I would just like the point out, that I will be using the generals Japanese given names, instead of their English names. The only one with a noticeably different name is Kunzite, as his English name is Malachite. I just prefer their Japanese spellings, as opposed to the English variations. Also, I've decided to keep each chapter around 2,000-3,000 words, so that updates seem more frequent.

To the anonymous guest, displeased with the way that I portrayed Raye, you are entitled to your own opinion, just as I am entitled to end the debate, because I don't own any explanations. If that's the only thing you dislike, then I'm sure you can overlook it.
SMSM92, thank you for your support on the subject!

As always, be sure to leave a review. I'm already expecting Darien haters after this chapter. It will get worse before (if) it gets better.

- xoxo, Crys (08.17.16)

"Picture Perfect"

Chapter 6

Serena sat opposite of Raye, in a comfortable private booth in the furthest corner of La Cucina Italiano, absentmindedly twisting the diamond ring on her left hand with her thumb. She was excited to see Lita and Nephrite, but she was also a bit uneasy. Lita had no clue about Serena's deteriorating relationship with Darien, because she had yet to tell anyone aside from Raye, but she couldn't help wondering if perhaps Nephrite knew about it. He was always sweet to her, and much like Lita, always there when she needed someone; but he was, above all else, one of Darien's closest friends. She knew she couldn't tell Lita if Nephrite was in their presence, because he would certainly contact Darien about it, and in doing so shed light on the fact that Serena was telling outsiders about their "personal business", as Darien would put it. She was wise enough to know his reaction would not be a good one, and she wasn't ready for another confrontation.

"Oh my god! Serena! Raye! I can't believe you're here!"

Both of the women instantly snapped their heads in the direction of the voice they had grown to love and knew all too well to whom it belonged. "Lita!" both girls greeted in unison, getting up to hug their friend.

Serena noticed Nephrite not too far behind Lita, making his way over with a genuine smile plastered on his face. "Serena," he smiled, as he gave his wife's best friend a tight hug. "It's been too long."

Serena found herself nodding in agreement. She hadn't seen much of her friends over the past 7 months; she spent most of her time with Annabelle, or fighting with Darien. Her husband was right when he said she never left the house. Her self-esteem had taken a tumble when she and Darien had started to drift apart, and without realizing it she had closed herself off from the rest of the world.

"I know, I'm sorry Nephrite," Serena apologized, "I've missed you two so much!"

"We've missed you too, Serena; how's my Annabelle?" Nephrite questioned, eager to hear about his favorite little girl.

Serena smiled softly. "Still daddy's little princess, cute as ever. She has Darien wrapped around her little fingers, even more so than she had you."

Nephrite let out a small chuckle; he had been there for Serena's delivery, and the moment he got the chance to hold Annabelle in his arms, he fell in love. Even though she wasn't his, he was completely smitten with the girl, always willing to help Serena and Darien when they needed a hand with her, or someone to baby-sit back when they still had periodic date nights.

Nephrite had wanted a baby of his own ever since he had married Lita years ago, but unfortunately for the couple, they had found out that Lita was unable to carry to term, after months of trying and two miscarriages. None of their pregnancies had made it passed 8 weeks. They could still get pregnant, but it would have to be through a surrogate mother. That was the plan, eventually; but right now they decided to stay focused on their careers. When the time was right, they would seek out a surrogate to carry for them.

Lita and Nephrite had been around so much during Serena and Darien's first few years with Annabelle, that she had known them to be family. They weren't blood related, but to Annabelle, Lita was her aunt, and Nephrite was her uncle. Her favorite uncle, to be exact. Serena and Darien wouldn't have wanted it any other way; they really were a family. All of them. Lita and Nephrite, even Raye and Jadeite, despite the fact that they were no longer together as a couple. Amy and Zoicite had moved to the states almost immediately after graduation, to study medicine in America, so they weren't around much until they moved back to Tokyo and started working at the hospital Darien worked at. Still, they had drifted apart some, always busy with their own lives. Mina had been in London with Kunzite for the last year, working on her modeling career, but ever so often, they would face-time Serena and Darien, making sure Annabelle was with them to say hello, distance being no measure of their love for the little girl.

Annabelle was the first and only baby in their group, so she was spoiled with love and affection not only from her parents, but also their closest friends. No other girl her age had the support system behind her that she had; she wouldn't realize it until she was older, but she was very lucky. She would never have to question whether she was loved or not.

"Don't think we've forgotten about her birthday next month, either. Lita and I have already started putting together a catering menu." the man said cheerfully, excitement shining in his chestnut brown eyes. They had always been in charge of the food whenever their group had an event. "Lucky for us, she has an appetite like her mother, so we've already prepared for the sugar coma."

Serena smiled warmly at Nephrite. He was always so good to them. Lita had married a rare gem, and they truly belonged together, much like she and Darien had once upon a time.

"Hey!" Serena playfully smacked his shoulder. "I've gotten a lot better with my eating habits over the years!" she decided to defend herself, gesturing to her empty salad bowl on the table behind them, the one that she and Raye had previously occupied.

"Serena, he's only kidding," Lita interjected, rolling her eyes at her now laughing husband, who looked at her innocently, shrugging his shoulders. Nephrite had taken the place of Darien when it came to teasing Serena, but they both knew it was all in good fun.

"Hey, do me a favor and tell Darien I said to call me, will 'ya?" he asked, returning his attention back to Serena. "It's been awhile since I've heard from him."

Serena promised Nephrite that she would relay the message, making up an excuse that Darien had been super busy with work as of late, and that was probably why he hadn't heard from him. But she didn't actually know why they hadn't been in contact lately. Darien just wasn't much for having company at their house anymore, and she had no idea what he did during his spare time. She just knew he never spent it with her.

Several moments later, Nephrite gave the girls one final hug and said his goodbyes before heading back to the kitchen, where one of the chefs had requested his assistance. The restaurant they had opened together turned into a gold mine, it was always high volume. Lita assured him that she would be back shortly to help him as well, as soon as she was finished chatting with Raye and Serena.

The three women hadn't spoken about much other than work and family; ever so often they would reminisce about their high school days. Serena wasn't ready to tell Lita about her martial problems just yet; she didn't feel like burdening the woman; it would've put her in an awkward position, because she was Serena's best friend, and her husband was Darien's best friend. She didn't want Lita to have to choose sides.

A half an hour or so later, Serena promised Lita she would face-time her later in the week with Annabelle, so that she could see her, before she and Raye said their goodbyes and made their way back to her house, small chit-chat engulfing Serena's car the whole way home. Opening up to Raye, and then seeing Lita, had definitely brightened her mood.

The blonde patiently waited for their front gate to open, before pulling up their drive and taking note of the fact that Andrew's car was now gone. She frowned sadly. All that was left was Raye's crimson red Escalade, and that was about to be gone too, as Raye had gotten an emergency call from one of her clients on their way back home.

Serena watched her garage door slowly open, and once again felt uneasy as it had revealed that Darien's jet black Porsche was parked there, on his usual side of the garage. He was home. And Raye was about to leave her to deal with him alone. She sighed, pulling into the garage and leaving it open for Raye to exit her car, and transfer into her own. She felt a pang of sadness as she hugged her best friend goodbye, silently cursing whomever the client was who needed her so badly.

Finally letting the garage door close, she popped her trunk and grabbed all of her shopping bags from earlier that day, hauling them into the house, and up the stairs to her bedroom where her walk-in closet was. Darien had been in his office, with the door cracked, and either failed to acknowledge her presence, or was so wrapped up in his work that he hadn't heard her pass by.

After quickly hanging up her new clothes and putting away her new shoes, Serena made her way downstairs and into the kitchen, headed for their wine cabinet. They had an extensive wine collection in their home; Darien liked whiskey, and she absolutely loved wine, it helped her to relax.

Grabbing a bottle of merlot with one hand, Serena reached for a wine glass with the other. Not hearing anyone approach her from behind, she shrieked loudly when she felt two strong arms snake around her waist, accidentally letting go of the wine glass she held in her right hand. Her heart was pounding.

"Why didn't you tell me we were going to have company over today?" the figure murmured in her ear.

Serena stiffened, she knew who it was. "It wasn't planned, it was last minute, I'm sorry I didn't-"

Darien laughed, tightening the hold he had around her waist. "I told you before that I don't like anyone coming over without my knowledge," he continued in her ear, "and what the hell are you wearing?" He had definitely noticed her bare midriff and tight jeans the instant he saw her. She had taken her heels off, but forgot to change her clothes.

"It's just something Raye gave me awhile back." she explained, trying to unwrap his arms from around her waist, so that she could clean up the broken glass, but to no avail, Darien refused to let go. Why on Earth was he touching her?

"You look like a slut." he scowled, disgusted. "Are you trying to make me mad, going out in public dressed like this?"

Serena mustered up all of her strength and courage before turning in her husbands arms and shoving him away from her. Before she could think twice, she had smacked him in the face, enraged that he would call her such a thing. She was the furthest thing from a slut.

Darien took a step back, startled by his wife's response. Serena could've sworn she saw a tiny flash of hurt spread across his eyes, but it was quickly covered by rage. She had never hit him before.

"Darien, I didn't mean to-"

Serena gasped as Darien interrupted her apology, by aggressively shoving her back into their refrigerator, with his hand around her neck. He hadn't noticed that Serena had started silently crying, fear evident in her eyes.

"Don't you ever put your hands on me again, Serena." he said dangerously low, anger clouding his judgment, as he held his wife in place.

"Darien…" Serena whimpered, looking up at him with pleading eyes, and tear-stained cheeks.

Now noticing that she had begun to cry, Darien's gaze softened, and the grip he had around her neck loosened. He hadn't meant to be so aggressive with her, he was just so angry that she had smacked him. It had been the second time today that he had made her afraid of him, and he was briefly ashamed of his actions, but he quickly rationalized with himself and put the blame on her. It was her fault for provoking him. She shouldn't have hit him.

"Clean this up." he muttered, releasing her completely and avoiding her gaze. "Annabelle will be home soon." he finished, turning his back to Serena and exiting the kitchen, leaving her to clean up the broken glass.

When Darien was out of sight, Serena slumped down onto the kitchen floor, her head in her hands, sobbing. Darien had heard the sound echo off of the wall as he made his way back upstairs, but he chose to ignore his wife's sobs. He wasn't going to feel bad for reacting after being hit.

End Chapter 6

I know, I know, you guys hate Darien at this point... he's an ass. And it's only going to get worse.

As always, thank you for reading, and be sure to leave a review/feedback.

- xoxo, Crys (08.17.16)