town.
'My love, I was wondering perhaps it's time you spoke with Ichabod'.
She had hoped that her husband would willingly offer to talk to his former friend at some point but apparently she had forgotten just how stubborn he could be. And although it was true that Life could not control Death, she felt as his wife, she had a little leeway to give him a nudge in the right direction.
'Please, Anastasia, not this again' he sighed from his seat at the dining table.
She went to stand behind him, her hands circled around his chest as she lowered her face next to his.
'I just thought, with me almost at the half way point in this pregnancy, perhaps it's time to put your feud with Ichabod to bed'.
'I don't want to speak of this again' he spoke softly but firmly.
'Fine' she kissed his brow and walked back over to the sink to water.
'What?' he asked confused, obviously he had expected her to put up some kind of argument.
'I said fine'.
'Good' he said suspiciously.
A few moments of silence passed by.
Anastasia quietly counted down the seconds in her mind.
Four….
Three….
Two….
One….
'What would I even say?' he asked.
She smiled.
'Just say what you believe needs to be said'.
He sighed deeply, standing up, he walked over to the sink next to Anastasia.
'I'll give him five minutes'.
'Twenty'
'Ten'.
'Fifteen'.
He narrowed his eyes and set his jaw, knowing he had lost this argument to his wife.
'You're so beautiful when you negotiate' he smirked.
She smiled seductively at his mischievous tone.
Closing the gap between them, she reached up, kissing him passionately.
'Am I interrupting?' came a voice from the doorway.
'Yes'.
'No'.
Husband and wife said simultaneously.
'No, Ichabod' she assured him 'In fact, Azrael was just saying he wanted to speak to you. So I'll leave you boys to it'.
She turned, by her husband's expression he knew this had been a setup, she gave him one more soft kiss.
'Be nice' she whispered against his lips.
'If I may, Anastasia' Ichabod said as Anastasia approached him, holding out a pink moon cactus. 'A house warming gift from me and the leftenant'.
'That's very thoughtful of you' she smiled, accepting the gift. 'Isn't it, Azrael?' Looking towards him and then back at Ichabod. 'Thank you, Ichabod'.
He bowed slightly in acknowledgment.
'Phanuel, the witness is here' Zadkiel announced loudly.
'Yes, I can see. Now, leave them be' Anastasia scolded, pulling his ear so he'd have to follow her out the room.
'Ow,ow,ow…do you have to pinch so hard?'
Zadkiel's complaints of discomfort grew fainter as he and Anastasia walked further away.
'Zadkiel, is quite the character' Ichabod said, trying to break the ice.
Abraham just stared intensely.
'Abraham, I…'
'Let's get one thing clear, Ichabod. You were my friend, my confidante, my brother and you betrayed me. But, I am willing to acknowledge that if you hadn't, I might not be with Anastasia. But that does not mend what has been broken'.
'It was never my intention to hurt you. I admit my feelings for Katrina grew whilst you were engaged but I promise you, old friend, I would never of pursued her if your marriage had proceeded. Katrina came to me and announced that she was going to call off the engagement, I had truly hoped that you would understand'.
'And then, after all that, you killed her'.
'She was no longer the Katrina I had fallen in love with. All the lies and secrets she kept hidden from me took a toll on our marriage. And after losing Henry…it became too much for her'.
'And before that? Or are you going to stand there and tell me you didn't already have feelings for the other witness?'
'The leftenant and I share a bond neither one of us had anticipated, one that grew stronger with each passing day. I was as helpless to my growing feelings towards Abbie as you were to Anastasia'.
Abraham nodded his head slowly, contemplating what his former friend had said.
'Perhaps, we both loved the wrong woman'.
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'It must have gone well, I saw Ichabod leave and he still had his head'. Anastasia said, entering the kitchen.
'I don't know what good it did'.
'Still, I'm proud of you for doing it' she kissed him softly 'I have a surprise for you, in the bedroom' she smiled.
'Oh really?' He asked, his eyes lighting up.
'It's not what you're thinking' she giggled, reaching out for his hand, she guided him up the stairs and into their room.
'Close your eyes' she instructed after positioning him in the centre of the room.
He did as he was told, listening to her move around the room, it sounded as though she was rummaging through a bag.
'Hold out your hands'.
Raising his hands, so his palms were face up, he felt a piece of material being laid in them.
'Open your eyes, my love'.
He looked down and smiled.
In his hands was a little yellow dress with an embroidered white rabbit surrounded by sunflowers at the bottom.
'Isn't it beautiful?'
'It is, darling' he admired the piece of clothing, feeling the softness of it between his fingers. 'And what if our child is a boy?' he smiled, almost as if he already knew she had obviously acquired something else.
'That's why I also bought this'.
She whipped out from behind her, a small white hoodie decorated with multi-coloured dinosaurs.
'Aren't they both so cute, I saw them in the store and I just couldn't help myself' she stood next to him, looking down at the two small pieces of clothing 'I can't wait for our child to be here'.
Wednesday
It had been five hours since Azrael had left, and Anastasia was becoming fidgety. Her libido had been sky-rocketing on and off since she had reached her second trimester. Usually it would happen whilst he was in close proximity to her but as her luck would have it, now it happens when he was out of reach.
She had found it sweet of him to go out every night, wanting to do his best to protect her and their child. But at this very minute she found it frustrating and annoying, he should be here with her, not out there looking for some imaginary enemy.
Wearing nothing but a dressing gown, she started pacing back and forth in the hallway, raising her right index finger to her lips, biting on the nail, trying to distract herself from her increasing need for her husband.
She was going crazy.
Her body was aching to feel Azrael's touch. On her skin, her lips, in between her legs.
She had never experienced hormonal changes in all her existence. Unlike their human counterparts, female angels never menstruated or go through puberty as they were created with their hormones already in balance.
But apparently that all gets thrown out the window when an angel is pregnant.
She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard Daredevil whinny rather loudly as he entered the courtyard.
Finally!
The moment her husband walked through the door, she jumped him, quite literally. She kissed him, their tongues clashing, her hands travelling southwards.
Her fingers made quick work of his buttons as she pushed him towards the living room, taking out his half-hardened length from its confines, wrapping her fingers around his hot flesh.
He fell backwards, the back of his legs hitting the front of the couch, watching her fall to her knees with lust in his eyes.
She wrapped her lips around the head of his hard length and sank her mouth down his shaft.
She moaned around him, the salty taste of his skin hitting her tongue, looking up at him with wide-innocent eyes causing him to growl.
She pulled away with a wet popping sound, giving a final firm kiss to the tip, she climbed onto his lap and sunk down onto his hardness.
It took her breath away to finally be filled by him, she wasted no time in setting a fast and steady pace. She gripped the lapels of his coat to keep her balance, she allowed him to untie the belt of her bathrobe, letting the material fall from her shoulders revealing her bare body to him.
He latched onto her neck, sucking hard, her hot channel clenched tightly around him.
'Azrael' she moaned loudly.
'Hey, are pizza pockets suppose to go on for eighteen minutes or twenty?'
'Get out, Zadkiel' she said, not even hesitating for a moment in her thrusts.
She had to hold her husband down by his shoulders as she felt him try to move, no doubt to throw their younger brother out of the room but she was not willing to allow him to pull out of her until she had had her fill.
'Listen, those two minutes could mean the difference between a frozen pizza and a burnt one' he carried on, not caring that his older siblings were in the middle of making love.
'I said get out' she reached for a cushion, throwing it in his direction.
'Excuse me for being created' he said in a huff before walking out the room.
She turned her attention back to Azrael, he looked as though he wanted to punch the seven bells out of their brother which made her chuckle as she continued to bounce on his lap.
Thursday
Abraham stepped out into the brisk evening air, immediately coming face to face with Zadkiel.
'Ah, Azrael. Beautiful night, isn't it?' the angel commented, looking up at the stars.
The horseman hummed, walking past him, heading towards the stable where Daredevil waited for him.
Until he stopped mid-stride.
There had been something he had wanted to ask Zadkiel but he hadn't wanted to sound weak or vulnerable but he needed to know the answer.
'I have something I want to ask you' he said, walking back to Zadkiel.
'Ask me?' Zadkiel pointed at himself in surprise 'fire away, brother'.
'What was I like when I was an Archangel?'
Abraham hadn't even asked Anastasia this question, no doubt she would paint him in a perfect light, love really was blind.
Where everyone else saw a monster, and not just because he was missing his head, she did not.
Zadkiel looked taken back at this question.
'Well, you were kinda how you are now. Sullen, uncommunicative, ill-tempered…' he paused, looking at the horseman's unamused expression 'you know, if you're so interested in regaining your memories, why not just ask Phanuel to recover them?'
'What do you mean?'
'Archangels have the power to retrieve memories from the subconscious mind…but obviously from the expression on your face, Phanuel hasn't mentioned this'.
'No, she hasn't'.
Abraham stormed past the angel, back into the house, finding Anastasia where he had left her, sat at the dining table, reading a book.
'My love, I thought you had gone for your nightly ride'.
'Something came up. May I ask you something, darling?'
'Of course you can' she smiled, putting her book down.
'What was I like as an Archangel?'
'Well, pretty much how you are now'.
He blinked in surprise of how much her answer mirrored Zadkiel's.
'Oh?' He answered, waiting for her to elaborate.
'You were always very quiet and reserved, especially around our siblings. Don't think it has gone unnoticed that you have been very withdrawn since our brother's arrival'.
He remained quiet, looking away from her, he didn't know how to broach the subject of her being able to retrieve his memories without becoming angry. He could already feel his rage bubbling under his skin.
'You know you can ask me anything, right? You don't ever have to ask'.
'I know, but whether you decide to tell me the truth is another thing entirely'.
She looked taken back by his snide comment.
'What's that suppose to mean?'
'Zadkiel told me Archangels can restore memories'. He looked directly at her, his hands clenched by his sides.
'Did he?' She sighed. 'It's a lot easier said than done, I'm afraid'.
'So it's true. All this time you could have given me my memories and you chose to keep it from me' he said, a little louder than intended.
'You really think I would intentionally keep you from your memories? I want you to remember. I want you to remember the first time we looked upon one another, our first kiss, the first time we made love. Every apocalypse you looked at me without the slightest recognition of who I was and it killed me. Even now you still look at me like that. You don't truly see me because you don't remember me'.
His heart stopped as he watched the tears roll down her face, she quickly wiped them away with her hands, he wanted to comfort her but he found himself rooted to the floor. He hadn't meant to upset her, it had just come as a shock that she had not mentioned that she had this power.
'Then do it'.
'My love, memories are delicate things' she spoke softly 'I would only be able to reveal a fragment or two, and I would not be able to control what you see, it could be something happy or something devastating. Once people have a piece of their memory, they can become obsessed with finding the missing pieces, some have even gone mad'.
'Do it'. He said adamantly.
She sighed, her husband really was too stubborn for his own good.
And she knew now that he would not give up on this until she agreed to do it.
'Very well. Sit down'.
He sat on the opposite side of the table as she placed both of her palms face up, indicating she wanted him to place his hands in her own.
'Close your eyes and clear your mind. Focus on my voice. In front of you is a door, when I count to three, I want you to go through the door. One…two…three'.
She let a moment or two go by.
'What do you see?' she asked.
'Nothing. It's just black. The deepest, darkest black I've ever seen. And it's cold' he could actually feel himself shivering 'I'm not alone'.
His eyes snapped open.
His heart was pounding against his rib cage and he could barely catch his breath.
'My love?'
He stood up, and without saying a word, he all but ran to the door.
'Azrael!' She called out but by that time he had already climbed onto Daredevil and disappeared into the night.
Friday
It was five o'clock in the morning, the first light of dawn was beginning to take Anastasia paced up and down the hallway, waiting for her husband to return.
What had he seen that had upset him so?
Anastasia heart had skipped a beat by what she had seen.
He had looked scared.
She had never once ever seen him fearful of anything.
She was intrigued when she heard a sudden knock on the door.
She opened it to reveal Zadkiel standing there with a small brown teddy bear held out in front of him.
'I got this for you. Well, technically it's for the baby but the apology that comes with it is for you. I fear I may have put my foot in it with Azrael…I'm really sorry'.
She looked from the bear to him and gave him a small smile.
'I'm not mad at you, little brother. Perhaps it was wrong of me to keep it from him, I was just trying to protect him, he's been through so much'. She said, accepting the apology and the stuffed bear.
'Still, you both have been so kind to me this past week. I know I can be a pain in the ass sometimes'.
She moved to hug him, she honestly didn't know whether she was giving him comfort or seeking it for herself but it felt good either way.
'Come on in' she said, breaking away from him.
'Wait, the overzealous shopkeeper was very insistent that no teddy bear is complete without…' he pulled a very large box that was hidden on the other side of the door 'a crib. And then, furthermore he explained that no crib was complete without some kind of CCTV to spy on your baby and you can also speak to them through it'.
'Zadkiel!' She exclaimed 'you didn't need to get all this'.
'Hey, what are cool uncles for?'
'Thank you' she reached up to kiss his cheek.
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'To connect part A to part B use the screws in bag two'.
'Which is bag two?'
'The one with the bigger screws'.
'All the screws are the exact same size'. He informed, holding the clear plastic bags in front of him, trying to determine which were the right screws.
'I'm just telling you what it's telling me' she chuckled at her brother's confused expression.
They both heard the front door close shut.
'Go to him, I have this handled' Zadkiel said, gesturing to the crib 'just promise me that if you have crazy make up sex, you'll keep the volume down'.
She handed him the instructions before rushing downstairs, finding the horseman waiting for her.
They stared at each other for a moment, neither one really sure on what to say.
Not being able to hold back any longer, she raced to embrace him, her arms encircling his neck.
'I'm sorry' he apologised into her neck, bringing his own hands around her waist.
'For what, my love?' She stood back to look at him.
'I'm ashamed to admit I've been selfish'.
'Selfish?'
'I forget that even though I do not remember our life before this one, you do. To have your memories of losing me the first time and then every apocalypse that came after, if the roles were reversed, I do not believe I would have been as strong as you have been'.
'You don't need to apologise. I understand your frustrations. I'm the one who must apologise, I should have told you. I foolishly thought I was protecting you but I see now that I was wrong'.
He smirked slightly, wrapping his arms around her waist.
'Say that again'.
After all, what husband doesn't enjoy hearing that his wife was wrong.
'I'm afraid that was the one and only time you're ever going to hear that' she laughed.
His face suddenly became serious again.
'I want to tell you what I saw'.
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Darkness surrounded him, digging into his skin like a thousand needles, penetrating deep through his muscles and even into his bones. The pain was excruciating, making it difficult to breathe. The cold embraced him like a blanket as his shallow breaths exited his mouth in puffs of smoke. He felt disorientated and not quite in the present moment, he knew he didn't belong here as if the very existence of this place offended his mind, body and soul.
He felt as though someone was waiting for him, someone he cared for very much but he could not remember her name or even picture her face.
All he knew was he had to get back to her.
And then, all the hairs at the back of his neck stood on end as a shiver ran down his spine and it had nothing to do with the cold.
He was not alone.
Turning, his heart stopped as he spotted two purple eyes piercing through the darkness, staring at him with malicious intent.
He remembered who this was.
Fear took control of his body.
He was now in this creature's domain.
He was at its mercy.
Unfortunately, he knew all to well that this demon had none.
But then something else happened.
He remembered her.
Her chocolate brown hair, her vibrant blue eyes that held nothing but love for him and her warm smile.
'Phanuel!' He cried out into the abyss.
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'Purple eyes?'
'It was Lucifer, wasn't it?'
'Yes'.
'And I was in Hell'.
'I'm so sorry, my love' she held him tightly, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. 'I can't imagine what you went through'.
Her Father had ordered Azrael to bring Death to Lucifer's wife and children, she hated to think what their older brother had done to him whilst he was trapped with him.
Lucifer had been imprisoned in the deepest pit in Hell. So deep in fact, that even the brightest, hottest fires in Hell could not reach its depth.
And yet, she had to wonder why their Father had condemned Azrael to the same fate.
Saturday
'I need you to get Phanuel out of the house for an hour or two'. Zadkiel whispered to Abraham.
'Why?'
'I have a surprise for the both of you'.
'What is it?' he asked suspiciously.
'It's a talkative mouse in red shorts and yellow shoes' Zadkiel rolled his eyes 'I obviously can't tell you, it'll ruin it'.
Abraham found Anastasia leaning against the headboard of their bed, her hands gently caressing her bare baby bump. He walked towards her, sitting down on the edge of the bed, bringing his hand to join hers.
She smiled and hummed contently.
'The baby becomes so happy when you're near. They love you so much already'.
He bent down to kiss her stomach.
'As I love them' he said lovingly. 'Darling, it's a clear sky tonight and I thought it would be nice for us to go for a walk'.
'A walk?' She smiled brightly 'we haven't been for a walk since before I became pregnant'.
'I know. Perhaps I have been a little overprotective'.
'Perhaps?' she raised her eyebrows causing him to laugh wholeheartedly.
'Okay, I have been overprotective. I just don't want to lose you or our child'.
She smiled, reaching to cup his face.
'I know' she kissed him softly 'I would love to go for a walk with you'.
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Abraham and Anastasia walked hand-in-hand back home in comfortable silence, both of them just happy to be in the other's presence.
'Promise, we can do this more often' she smiled.
'I promise'.
They reached the front door, Abraham would of usually done the gentlemanly thing and allowed his wife to enter first but not knowing what this so-called surprise was, he entered the threshold before her.
'Surprise!'
Zadkiel, Ichabod, Abbie and Jenny were standing in the hallway, which had been decorated in pink and blue balloons and with a brightly coloured banner that read "Happy Baby Shower".
'What is this?'
'I still felt terrible about the situation the other day so I thought I'd throw you a baby shower' he placed his arms around his siblings shoulders, standing in the middle of them 'and plus we get a whole bunch of free stuff for the baby' he whispered low enough so only they could hear.
'We?' Abraham asked.
'Yeah, three angels and a baby'. He laughed at his own joke.
Anastasia just rolled her eyes at his poor pun whilst Abraham stared blankly not understanding the reference.
He half-heartedly listened to Zadkiel's explanation of his reference whilst he watched his wife walk over to greet the others and thanked them all for coming.
He was still allowed to be a little overprotective, he reasoned to himself.
Sunday
'So, there I was surrounded by the sheriff and ten of his men. No way out, no merry men and I had but one arrow left. They thought they had me on the ropes but they were unaware of one thing'.
'Which was?' Anastasia asked, she was quite literally on the edge of her seat, listening to her brother's tale.
Azrael on the other hand, who was sitting beside her on the couch, was looking rather indifferent to the story being told.
'Not only was I the best archer in all of England but also in all of Eden' he exclaimed, causing Anastasia to chuckle.
He climbed onto the couch across from them, his left foot resting on top of the arm of the couch.
'I took my one arrow' he reached back as if he was drawing an arrow from an imaginary quiver 'and I drew my bow…' his left hand was stretch out in front of him whilst his right rested by his chin 'and then I…'.
A knock came from the front door causing Zadkiel to jump from the couch, dashing behind his siblings as if they were his own personal human shield.
'What's wrong?' Anastasia asked urgently.
'Uriel, she's found me'. Zadkiel peeked over his siblings.
Another, more aggressive knock came from the door.
This time her husband rose, taking his axe in hand.
'Remember, I'm dead. Okay, as dead as a Dodo'. He whispered, running upstairs.
'Put that down, it's only our sister'. She lowered her husband's arm as she past him, walking towards the door.
'Phanuel, it's been far too long. You are positively glowing'. Uriel burst through the door like a high-list celebrity.
'Hello Uriel' she greeted.
They hugged one another, kissing each other on the cheek.
'And Azrael, look at you' Uriel circled him, trailing her fingers from one side of his back to the other 'Who doesn't love a man in uniform?'
Anastasia tried to swallow her laugh at how uncomfortable Azrael looked, his eyes were screaming "help me".
'By the way, Phanuel. Father wanted me to give you this'.
She gave Anastasia a small object wrapped in a piece of cloth.
'The Angium bullet?'
'What's an Angium bullet?' He asked.
'It can kill any being. Father deemed it so dangerous, he only made this single one' Anastasia explained. 'What does he want us to do with it?'
'I have no idea, Father instructed me to deliver it to you and I have. Now, where is he?'
'Where's who?'
'Zadkiel'.
'We don't know' Anastasia shrugged 'but we're pretty sure he's dead' she offered his lame alibis 'Why are you looking for him?'
'We were…a thing'.
Really?
Uriel has always been feisty and she was very beautiful. Had she been human, there was no doubt in Anastasia's mind, she would have been one of those popular cheer-leading girls in high-school with all the boys fawning over her.
Zadkiel, on the other hand, was more the annoying but lovable class clown.
Maybe opposites really do attract.
She should know, right.
'What happened?'
Uriel sighed dramatically.
'He just disappeared one day, he said our relationship was becoming to serious for him, that he was a free spirit. Then I find out he's running around on Earth calling himself Robin Hood, can you believe that? And let me tell you that maid Marian was no maiden, if you get my meaning'.
'Oh' Anastasia nodded slowly. 'He's upstairs, in the guest bedroom, cowering under the bed. Second door on the right'.
'Thank you' Uriel raced up the stairs.
Abraham cocked an eyebrow in question his wife's actions.
'What? He was a jerk to her'.
'Remind me never to make you mad'. He kissed her brow.
Yelling could be heard from upstairs.
'Should you intervene?'
'Probably best to let them hash it out'.
The shouting increased in volume.
'She's just letting off steam. She did this kinda thing all the time back in Eden'.
All of a sudden things go quiet.
'Oh no, she's killed him' Anastasia half jested.
They both strained their hearing, listening out for any sign of their siblings.
'Perhaps I should check on them'.
Anastasia reached the third step before she heard something…it sounded like a moan…and then another.
'I think they're having sex'. She turned to her husband, tip-toeing back down the stairs.
'What?' He rushed past her, only to be stopped by her hand on his arm.
'You can't stop them' she said amusingly.
'Why?'
'Because, my love, you didn't appreciate it when Zadkiel came barging into the room when we were making love'.
'We weren't fornicating in the home of others'.
'Let them be'.
A loud banging began, if Anastasia had to guess it was the headboard of the bed repeatedly hitting the wall. And Uriel's loud moaning turned to almost shrieking as Zadkiel's deep growls could be heard.
'Is that what we sound like?' Anastasia asked, almost horrified.
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Finally, after what seemed like hours later, Uriel and Zadkiel entered the kitchen. Neither one looked disheveled, although Zadkiel had a goofy grin plastered to his face.
'Sorry about that, we…uh…well, we had a lot of things to discuss' Zadkiel tried to play it cool.
'We heard everything, brother. We know exactly what you were doing'.
'I told you they would hear us' he whispered to Uriel.
'Zadkiel and I have agreed that it is time for him to come home'.
'Are you sure?' Anastasia asked.
'Yes, sister. But I'll be back soon to meet my niece or nephew' he hugged her 'if it's a boy, will you name him after me?'
'No' she kissed his cheek.
'It was worth a try' he turned, holding out his arms wide 'Azrael…still not a hugger' he said as the horseman made no attempt to move 'please, there's no need to speak, I know you're gonna miss me' he smiled but it soon faded. 'Seriously, you're not going to say anything?'
'Come along, Zadkiel' Uriel encouraged impatiently as she grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the door.
'But Azrael was about to make a sincere passionate speech about how he's going to miss me' Zadkiel jokingly whined.
Exiting the door, they both summoned their wings, shouting their final goodbyes before taking flight.
Anastasia waved them off as her husband held her close to him.