Guess who's back?! I'm so sorry I've been gone so long, guys. I got so caught up with working full-time and going back to college full-time (it's been five years, and I'm finally back in college! With straight A's, might I add).
Now, before you get all hyped up, this chapter is a bit of a short one, but it's just to give you something to read in the meantime. I'm working on bigger, better chapters with a lot more drama that can't be cut short - but I couldn't leave you guys with nothing. I know as a reader myself, sometimes you can be dying inside while anticipating the next chapter to a story.

You know the drill: Read it, think it over, review it.

- xoxo, Crys (03.30.18)

"Picture Perfect"

Chapter 11

Sighing heavily, Darien carefully sat beside his daughters sleeping form, on the small full-sized bed that was placed in the center of her bedroom. Now illuminated only by the hallway light that was shining through the open doorway, he couldn't help but admire her innocence. He was grateful to be able to provide Annabelle with any and everything that she needed - as his own childhood was much different. If it wasn't for finding Serena, and for marrying her, Annabelle wouldn't exist. He would probably have another child with another woman, sure, but it wouldn't be Annabelle.

The ebony haired man hadn't known what to say to his wife about what he had just done, and to no surprise, she wasn't speaking to him because of it. His last request of not telling anyone never got a response out of her. She just continued to cry softly into one of their pillows, and refused to let him touch her. A small part of him wanted to hold her, and maybe take her pain away - if not ease it a little bit. His alcoholic buzz had him slightly bipolar, he knew that. But the larger, stubborn side of him, reiterated that what had happened was more her fault than his. He was provoked, after all; she played dirty.

Beside him, Annabelle was still asleep, unmoving. Stroking her head, he tucked a small strand of loose hair that had fallen into her face back behind her ear. He couldn't help but take notice of how much the little girl looked like Serena. She had his gorgeous midnight blue eyes, and his dark ebony hair, but her facial features and structure were most identical to her mothers. They had made a beautiful child together, him and his wife. He remembered the day she was born just like it was yesterday, and he would never forget it.

***Flashback***

"I'm right here with you, baby, just push!" he remembered feeling her grasp on his hand tighten significantly, with each new push. Their daughter was almost there, the crown of her head clearly visible - only a few more deep pushes and she would be born into their world.

Breathing heavily, he watched as his wife bore down with all of her strength, for one last big push.

"That's it Serena," the doctor had encouraged, "keep pushing! Don't let up, she's almost out, just a little harder honey! Just like that! Good job, keep going!"

As he stroked Serena's hair with his free hand, and firmly kissed her forehead in support, he felt her grip loosen and heard a small gasp of relief escape her lips; in response he quickly turned his attention to her pelvic area, where he saw his daughter now fully slipping out, effortlessly. Her last big push had paid off; their princess was finally here.

Now in tears, he momentarily turned his attention to his wife, letting her know just how proud of her he was. "She's here, Sere, you did such a great job, baby. I love you so much." he had murmured in between small kisses against her lips.

"I love you too, Darien." she had managed to choke out, in between sobs of happiness. They had both waited so long for this moment, and now it had finally come. They had a family.

That day, Darien's heart had grown in size by double. The love he had for his wife in that very moment, would always be undeniable. And the love he felt after seeing his daughter for the first time, would only continue to strengthen as he watched her grow. He was madly in love with both of his girls - the now two halves of his heart.

***End Flashback***

Looking down at the peaceful expression on her sleeping face, he couldn't help but to remember that day. The day that his life had changed entirely - the day that the once orphan child had a real family to call his own.

"Annabelle, honey," gently shaking her, he tried waking her - she was usually up from her daily nap by this time.

He received a stubborn groan in response. "Belle's… you haven't had dinner yet, you need to wake up."

"Daddy, I'm not hungry." she said in response, carefully wiping the sleep from her eyes. "Please let me go back to bed."

"Annabelle..." he mused, attempting to sound stern. He was always like putty in her hands - she was his greatest weakness, and no matter how old she would eventually get, it would probably never change. She would always be his little girl. His princess.

"Please, daddy, I'm so tired." she was now looking up at him, with those beautiful midnight blue eyes, eyes that she had inherited from him. Now he knew what it was like to have to answer to those deep blues. He knew, the first moment he laid eyes on those innocent orbs, just exactly why Serena could never say no to him when they were younger. "I promise I will get up earlier tomorrow for a big breakfast. Please, daddy?"

A small smile had managed to creep onto his lips, as he listened to his daughter try to bargain with him. He couldn't blame her for wanting to sleep, that was exactly what he wanted to do at the moment. The day had been exhausting for him. He knew as well as she did that he was going to cave and give into what she wanted.

"Do you promise to eat a big breakfast in the morning?" he asked softly, already tightly tucking her comforter in. He knew when to choose his battles, and this wasn't one. If she was tired, then he would let her sleep. He hadn't the appetite to eat anyway, and he doubted that Serena did either.

"Of course, I promise." she whispered, already halfway falling back asleep.

After hearing Darien finally leave their bedroom, Serena took a moment to regain her composure, and in doing so allowed her tears to subside. She was still hurting - emotionally, and physically.

Darien Shields was supposed to be the love of her life, he was supposed to protect her through thick and thin, always and forever. No matter what. Their happily ever after, their "forever", was starting to look bleak. This man, this emotionally and physically abusive man, was not her husband. He was not her Darien, and she didn't know how much more she could take of this man.

If nothing else, she knew that the next time he laid a hand on her, she would not just sit there and take it. She would fight back, because she was not and would never be a doormat or a punching bag for any man.

Lightly caressing her left cheek, curiosity sparked, and she soon found herself climbing out of bed, heading toward their bathroom mirror. Her cheek was still a little sore, but from what she could see, it didn't look as if there would be any visible signs - at least not until the morning. Even then, it shouldn't be too hard to conceal. Maybe a small bruise, but nothing a little makeup couldn't fix.

'How embarrassing that I have to actually use concealer to cover up something on my face other than dark circles.' she thought bitterly, 'Because my husband is apparently not only a liar, but a woman-beating piece of shit, too.'

"It seems I really did win the jackpot." came her sarcastic drawl aloud, as she moved back to their over-sized king bed, she took the extra steps out of her way to lock their bedroom door. She had had enough of her husband for tonight. Her life was starting to look more like a nightmare, not the dream she had oh so often pictured with Darien growing up.

Not having gotten much sleep the night before, due to her husband not coming home, Serena was now exhausted. After the day she had, and after the hell Darien had put her through, she wanted nothing more than to fall into a deep sleep and not wake for hours. Slipping beneath the heavy comforter on their bed, she turned on her right side, purposely avoiding her left cheek, and let sleep take over her mind, and her body.

Tomorrow was a new day, and even if it didn't end up better than this day had, she was ready to leave this day behind.

Hours had passed, and it was now quarter to eleven. Darien sat behind his desk, replaying the days events over and over in his mind. Annabelle was asleep once more, and his wife had evidently locked herself in - or himself out - of their bedroom for the remainder of the night. Though it made no difference to him; if he had really wanted to, he could easily find and use their bedroom door key to get in. They had spare keys placed about the house, in case Annabelle were to ever accidentally lock a door. But he had no desire to retrieve the key nor enter their bedroom any sooner than he absolutely had to; he would let his wife be, and just sleep in one of the guest bedrooms for the night. Nothing he hadn't done before.

Sitting alone in solitude, Darien couldn't help but to think back on what Andrew had said about Serena possibly finding out about what he had done. In his eyes, and her eyes, cheating was nearly impossible to forgive - they had established that long before marriage. Their beliefs were mutual; but now that Darien had broken their vow, and there seemed to be a stranger threatening to expose the doctor to his wife. Admittedly, he couldn't help but wonder if that belief would hold, or if Serena would make an exception for him… just this once.

Of course, he would try everything in his power to keep Serena from finding out, but he knew better than to consider that a guarantee. He was a powerful man, but there was only so much that he could do to keep things from his wife.

No matter how clouded or how busy his mind was, Darien couldn't erase the terrified expression that his wife had shown him each and every time he approached her earlier that day from his mind. She was scared of him, and he didn't quite know how he felt about that. Part of him felt remorse, the other part of him felt something else entirely, he just couldn't put his finger on what it was just yet.

A good man would feel nothing but shame, right? He put his hands on a woman whom he swore his life to - the same woman he vowed to love until the end of time, the very woman he promised to protect from any and all harm.

But it seemed that now, Darien was the danger. He was the one thing hurting Serena.

End Chapter 11

Review, review, review!
I'm open to suggestions and ideas.
I wonder who this "stranger" is that claims to know what Darien has done?
Furthermore, how exactly do they know?

- xoxo, Crys (03.30.18)