Beta: Random Loves

A/N: I want to take this time to thank all my wonderful readers who have taken the time to review. It's absolutely heart-warming to hear your opinions good or bad. And for those who leave LONG reviews and those who I have the pleasure to hear from for almost every chapter, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

As i have been getting a lot of questions and comments about Marcus' life story with his love, here is my answer. You guys will hear about his story. But I am not promising that it is going to be a good one. I don't know yet if I'm going to explain what is happening in Edward's other life (whether time stops, if they're wondering where he is, etc.) right now or just wait for explanations when he gets back to his old reality. Now don't go thinking I just spoiled it. You all must know that he will end up going back. After all, I am a strict believer of HEAs.

Now enough of me talking and let's get going! A Marcus POV for this chapter. Read and review.

Chapter 14: The Invitation

Marcus sighed sadly as he watched Edward sleep. He may have been a materialistic asshole but Marcus could tell that Edward was finally learning from every one of his mistakes.

He was disappointed that he couldn't go with Edward to the children's center but Aro had summoned him. So off to see Aro he went.

Marcus felt that his meeting with his supervisor was pretty successful, if not a bit frustrating. Aro told him that he as it was holiday's season, he was very busy helping and watching over more angels on duty. He said that now more than ever, I had to stick with Edward to help him through any problems.

Marcus might be a bit rude and unsocial at times, but spending time with a guy like Edward wasn't all that bad. Edward was easier to work with than most, and tolerable when he kept his brooding under control.

However, Marcus didn't really want to spend all that much time with his charge, because, putting it simply, he was a tad bit jealous. Jealous, resentful, melancholy, whatever the feeling, he knew it was because of their similar situations. Edward was facing everything head on and heeded the warnings and even started to feel remorse for his behavior without even realizing it. The human Marcus had been a completely different story.

Marcus may not have had a guardian angel, to push him in the right direction, but he did have friends and family that cared. After all, many have said, "Friends and Family are angels in disguise."

It was true. Marcus had no one to blame but himself because every wrong decision he made was of his own doing. His sister, his mother, hell, even his father, hardly a pro in the love division, tried to help him. But in the end, the fog and illusion of power, sex and money won Marcus over. Those choices were something that he eternally regretted.

When it came to Edward, he just knew that his client was heading in the right direction. Now all they needed was to work out that last step, the major milestone, that will lead Edward back to his other life.

Marcus was struggling with whether to be happy for Edward or to resent him. He knew, with all his being, that even now, he would do anything and everything to get a second chance at life. To do right by Didyme. Unfortunately, his time had long passed. His job now was to make sure that Edward didn't end up just like him: bitter, jaded, regretful and well, just bitter.

In order to make that happen, Aro told him that he would have to do something that he could hardly stomach. For Edward to truly understand how his life would turn out if he didn't change his ways, Marcus was going to have to reveal his own story. Marcus struggled, it was something he didn't want to relive, ever.

Aro could assign him anything and Marcus would do it in a heartbeat for a chance to get his wings. Anything but this, it was too painful. Marcus had vowed, a long time ago, that he would never again discuss his past. Every time he did, the regret would come back to him tenfold and leave him feeling too vulnerable. Marcus couldn't remember the last time he'd let his guard down and he refused to do it now. To hell with Aro's orders. Edward can figure things out with Marcus tearing out his soul.

As if sensing Marcus' stubbornness, a gust of wind from above blew through the beautiful meadow, where the reluctant angel sat alone. "Marcus," sighed the deep voice of Aro, "I know you don't want to tell Edward about your past, but trust me, there are many obstacles still ahead and you need to tell him your story. He needs reassurance that he is making a difference, that he's slowly getting there. You may not think so, but if you tell him about your life with Didyme and your life without her, it will help Edward so much."

"Why? So he can have a laugh and tell me how big a fool I was for letting my only love go? What is it about my pathetic story that you think that will give him reassurance?" he demanded, with a voice sharper than it should be when speaking to one's supervisor, "Do you think that the fact that my story does NOT have a happy ending will help him achieve his own happy ending? NO! He'll just pity poor old Marcus. I don't think so."

"Very well. I can't force you to tell Edward, but if you did, it will help him understand that he is making a difference, that every day, he is getting closer to returning to his other life…" Aro repeated, and cryptically continued, "…especially after he gets home from work." Marcus raised his eyebrows at the last part. Usually, Aro was more forthcoming. Marcus looked up at the sky, well aware that there was nothing to see. "What do you mean?" he asked, grateful for his invisibility.

"Well, let's just say that our Edward will get an invitation to the Cullen's annual Christmas Cookout. It is one of the most looked forward to events of the year. Usually the Edward in this reality passes as Tanya makes a point of being home on that particular weekend, and guilt him into staying with her. However, this year, Carlisle will insist that Edward join them. Bella will be there…along with many others. It is a strictly family event, they consider Bella a part of the family, so prepare Edward to see her."

"Like who?" asked Marcus, already knew the answer but wanted Aro to confirm one guest in particular.

"As expected, Carlisle and Esme are the hosts, Emmett and Rosalie, Alice and Jasper, Bella, as I said, and...Jacob. It's your job to help Edward get through this evening. Prepare him as best as you can and never leave his side at the actual dinner. Now I have to go. I'll send you a message as soon if I hear anything new. Now go meet Edward and tell him about the cookout…warn him, we want to avoid another freak out."

A/N: Who's excited to finally see the Cullens and Jacob? Sadly, no kids yet...

We're one review away from 100, now would you please be a doll and leave a review?