Annabelle and Anubis

“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”

Anubis braced himself as a little ball of pink tulle, blonde curls and sticky hands crashed into his legs. His office chair rolled back a few inches upon impact. She scrambled up until she knelt in his lap. Small arms wrapped tightly around his neck and bright blue eyes gazed up at him.

“Daddy, take off your Working Face. It’s too fuzzy to kiss.”

Anubis wrapped his arms around his daughter and smiled down at her. “But, Daddy is working.” He glanced up at the large screen over his desk as a deep laugh rumbled out of the speakers.

“We can talk later, Anubis.” Seth’s features blurred as he resumed his human form. “Hello, Annabelle.”

“Hello, Uncle Seth.” Annabelle grinned up at the screen. “Are you coming to my dance recital tomorrow?”

“Of course, Princess, I wouldn’t miss it.” Seth’s eyes moved back to Anubis. “The problem can wait. We can discuss it further after the recital.”

Anubis reached over and flicked off the screen. Concentrating, he forced the muscles, bones and skin on his head to change. He felt his ears descend, nose shorten, and ran his tongue over newly blunt teeth. As the fur retreated back under his skin, he shuddered. No matter how many millennia he lived, retracting his fur always disturbed him. Besides, it made his face itchy.

Just before the fur completely disappeared, he pulled Annabelle in close and rubbed his check against hers. She giggled and pushed him away. But the clack of high heels on the black, marble floor in the Great Hall echoing into the room made her bury her head in his neck.

“Annabelle, there you are.” A statuesque blond stepped into the office. The sneer on her lips twisted her model perfect features. “How many times have I told you not to run away from me? Seriously, what is your problem? Ungrateful little brat. I hope you haven’t ruined that new tutu. It cost a fortune.”

Anubis cradled Annabelle against his chest and stood. “Claudette, to what do I owe this pleasure? Have you fired your lackeys again?”

Claudette paused in her tirade and smoothed her face back to perfection. “I have a problem only you can deal with.”

Anubis sighed and wished he were facing a rampaging horde of sphinx rather than his ex-wife. Their marriage was a black spot on an otherwise happy life. How he had ever believed this woman was warm, funny, and kind boggled his mind. What was more amazing was the warm and loving child he held in his arms came out of that icy woman’s body, something, of course, Claudette never let him forget. Neither did she let him forget the fact that her body never returned to its proper proportions afterward. No amount of dieting, modeling gigs, or compliments could convince her she wasn’t an unsightly, fat hag. 

“You know Ra’s laws forbid me to solve your problems with my power.”

Claudette snorted. With a tug she reached out to pull someone into the room. An obese man in an expensive tailored suit tried to hide behind Claudette, hand clamped firmly behind him. Anubis tried to remember the man’s name, but could never keep up with his ex’s revolving door of boyfriends. 

“It’s not a human problem.” Claudette spun the man around and pointed to his rear. “Look, look what she did to Pooky.”

Anubis looked closer and saw a curly, pink tail sticking out from the back of the man’s suit jacket. A tiny giggle tickled his ear. Claudette’s sensitive ears must have caught the sound. With a shriek she reached for Annabelle, hands extended like claws. Anubis flicked his hand, freezing both Claudette and Prissy in place.

“Teach me to do that, Daddy.”

“Later, Princess.” Anubis carried Annabelle in his arms from the formal, awe-inspiring and supplicant intimidating part of his home and into his personal space. 

Footsteps muffled in the thick, blue carpet, Anubis carried his Princess. The smell of warm chocolate chip cookies wafted down the hall, beckoning them to the kitchen. Tirmonia, Anubis’ housekeeper, stood at the center island transferring cookies from a sheet to a cooling rack. She smiled at Annabelle as the two walked in and handed the little girl one of the cooler cookies. Annabelle smiled back. Anubis set her on one of the tall stools.

Anubis grabbed his own cookie and settled on the stool next to his daughter. “Annabelle, can you tell me what happened with…” He paused, wondering what the man’s real name was. “…Pooky?” He waited while she slowly finished her cookie.

“He ate the school snack Tirmonia sent over for me. He always eats it.” She picked up another cookie and studied it. “He’s such a pig, fat, grunts all the time, eats all my snacks. I don’t like him and want him to go away. Mommy doesn’t listen, so I decided to make him go away all by myself.”

“You tried to turn him into a real pig?”

“Yup, it didn’t work very well.”

“I noticed that.” Anubis took a bite out of his cookie. “I should have talked to you about this sooner. But, I wasn’t sure if you would inherit my power at all. Looks like you did. As you get older your power will grow. Until you get training, you cannot use it. If you do, I will have to block it from you until you are older. So, no more trying to turn Pooky into a pig. Ok?”

Annabelle stuck her lower lip out and let it quiver. Anubis gritted his teeth to keep a stern expression on his face. After what seemed ages, she blinked her eyes and smiled up at him.

“Ok, Daddy. When can I start training? I want to learn how to change him into a full pig next time.”

Inside Anubis groaned. Out loud, he said, “Eat another cookie while I speak with your mother.”

Annabelle waved as he headed out of the kitchen.

Anubis studied his ex-wife as she stood frozen in place. Her face contorted in anger, hands outstretched. Those fire-engine-red nails, honed to a sharp point were lethal weapons, he well knew. Her white suit tailored to her tall frame matched the white and black décor of the formal areas of his home, areas she had redecorated, stating that desert colors were not modern enough. He really ought to bring in a decorator to return them to their former desert tones. The black and white was too much a reminder of their brief love affair and even briefer marriage. 

Anubis contemplated leaving her and Pooky frozen but knew Ra would have a fit. With a wave of his hand, the two reanimated. He watched in amusement as Claudette lurched forwards towards a now missing Annabelle. She stumbled, but caught herself before she fell. 

Claudette swung around, sharpened finger still extended. “You know I hate when you do that. Where did you put Annabelle?  You need to punish her for what she did to Pooky. You need to fix him.”

“I can’t fix him. You know I can’t undo someone else’s magic. But, it should be a simple surgical procedure to have it removed.”

“I should have known. Of course you won’t fix it. You’ve never done anything to help me. You’ve always been so horrible to me. Why can’t you just be nice for once? I ask for so little from you. You’re mean, spiteful, and vindictive. I don’t know what I ever saw in you.” Claudette’s voice rose to a screech as she grew angrier. “I’ve sacrificed so much for you. Gave you the best years of my life. What do you do? You toss me aside like I’m nothing. After all I’ve done for you, you can at—” Pooky slid his hand onto Claudette’s shoulder, stopping her flow of words. Nostrils flaring, she glared at Anubis

Pooky said, “He’s not worth it, Love. Let’s just do what we planned. Leave the Spawn with the Beast and come with me.” He tugged her towards the door.

Claudette didn’t resist his pull. Anubis followed slowly behind them. They walked down the center of the great hall, avoiding the soaring columns and comfy benches scattered about for supplicants. 

None of the benches were currently occupied, not that they were ever occupied. With the advent of science, few believed in the old gods and goddesses. Fewer still sought their help. Unlike some groups of gods, like the Norse gods, the Egyptian gods never abandoned Earth. To help keep the world stabilized, Ra turned their focus from ruling to capitalism. Each former god or goddess now ran or oversaw a different mega-corporation. Without their assistance, a world-wide economic collapse would occur swiftly. 

Anubis, from time-to-time, still escorted the souls of the dead to The Underworld. Despite their unbelief, the Judging of the Heart on the Scales of Justice still occurred. When a powerful figure or someone who committed a heinous crime died, Ra called upon Anubis to ensure the weighing was done properly. The rest of the time Anubis concerned himself with the many sections of the Robersen Corporation. 

While in the midst of negotiations to acquire Modern Fashion, Anubis met Claudette at a company party. Then a young and upcoming model, she had just been tapped as the newest Victoria’s Secret Angel. It was lust at first sight, which both mistook for love. A whirlwind courtship, a quick trip to Vegas and then fantasy became reality when six weeks after their first meeting Claudette announced her pregnancy. 

She chose to inform him of her condition after one of their many fights. Each word punctuated by the tinkle of breaking glass. She demolished most of his Waterford Crystal collection during the few months of their marriage. Ignoring Anubis’ protests, Claudette left. 

The weeks and months following were a battle to keep his child alive. In the end, despite her hatred of pregnancy and the child that came with it, Claudette carried to term and then refused to give up custody of Annabelle. 

Ra’s list of rules requiring all the gods and goddesses to follow human law left Anubis with no choice. For five years he fought for custody of Annabelle, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now, with Seth’s help and one pink, curly tail, he might have found a way to win. A smile tugged at his lips. 

Claudette paused at the door. “I’m taking Pooky to have a short, surgical procedure. We won’t be at the recital tomorrow night. You’ll have to take her.” She turned to sail out of the door Pooky held open for her. 

Bright sunlight spilled over her, forming a halo in her hair, and turned her momentarily back into an angel. Her driver stood near the stairs of the wide portico. He held a large box, which Claudette snatched out of his hands and thrust into Anubis’ chest. His arms closed reflexively around it.

“My seamstress never finished Annabelle’s dress for the recital. You’ll have to finish it.” 

Anubis’ fingers twitched and magic tingled at his fingertips. He longed wipe Claudette’s smirk off her face. Instead he said, “Of course. It will be no problem to finish,” and smiled sweetly. He knew his response would irritate her.

“By the way, my lawyer will be dropping off papers. After this incident, I’ve decided you are a bad influence on Annabelle. I’m taking away your visitation rights and you’ll have to increase the amount of support you pay me.” Claudette marched down the wide stairs to the waiting limo, white of course. 

Pooky and her driver hurried to follow. Tires spun on the loose gravel before shooting off. Just as the limo neared the gate, a large mud puddle appeared. Too wide for the driver to miss, the limo barreled through. Mud splattered up the sides and across the top. 

“We’ll see about that.” Anubis walked back into his house. 

After supper Anubis tucked Annabelle into her bubble gum pink bed in her pink room. Once he answered a few emails and returned an urgent phone call to Isis, he finally took the box into his study and opened it. He closed it quickly, picked it up and threw it across the room. The box hit the flat screen TV and crashed to the floor, spilling its contents. In a small heap, in shades of pink, lay bolts of tulle, netting and spools of thread. 

He thought longingly of the bottle of scotch Osiris had left the last time he visited. Anubis never drank when Annabelle was in the house; he wanted to be mentally ready if anything happened to her or her magic appeared. Claudette had set him up to fail, yet again. Maybe Tirmonia would be able to help in the morning. 

As he sorted through the pile, rewrapping the small bolts, Anubis found a set of papers. Detailed directions, with pictures, covered six sheets. He knew Tirmonia could never sew something so complicated. Dropping the pile of fabric back into disarray, Anubis sank onto the couch and dropped his head into his hands. What was he going to do? He couldn’t let Annabelle down, nor could he let Claudette get the best of him.

The image of Pooky’s pig tail drifted through Anubis’ mind. He barked out a short laugh. A glimmer of an idea sparked, but he’d never used his magic in this way before. He crossed the room to one of the floor to ceiling bookshelves and pulled a book out. He settled into one of the leather chairs and flipped through the pages quickly. Finding what he wanted, he spent some time reading through the section. 

With one last skim through, he replaced the book. He scooped up the directions. Studying them closely, he arranged the fabric into piles based on what they would make. He thought through his plan one last time before nodding.

Anubis stood in the center of the fabric piles. Papers held in his left hand, high enough for him to easily glance at, he raised his right hand and summoned his magic. He glanced at the diagram of the bodice of the costume, careful to build it the same in his mind. With swirling burst of red light, the sound of rushing wings, and the mixed scents of cinnamon and cardamom his magic burst forth from his right hand. The light reached down to the first pile of fabric and raised it into the air. Rotating faster and faster, the bodice took shape. Dropping pages quickly, he went on to the pile of tulle and soon a Powderpuff tutu floated softly to the ground. The wings, puffy shoulder straps and flower petal headpiece quickly followed. One last burst of magic and the whole costume rotated in front of Anubis, completely assembled.

Exhausted, but quite pleased with himself, Anubis carried his creation into Annabelle’s room and laid it carefully on her divan. He watched his precious child sleeping, cheeks pink and hands curled under her chin, and then quietly slipped out.

Seth slipped into his seat next to Anubis and looked down upon the audience below their box. “I brought the papers. Will she be here tonight?”

“Unfortunately, she won’t. Said she had something urgent she needed to attend to.”

Seth shrugged, “It doesn’t make much difference. I sent copies to the judge and to her lawyer. She’ll know by morning.”

The lights dimmed and the two men settled back to watch Coppelia. Anubis waited for the younger dancers to perform. He caught his breath as Annabelle floated across the stage. Smitten, he believed her to be the most beautiful and most talented of all the children. When her dance was finished, Anubis waited patiently for the ballet to finish. He spent the time dreaming of what it would be like to see her dance the leading roles. 

Anubis was out the door to his box before the curtain fell on the final bow. He beat the rush of parents to the performer’s door. Pacing in front of it, he waited impatiently for Annabelle to appear. Seth waited with him, leaning against the wall. One by one, the other children exited the door, until they were the only two people waiting. 

Anubis checked his watch yet again and stared at the door, willing Annabelle to exit. Seth joined him.

“Think there’s a problem, Anubis?”

“I hope not. It’s not like them to keep a young child so long.”

“Want me to take a look?”

At Anubis’ nod, Seth closed his eyes. Anubis stood as still, not wanting to break Seth’s concentration as he sorted through the minds still in the theater. With a gasp Seth’s eyes flew open.

“Claudette.” 

Anubis and Seth ran as one to the wall, changing into the Egyptian gods they were. Slipping unseen through stone and mortar, they raced to the street behind the theater. The back door opened to reveal Claudette and Pooky dragging a screaming Annabelle towards a white limo.

“I don’t want to go with you. You promised me I could stay four days with Daddy. It’s only been two days. I want my Daddy.”  As Annabelle uttered the final word a burst of light exploded out of her.

Claudette and Pooky were propelled to either end of the small street, while the limo was pushed into the building opposite. When the light dimmed, Annabelle stood mouth open in a perfect circle of surprise. Anubis moved to his daughter while Seth moved to Claudette. Gathering Annabelle up into his arms, Anubis watch Seth drag Claudette over to him. She wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“What do you think you’re doing?” The jackal headed Anubis asked.

“I won’t speak to you when you look like that.”

Anubis shrank back into his human form. “Do I have to ask you again?” 

Claudette shifted from one foot to the other. Then, lifting her chin, said “I was removing my daughter from your obviously bad influence.”

“I’m afraid that is no longer possible. I have papers that state you no longer have custody of Annabelle.” Anubis ignored Claudette’s gasp of shock. “Since she exhibits abilities beyond those of a normal human, the law is clear. All children possessing the power of a god are to reside with his or her godly parent. Contact with the human parent, and any other human for that matter, is prohibited until such time as the child is deemed to be in full control of their powers. Seth has copies of the legal papers for you. He has already sent copies to your lawyer and the judge.”

Claudette took the papers offered by Seth and threw them to the ground. “We’re not done with this. I’ll take this to the highest court.” She could still be heard screeching as the limo sped off.

Anubis snuggled Annabelle in closer. “Let’s go home, My Princess.”