"Hello, Marcus." Rosalie greeting the robed man formally. She stood in her grand hallway wearing a dark blue gown, her golden hair twisted up in an elegant knot at the base of her slender neck. She stood at almost six feet tall in a pair of skyscraper silver pumps that showed off her toned legs through the high slit in her dress. A set of expensive silver earing swung gently against the side of her face. Except for the utterly bored look on her face, she was positively stunning.

Marcus stooped in a low bow before picking up her hand in his and setting a small kiss on the palm. He looked just as dark as always; black hair framed a white face and a pair of blood red eyes. Although he was a mere year older than her when he was turned, he looked far older than his nineteen years… positively ancient looking. "You look ravishing, Rosalie, absolutely spectacular."

"Thank you." Rosalie lived for complements, but his had always been more than excessive and rather unwelcome.

"May we go somewhere and chat? It has been a rather long trip and I would love to speak with you privately."

"My family is out hunting, presently, but for the time being you may follow me into the drawing room." Rosalie turned on her heel and glided silently down the hallway. She guided Marcus to a large sitting room and sat down silently in a decorative armchair.

Marcus sat on the couch opposite her, a large grin on his face. "I am so pleased that you allowed me to visit, you have no idea how long I've waited to see you."

"Yes, of course." Rosalie answered vaguely. She glanced at the grandfather clock briefly and noted that her unwelcome suitor had only been in her home for all of one minute and twelve seconds; much too long for her taste.

"How have you been? I haven't had the pleasure of seeing you for several years now."

"Quite fine, thank you, and yourself?"

"I would have been better only if you had been with me."

Rosalie fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Well, it's nice to know that you're doing well."

"I am much better now that I am with you." Marcus swooned.

"Lovely."

"Your family is well?"

"Quite, thank you."

"And you are happy here, in this little New York town? Last time we spoke you were living in London. This quiet place is a far cry from the bustling streets of London."

"I do not stay in one place for long. It's only a matter of time before I move on again."

"So you would never like to find a permanent home?"

She shrugged prettily. "When I find a good place, I will stay. Until then, I plan on traveling."

"Did you not like Volterra when you visited? It is quite lovely and our family it large and powerful."

"I'm always fond of Italy."

"So would you like to possibly come for a spell? Spend some time at my home? Perhaps visit with the rest of the family?"

"Perhaps." Rosalie sighed. She wanted nothing more than for him to leave but she couldn't risk being blatantly rude to a member of the Volturri.

Marcus leaned a crossed the coffee table and clasped Rosalie's tiny hands in his. For a moment Rosalie looked with disgust at his long fingernails. "Oh, Rosalie, please come back with me."

"Excuse me?"

"For the past three decades, I have pined for you so. The first day I saw you in my city wearing that marvelous red dress, I knew you were the one."

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "The one?"

"Yes, the one!" He stood up quickly and fell to his knees on the front Rosalie's chair, her hands still trapped in his. "Oh, Rosalie. Please say that you will be my bride!"

Rosalie gasped and pried her hands from his cold fingers. "I… I…"

Marcus reached into the dark confined of his robe and pulled out a ring box. When he snapped open the lid, Rosalie saw a diamond ring with a stone the size of a walnut. "Marry me!"

"Oh, darling!" Esme cried from the doorway. Rosalie turned towards the door and saw Carlisle and Esme standing in the frame looking completely pleased. Edward sulked behind them, a distant look on his face. "You're getting married!"

Rosalie opened her mouth to object but Marcus quickly cut in. "Yes, We shall marry before the first full moon!" He thrust the heavy ring onto her slender finger. "You have a mere week to plan our wedding, my love."

"Oh, I can't believe my baby's getting married!" Esme, although incapable of tears, gently held a handkerchief to her wide eyes. "Oh, I do love weddings."

"Congratulations, old chap!" Carlisle crossed the room and began shaking Marcus's heavily jeweled hands.

Edward caught Rosalie's eye and gave her a strange glare she couldn't quite interpret. "Rosalie, may I speak with you privately?"

More than eager to get away, Rosalie dashed past Marcus and her parents before pulling Edward into the kitchen and closing the doors behind them. "What is it?"

"You're marrying this guy?"

"Why do you care?" She scoffed.

"Just answer me."

"I don't know. I suppose I have to now. Edward you know the rules; members of the Volturri may court and marry whomever they wish unless that person is already sealed to another. Sadly, I am fully single and if I deny Marcus's advances, he has the power to kill all of us."

"You don't have to do this."

"No, I think I do."

"Rosalie… but what if you didn't have to… what if there was another way?"

She fell into a chair and put her heads in her hands. "There isn't."

"Oh, trust me, Rosalie. There is."

There's plenty more ahead! review to get the next chapter =)