Plot: Marcus Pike heads a highly efficient task force for many years now and his career is going up and up. She on the other hand is trying to organize her life from a trying ordeal when an unexpected event put her life on a spin again.
Character: Marcus Pike
AN: Marcus Pike was a guest character in the show The Mentalist. If you don't like the character, okay. I get you. Don't read the story. No one asked you to come here. This is MY story and you don't have the right to tell me that it doesn't belong here.
Music: Cuddlin' by Pandrezz & Spend a Lifetime by Jamiroquai [Lyrics for Spend a Lifetime is below]
CHAPTER 11
Loving you madly & recklessly
with sanity and inhibitions cast away in the wind
is the most wise & irrational decision I've ever had…
~Sensual Musings of Jen
"He's here."
That voice.
No, why would he be here. He doesn't look like the type who's into black tie affairs like these. He's at that goddamned call center hub fixing some stupid server that got fucking infected by some effing virus or….
Oh, this is surreal, she thought as the man spares her a glance before he took the short steps up to the stage; his dark eyes rake her from her feet up. Tessa began to shiver as if she'd been dipped in a tub full of ice. The room begins to spin and she kind of felt lightheaded. She hungrily focuses her eyes on him because for some weird reason it also helps keep her a little steady. She concentrates on his thick well-combed hair, swept to the side. It shines against the spotlight but it seems to have lost the curls and waves she has always wanted to run her fingers through….
"Hi! May I have the name of our bidder?" The emcee points the mike to the man as he stops in the middle of the stage.
"Marcus Pike."
"Oh my!" The emcee gushes. "I feel your voice! For a moment I thought you would say your name's Clark Gable! Are you an actor, sir?"
"No."
Someone handed the emcee a queue card, "Oh, here we go! Who is our winner? Mr. Pike is..." The emcee gasps in shock when Marcus glides his palm over the emcee's hand holding the mike. "Ahhh…"
"May I say something?"
"Ah…oh…you…you have beautiful eyes…." The emcee stammers. "Oh! Oh…oh sure…what do you want to say?" Flustered, he let Marcus take the microphone from him.
"I think we should thank Ms. Salvador for being so patient. The bidding took a long time. Would you like to join me for dinner, Ms. Salvador?" The audience seemed to be enthralled; they hang on to his every word.
Tessa couldn't look at Marcus in the eye but she placed her hand in his extended hand. "Sh…sure."
"My assistant will send you the check. I had fun. Good night!" And with that Marcus escorts Tessa down the stage amidst the applause. He turns back and grabs Tessa by the waist and lifts her down. The audience reacts with surprise with added shouts of 'whoo!' and 'yeah!' to the applause.
"Oh my! Ohh! They look perfect together, right? Romance in the air! Yes!" The emcee vigorously fans himself with his queue cards as if he's going to faint. "Oh! Lucky girl!" The emcee's antics got a lot of amused laughter from the crowd.
-o0o-
"Tessa! Heeey! Where are you going?" He hopes that those narrow straps are strong enough to withstand her furious steps. Marcus couldn't fathom how women could manage to walk fast in those silly thin heels. Quite sexy on her.
"To kill someone!" Tessa's anger must have projected to the crowd because like Moses parting the Red Sea they moved out of her way.
Shit! It sounds as if she's been possessed by the devil or something. That's scary and eerie. "I hope it's not me…"
With blazing eyes Tessa faces him, her golden earrings swinging. "Thanks for reminding me because you're next!"
Oh hell, she's possessed. "Why?" Marcus spreads his arms in confusion. "What did I do?"
"You have to wait on that." Tessa slams open a door.
"Uh…Tessa? This is the men's room?" Whoa! Marcus shuts up after Tessa gave him such a dark look.
"Out!" Tessa tells the two men inside then started banging at the doors of the stalls. "Mel! Come out here!"
"Hey! What the fuck are…." The man looks down at Marcus's hand splayed on his chest.
"The lady says out." Marcus drawls, he gives the man a slight push. "You wanna be a murder witness?" The man went bug eyed and took to the door. The other man has already shuffled outside but wants to hang around out of curiosity. Marcus shut the door on them. "Are you sure he's here?"
"Oh yes!" Tessa nodded with certainty. "He's here. I know his cologne anywhere. Mel!" Her yell resonated inside the tiled room.
"Fuck me!" Marcus snickers darkly when one of the stalls opens a crack.
"Tessa!" the man grins awkwardly, only a portion of his face showing. "Hi!"
"Step out, Mel."
"Uh…it's not a good time…really not good." The man, Mel sound nervous. "What…what are you doing?"
"Oh." Tessa puts the phone on speaker then holds the phone up in that cheeky way. "I'm calling your parents."
The swarthy man pales when he read the caller ID. "No, don't!" Mel shakes his head vigorously, he looks terrified.
"Here. Now." The phone continues to ring. Tessa waves the phone; brows up.
Mel went wide eyed when the call was picked up. 'Hello? Who is this?' In a panic he reaches out. Tessa moves the phone away from him. The man fell over with a crash on the tiles. Tessa closes the call.
"Tessa! What the fuck are you doing?!" Tessa began taking Mel's picture including the other person behind him in the stall who is in equal state of dishabille.
"The fuck did you do to me? You entered me into a fucking auction!"
"It's just a joke!" Mel struggles to get up the floor but his pants kept getting in the way. Friend or not Tessa might kill him if he accidentally exposes himself to her. This is a first; he has never put on his clothes on the floor and on his side.
"I was sold for two. fucking. million!" Mel went down again after Tessa gave him a shove in the back.
"Really? Fuck shit! That's amazing!" Mel hurriedly got up on all fours and then finally up on two feet. He grins at Marcus as he zips his pants. "Hey…aren't you Tessa's…?" Tessa gave him a stinging slap.
"Focus, okay? You will sign a confession stating the reason why you entered my name in the auction."
"Why?"
"One, it was a sham and, two, he's going to be in trouble!"
"I will be in trouble?" Leaning by the door Marcus has a slight frown on his forehead. He opens the door a crack, leans out to check the situation outside. He talks to someone quietly, maybe to people who want to use the toilet.
"Well, I doubt that you have that money. Do you know you can get sued for failing to pay?"
"Oh." Marcus closes the door and leans on it. "That would be a problem, yes." Is this the ex? Are they back together again? Is this all about jealousy for finding her guy in the men's room? At first that was where Marcus's assumption but the story keeps getting a little more complex….and a little weirder.
Tessa frowns at Marcus's reaction. "Shit, look at him! He has no idea what trouble he got himself into. Damn it, Mel!"
"He bought you? No shit?" Mel gasps when Marcus holds up the 'Winner' tablet. "You know what you can do to pay him back…" his theatrical whisper to Tessa's ear bounces in the room. Marcus clears his throat, a little uncomfortable.
"This," Face ablaze in embarrassment, Tessa points to the pictures on her phone, "goes to your parents if you don't confess!"
"You're blackmailing me?!"
"No. I'm trying to make you face your immature and rash decision!"
"Rash decision? Me?" Mel slaps his chest, upset. "Look who's talking!"
"What are you saying now?" she asks wearily.
"You left! You didn't even care about me…'
"Oh! Wow! That's so typical of you! You make everything about yourself! I went through a personal crisis! I needed the isolation so….."
"So that American friend is better than me…"
"Shut up! Don't drag her into this! Look at you!"Tessa pushes Mel to the wall. "We haven't seen each other in a long time and this is your sick version of a welcome?"
Mel sagged against the wall with a pained expression. "Am…am I really that bad of a friend?"
"Well, who put me up for auction, huh?" Tessa slaps Mel up the head.
"Aww! Not the hair I said!" Mel growls.
Tessa grabs a fistful of Mel's shirt. "If you do anything like this again I will shave your entire head!" Eyes burning, Tessa threatens a clawed hand over Mel's coif.
"Alright! I get it!" Mel had a brief wrestling match with Tessa to save his hair. "it's just because..."
"Nope!" Tessa held up a stiff hand. "Spare me your narc streak. All I need from you is that confession, okay? I'm not even asking for an apology!"
Mel had the nerve to look shocked and hurt. "Why not?"
Tessa put a hand on a hip, "Would you give it?"
"I'm sorry, Tessa." Mel whispers and tries to look cute by pouting and tugging at the lace on her skirt.
"The confession!" Tessa insists.
"Yeah, I'll write it. Pen and paper?" He looks genuinely contrite as he takes his jacket from the stall and puts it on.
"Shit! I don't have any..."
"I know someone who does." The two friends look surprised when Marcus spoke. "Follow me?" Without waiting for the two Marcus opens the door and steps out of the men's room, the door slowly closes. Marcus looks around; the auction is in full swing, there are other parties going on in other galleries, people are still arriving, food and booze is flowing. Shortly after Tessa and Mel opens the door.
"Hey!" Tessa scowls, she looks back at the people reacting at something amusing. "What're they smiling at?"
"Us." Marcus leans to Tessa. "Threesome." He whispers low to Tessa's ear.
Tessa gasps as she got goosebumps; that buzz of desire is back again. Why did he do that? The whisper…fuck that whisper. Shit! "Threes…?" Tessa grabs Mel's arm painfully when the horrific implication dawned on her. "I'll just kill you now!"
"Ow!" Mel jerks his arm away from Tessa. "Hey! Who was it who barged in the men's room, duh!"
"Shut up!" So far Marcus has counted that 'shut up' can be spoken in a variety of intonations, volume, gravity and speed. The things he learns from Tessa…he smirks.
Hands in his pockets the mysterious man in the blue suit steers them towards one of the smaller galleries that were cordoned off from the crowd. Marcus acknowledges the nods of the two men standing inside the second barricade. One of them unhooks the chain for them to pass through. Marcus approaches a door to the right. "Where are we going?" Mel nervously looks around. "It's kinda dark here…"
"To the pen and paper." Marcus holds the doorknob but turns to Tessa. "You wanna know where I work, right?"
"Uh," Tessa looks up at Marcus; her heart pounds hard for some reason. "Yes. Why? Do…you work here?"
Marcus quickly opens the door and ushers them inside. "Come in."
"What's this place?" The gallery still has paintings hanging on the walls but in the middle of the brightly lit galleria equipment of various kinds is either out or in boxes on the floor, large LCD screens are up on one side of the room. There are about twenty people moving around…professional looking people. It looks like a security set up. Shit. Tessa and Mel exchange worried looks.
"Where I work."
"You work for the gallery?" Tessa frowns. Hey, wasn't that the waiter who…?
"No."
"The auction company?"
"No." They follow Marcus as he goes to the far end of the room. "Paul! Give this man something to write on."
"Sure." The man Marcus called turns, looks at Mel and grabs a clipboard on a table with blank paper on it. "Follow me." He motions Mel to a door to the left.
"Where are they going?" Tessa follows her friend with a worried eye. Something's wrong.
"Just to a room."
"Is Mel in trouble?"
"Come with me." Marcus leads Tessa to another door where he opens it. "Your feet must be killing you." Marcus gestures her to an office table with chairs.
"Thanks." More equipment containers were stacked against one wall. It looks strange to see something utilitarian beside some artworks. Tessa looks around the room, going to the nearest chair. "I hope it's not about Mel and his…you know…in the men's room?"
"Weirder things have happened in toilet stalls, believe me." Marcus also takes a seat across from her. "Friend? Boyfriend?" Marcus nods to the other room. He leans back when he got settled, legs crossed.
Tessa's chest pounds in dread; she begins to worry her red string bracelet; everything about Marcus from the way he acts and speaks is totally different. He feels like a stranger. He also looks like a stranger. "School friend. University."
He levels Tessa a steady gaze. "Does he know anyone from the auction or the gallery?"
"Yeah, the director and his son, James." Did she say something important? Marcus looks interested. "Is everything alright?"
"Why are you here?" Damn it, where are my smokes? Marcus pats his jacket pocket but there's nothing there. It feels strange to cross examine Tessa. The guarded look in her eyes is back again.
The way that he asks questions; professional and direct gave Tessa a bad feeling. "Mel introduced me to the gallery director then I had an interview for the curator position." Finally to her relief Marcus smiles at her.
"Did you get the job?"
"Uh, that's the thing.' Tessa looks away from those lips, breathing deep. "I needed to talk to you about it."
"Hmm? Me? Why?"
"Because if I get hired I wouldn't be able to perform my duty as your caretaker."
"So? A curator's a great job, isn't that right?"
"Yeah, but no one's going to be at the house."
"It's only a house, Tessa."
Tessa took a deep breath, held it and released it slowly before she did that sexy shrug again. "I'm torn." She looks down as she continues to worry her red string bracelet.
"You have an impressive resume, Tessa. You're being wasted there."
"Oh!' Tessa rolls her eyes, annoyed. "Why do people keep saying that?!"
"It's true."
Tessa sighs as she crosses her legs. "I like exploring new avenues, getting out of my comfort zone."
Marcus could barely look away from her feet and her toes in dark glossy polish. "You're way too deep in comfort zone right now."
"You think so?" Tessa became serious, she sighs.
"You know, I was impressed to hear you teach. I had no idea that your lessons were that complicated. You talk about business, psychology, history, music…everything!"
"When did you…?" Marcus gave her a slow smirk that gave rise to goosebumps and made her involuntary cross her legs more.
"I wasn't always delirious or asleep, you know. I watched you light up. You love teaching, I know. I also love it when you listen to music and you…" Marcus shakes his head. "were so sexy when you dance to your…"
"Dance? What?" she frowns, trying to remember.
"In your chair, while you do your class evals…" Marcus smiles, and looks away as he remembers when he was sick almost three weeks ago. "I was fascinated whenever you'd sway to the music as you type in that fast pace of yours when you're writing your student's evaluation. It's kinda frustrating not to hear what you're listening to but it's never frustrating to watch you sway and gyrate lightly sitting in your computer chair, your eyes sometimes closed, your fingers softly tapping on your knees or the table to the beat of the music. It's a challenge to pretend to be asleep and not be turned on when you do those things. There are times that you might have forgotten that I was in the room with you so absorbed in your work…." the man clears his throat.
"Marcus…I didn't know…" What a revelation, Tessa reached out to grasp Marcus's hand.
"I'm sorry you had to divide your time between me and to your job. It wasn't that easy for you. Thank you for taking really good care of me."
"You're welcome, Marcus…" Tessa whispers as her blush deepens at his gaze.
"So, how are you?" Marcus was shocked when Tessa suddenly burst into tears. "Tessa…hey…hey…" He stood up and immediately took her in his arms. He was so worried that she might be traumatized by the auction.
She sobs; her tears were falling like waterfall, body shaking. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm okay, Tessa! Why?"
Tearfully Tessa leans back, gazing at his face, caressing his face and neck as if to make sure he is okay and he's not a dream or an illusion. "I was so worried sick about you!" she weeps against his chest.
"You were...worried about me?" Tessa nods while Marcus rubs her back. When he noticed that her dress has a deep V cut halfway down her back he slid his hand under the edge and kept his hand there, his fingers relishes the feel of her smooth skin. "Why?"
"You were still ill when you left. You were in my bed then I just left you to take a bath and then you were gone!"
"As you can see I am whole and healthy and able to save a damsel in distress, I think…" He held her tighter. "I'm sorry for making you worry. I'm such an….I've never had anyone worry about me."
"What? That's terrible."
With a gentle hand Marcus dabs Tessa's tears carefully. He chuckles when she keeps on sniffling and wiping her nose. "Here, blow your nose or we'll drown in snot. I seem to be losing my handkerchiefs lately…" he sighs with a rueful smile.
-o0o-
'You hearing this?' Outside the room, one of Marcus's female staff points at the question she wrote on the white board and then point to her ear. She has a wide smile like the others. The writer quickly wipes the board clean.
Bed and bath, eh? Someone else wrote on the board then winked and exchanged a high five with another agent. He wiped it clean then someone took the marker and wrote…
So, he's with this girl this whole time?
Looks like it. One of the guys winks.
He's in love….
OMG…
Aww…
That's amazing…
No wonder he doesn't want us to find out. The men gave each other knowing smiles and grins.
She's very pretty! One female agent scribbles.
She's hella sexy! The men shared some raised brows.
She's the boss's girlfriend! Assholes! A female agent glowers at the male agents.
I love her dress!
Oh! Yes! I wonder where she got it!
I like the shoes!
The men roll their eyes as the women took over the white board.
Our grumpy and serious boss… Wrote a blonde female agent.
With a wide smile another female agent continues the sentence… being so gentle and soft-spoken, for once!
The boss is human after all. A tall male agent taps the words he had written high above the board and looks around at the people gathered there.
And he has a sweet spot! The female agents almost burst out laughing when the same guy wrote Marcus and Tessa's names inside a large heart.
-o0o-
"Anything I can get you before you begin writing?" Paul leaves the clipboard on the table in front of the man in tux.
"Nah, I'm okay."
"But are you okay?"
"What's that mean?" Mel sighs then rubs his hands on his face. "Fuck. I messed up."
Paul nods to the paper on the table. "This fixes it."
"Really?" Mel shakes his head as he pulls the stationary towards him.
"Step one. Then you have a lifetime." Paul frowns. He gets up and looks beyond the glass door. What's going on there? Are they…what's up?
"Anything wrong?" Mel looks up as Paul swears.
-o0o-
"It's in my bag back home." Tessa sniffs and blew her nose. "I haven't time to wash it."
"At least it's in good hands."
Tessa looks up at him as he makes sure she is snot free. "This is the weirdest night of my life ever!"
"You mean not me feverishly wandering around the house because you left the bed?"
"No. It was when you stitched up Cleo. I've never seen anything like that up close!"
"I just remembered, although you never gave me the copy of that sexy song I found it and downloaded it. I found others." He winks at her.
"I told you it wasn't sexy! Only you'll think it was and good for…you know." Tessa giggles.
"By the way, you look gorgeous." Marcus whispers as his hand digs deeper into the gap of Tessa's dress.
"Oh, thanks." Tessa blushed and tries not to gasp at how his hands felt good. "Courtesy of that idiot over there."
"Hmm, that idiot has good taste…." Marcus kisses Tessa's wrist and had to smile a little at her shaky breath….but then…
Tessa smiles up to him when she heard how Marcus reacted to her touch under his jacket. "He left me standing up that stage! I will kill that idiot tonight, believe me."
"Hey, I missed you." Marcus whispers as he runs the back of his hand upon Tessa's cheek and the side of her neck.
Tessa closes her eyes as she lays her head on the comfort of his chest. "I missed you too." she looks up at him. "Hmm, are you sure it was me you miss and not the coffee?"
"How could you say that? Of course it was the coffee." They chuckle.
"I miss the scones…" Tessa crinkles her nose at him.
Marcus dips down to kiss Tessa's forehead tenderly. "Don't worry; I'll make some when I come back."
"Aherm!" There was a soft knock. "Uh…chief…?" They turn to the door to see Paul and the man has this smile that could be interpreted as guarded. Marcus frown his question. When Paul taps his own ear, Marcus heard the sound in his and Marcus mouthed 'Fuck!' Marcus notes with some irritation that more people seemed to be passing by the open door that he forgot to close. Some are even quite shameless about it. The coms are on!
"What?" Marcus almost spat at the man.
"Uh, the kid's still writing."
"Good. Keep him there. He'll be out of trouble." Marcus orders tersely. He keeps Tessa in his arms, her head and hand on his chest. Her other arm holds him tight around the waist.
"Okay…" The man Paul seemed to be reluctant to leave. He seemed for some reason tickled pink. "Non è pulito." He said and Marcus's gave him a barely noticeable nod, eyes serious.
"Shut the goddamned door!" Paul smirks as he swings the door closed.
-o0o-
Paul Brisse's POV:
Everyone was worried when Marcus's team heard some gossip that their director had been issued a new position. Then soon enough the Renaissance team was rocked to learn about the change of leadership. Paul almost declined the position but Marcus contends that he needs someone he could trust to take over in case their government decides to retain him on a permanent position.
For now it's still Marcus's team; Paul insists that he is just interim Director but Marcus still calls the shots and does the work that they cannot accomplish on their own.
Case in point- Paul called Marcus about a dilemma they encountered with the current mission they are running. Martina, one of their operatives had been stranded in Munich and cannot fly ahead of the courier.
Although Paul knew that Marcus was still suffering the side-effects of the broad spectrum vaccine from his physical he had no choice but to call him. When they had that call from one of their embassies in Southeast Asia they didn't expect to see their boss there from across the screen. Knowing that Marcus is still there and the only one within half a day's flying distance to Japan he asked the man for help. Though the director sounded groggy and weak Paul didn't hear any complain. The man asked for details about the situation then Marcus flew to Japan to tail the courier.
Through his contacts in Tokyo Marcus was able to determine where the courier is going next. Marcus also found the name of the courier. When they discover that the courier is on his way to The Philippines they moved the team because this is a big mission and it is now impossible to just operate remotely. They went to work quickly because they have to be there before the courier does. Another bureau team went with them as back up and support in whatever capacity.
He and the rest of the team landed a few days after. When Marcus came back from Japan Marcus was also the one who met with the director of the gallery. The director was accommodating enough and allowed the team to set up in one of their closed galleries.
After Paul was done it was the boss's turn to do some reconnaissance round in the gallery when he swore. "Tessa?! What the fuck's she doing here?!"
"Chief?" Paul steps beside Marcus looking up the screen. "Oh, she's up for the fun auction."
"'Fun auction' bullshit!"
"It's for a good cause, right?"
"Do you know what happens after that 'fun auction'?"
"Uh, dinner? Drinks?" Paul shrugs. He smiles though he became uneasy at Marcus's demeanor.
"And something else!" Marcus points at the screen. "She didn't want to be there!"
So Paul began to look at the telltale signs; the faces, the body language and most especially the eyes. "Right. Oh, shit!" Paul Brisse looks on when Marcus opens one of the cases and took one of the auction tablets they have copied from the real auction house. They didn't think they'll need it but in their missions they always bring a 'just in case' item; either people, a weapon or equipment for emergencies. "Chief, what are you doing?"
"I'm entering the auction." Marcus connects the device into one of the servers to download his client information.
"Uh, why?" This is something new that Paul learned; the chief can be rattled.
"To outbid everyone else." Marcus swore again after hearing the bidding has started, his jaw tense. "Come on. C'mon…c'mon…" Marcus's eyes never leave the screen; at the woman on the screen.
"Do you know her?" Paul becomes concerned because Marcus is getting worried.
"Yes." As soon as the device beeps its activation Marcus made his first bid.
-o0o-
With a sigh of regret Marcus removes the earpiece and turned it off then he dropped the device inside his coat pocket. The people outside just had to speculate whatever is happening in the room. He doesn't fucking care.
"Marcus? Why did you leave that day? You were still sick."
"I was needed in an emergency." Marcus smiles when Tessa leaned her head back to his chest again. "I was actually feeling horrible when I left."
"He," with her hand seemingly glued to his chest, Tessa lifts a finger to point outside. It made Marcus grin. "Paul, the man called you 'chief.' You're his boss."
"Yeah." He whispers as he braces himself. He has never done this before and he is uneasy and nervous as hell.
"At?" She looks up at him.
"I work for the government." There. The truth is out. Kinda.
"Okay." she nods as she settles back in his arms.
Marcus waits for more questions. "'Okay'?" Tessa nods on his chest. He smiles in astonishment. "That's it?"
"Yes." Tessa looks up again.
"Work for me."
"What?"
"I need people. I need competent people and people I can trust. I trust you with my life." Marcus closes his eyes when Tessa caressed his cheek.
"I'm touched, Marcus."
"It's hard to trust in my kind of work. Also, this is my last job."
"What will you do after this?"
"I start at a new post."
"What was your old job?"
They turn to the door again at the almost discrete knock. "Sir?" Paul inched the door open carefully. "Are you decent?"
"What? What do you mean?"
"Dressed, with clothes not in your underwear?"
"Yes." Tessa starts to giggle and Marcus got infected and began to chuckle too. "What is it?"
"You have a visitor."
"Who?"
"Miss Sasha Green."
-o0o-
Spend A Lifetime
-Jamiroquai -
Touch me in the night time
All I want from you is love
And I know you can give me such sweet moments
To last me so long
'Cause you make me feel so strong
All I want to do is spend a lifetime with you baby
Make it happen
All I want to do is spend a lifetime with you baby
Oh girl
All I want to do is spend a lifetime with you baby
'Cause you make me that good
And nothing else matters
Until you're in my arms, girl
And all those broken promises we made to each other
We have so much more to give
I know that we can do this
That's how I want to live
Eternally, together
All I want to do is spend a lifetime with you, baby
All I want to do is spend a lifetime with you, baby
Will you make it happen for us now
Please this time
You know I need your touch honey
I want your touch honey
Like the morning sun has just begun
Girl, like the rain on my window pane
Girl, if I could make you stay
More than one day
Eternally together
Oh girl I need your touch
Oh girl I want your loving
Sweet, you know that we can make it happen
For you and for me to be
And eternally together we will be