Transition Plan Chapter 28: First Homecoming Part 15 - A Marvelous Party

The first Clan Greystoke Holiday party in more than two decades – doubling as Jane and Jonathan's official homecoming and wedding reception - was in full swing. Noblemen came from far and wide across the Commonwealth from many great houses aligned with Clan Greystoke. In addition, the Canadian and Australian embassies and the Protectorate of Nigeria, and even a representative of King Edward VII, who had only a few years before succeeded his mother Queen Victoria, with an official proclamation honoring the reestablishment of Clan Greystoke attended. This was a very big deal in English noble society. After its public reading to start the party, Jane and Tarzan hung the parchment prominently in the library immediately.

Yule log bonfires were set around the Castle grounds and could be seen for miles. The interior of Castle Greystoke was lighted with thousands of festive candles, lanterns, trees, and holiday décor. Holiday music filled the air in the Castle from a string quartet and carolers. Food and drink abounded at multiple serving tables and catered by the waiting staff.

The party's hostess, Countess Jane, was truly beautiful, with her hair done up with ribbons and bows in a clever mix of the Clan Greystoke and Porter colors and some light makeup. She had very tight curls and tendrils, and wore an elegant floor-length rust and brown dress with green highlights, with thick fabric pleats, puffy shoulders, accented by folds and lace. It was a very ancient Scottish design. Even more ancient was the incredible gold mesh necklace Tarzan had given her, which seemed to have Byzantine themes. He had never seen her prettier, and she looked like a Countess hosting a Holiday party from the 16th century.

Tarzan wore his formal Greystoke kilt ensemble and Count's sash again for all the party guests, and he was much more confident wearing it. Women were taken with his long hair, tied back like the American pioneers did. He fit the look of an ancient Scotsman.

Everyone raved about the elegant young couple, what a good match they were, and how very beneficial the pairing of Clans Porter and Greystoke was – combining the Houses of scholars and warrior-businessmen. Every one of the Greystoke guests were relieved to have the peerage rekindled and old traditions return again to a happy, festive Castle. The elderly guests were amazed at Jonathan's likeness to his parents. They were very gracious hosts.

Everyone loved Jane's kind demeanor and how she engaged and charmed everyone. No wonder she had tamed the 'jungle wild man' so fast in a tale of survival and self-sacrificing love all the guests could scarcely believe. At their first encounters, Jane had no idea her feral future husband was a nobleman, yet they fell in love and they married in the jungle nonetheless. They all could see why, with his handsomeness, quick wit, engaging smile, and intelligence. Their wonderful tale of love and perseverance would add to the thousand years of history of Clan Greystoke surmounting all odds against them to succeed. Their entire story was like a fairy tale to both Clans and friends.

No one was concerned about Tarzan's missing cousin and wife, who had never held the party. Jonathan had invited Agnes but she declined, as did the doctor, who had nearly caused both young people's deaths. He was ashamed of his cowardice and no one in the village wanted to be associated with him.

Jane's father arrived by carriage from his charter train carrying all the Clan Porter guests from London, with James attending him. She gasped with delight when she saw her father, her eyes sparkled for him, and she bolted from Tarzan's arm to hug her father so hard she almost made him spill his hot buttered rum that a valet had handed him walking in. James excused himself to meet and talk with Edward and Elisabeth.

"Oh, Daddy! I have missed you so much!" she gushed.

He chortled happily as she walked him back to her husband, "As I have missed you too, Jane, dear. What a splendid party, and an amazing home, Jane and Tar…oops… Jonathan."

Jane apologized for them both, "It wouldn't be the same without you, Daddy. I am sorry we were parted for Christmas."

"My dear children. You're married. You have your own lives now. In the jungle it was just fortunate that we could live so closely together. It was fine. The staff was with me, and you know how much like family they are to us. I understand that you've had a rough few days, and I am so sorry about the dreadful news about Captain d'Arnot. You needed to be together alone to recover, anyway."

The evening's program began, so Jane joined the string quartet, and Elisabeth played on piano for everyone. Jane performed several charming solos that elicited enthusiastic applause with her lilting soprano voice. The Greystoke guests had no idea of her talent, and nodded approvingly to Tarzan. She led everyone in carols and other songs, with the carolers backing her up. Tarzan watched her mesmerize the guests, and they winked at each other across the room.

At the conclusion, the crowd dispersed back to their socializing. Tarzan started to go with some trustworthy business associates that d'Arnot said he must meet, but Jane lingered and tugged on her father's coat, "Daddy, Tarzan and I have some delightful news for you."

"What could be better news that being the Countess of this magnificent ancient peerage, Jane? I am very, very proud of you."

Jane could not contain herself, "But Daddy, there is even better news. We're pregnant! All your advice worked so well for us. We just relaxed, loved each other as we did in the beginning, and it finally happened."

Archimedes hugged his daughter, and was very excited for her, "I am so happy for you and Jonathan, Jane dear, you both will be wonderful parents."

"I hope so."

"I know so."

Before the crowd got too dispersed from the great hall, Baron Porter reassembled them all together, having Edward help him, "Please everyone come back. I have an important announcement for all of you. Some very delightful news!"

He chuckled with the news. The Porter contingent always loved his jolly manner, and the Greystoke guests found him quaintly endearing. The crowd hushed and he spoke loudly in the great hall, "First, let me say that Barony Porter is absolutely delighted to be permanently allied with Clan Greystoke through my daughter's marriage to Count Clayton."

The applause was enthusiastic.

Archimedes continued, "Thank you. We all know that tonight the new Count and Countess of Greystoke have graciously reinstituted the classic Holiday Party so many of you attended with his parents and ancestors. Tonight we also celebrate my daughter's marriage to Count Jonathan Clayton almost ten months ago while we were still stranded during my unsuccessful gorilla study expedition. Love can't be stopped when it is right between two people, no matter where they come from."

A swell of cheers arose, and the couple blushed. They all understood his allusion to the Tarzan being from the jungle and Jane being from England. But Jane wondered what her father meant about 'unsuccessful' expedition – it had been successful beyond his wildest imagination.

A cheery smile spread across his face, "But unknown to anyone until tonight, my dear daughter and son-in-law have some more good news for all of you."

He motioned for them to come forward and tell of the birth to come. Jane grasped Tarzan formally by the arm and they stood with her father, as they proceeded to cheerfully address the crowd about their maternity news.

The applause was truly thunderous.

The New Year's champagne was ordered opened by Edward early on the young couple's behalf. Archimedes raised the first toast to their marriage and baby, but Jane just had some regular egg nog as she stood arm in arm with Tarzan. She blushed with the loving tribute her father made about her and Jonathan's fateful meeting in the jungle over a year ago, with rousing applause, especially from the guests from Barony Porter who had made the trip to see them.

Now that news of her pregnancy was public, people crowded around them with many congratulations offered to the young couple. People were amazed to learn that so much of their life together as a couple occurred in the jungle, as well as his two decade survival prior to that. Loyal friends of Clan Greystoke were all relieved that there would be a new heir from the personable, beautiful, intelligent and gifted daughter of the well-regarded Oxford scholar-Baron, who was herself a scientist. Alice Clayton would have been delighted with her son's choice, concluded many, and especially how her son carried his new responsibilities.

After the special toasts, Jane again engaged her father in conversation, "I can hardly wait to get on the boat tomorrow night and catch up with you on the long voyage, Daddy."

He looked away, "Jane dear, I am not going right away. I will come later."

"But why, Daddy?"

"You two lovebirds need each other alone for awhile. Especially with a baby on the way and the special private time that couples need prior to raising a family. I have some affairs to settle here."

She pleaded with him, "But Daddy, you must go back with us. Kala will be heartbroken."

"She'll understand dear."

"But Daddy, she loves you."

"I… I know, Jane. I love her too. Tell her I have some 'people business' to do first so I can return to her later, and not worry about affairs here when I go back to be with her."

"All right Daddy. But I wish you would reconsider. There's more you aren't saying. I can tell. I don't want to play our 'secrets game' tonight. You must just tell me now."

"All right. Sit down, dear. I will tell you. I do not want to give you undue stress as a new mother to be," he sighed and began his story.

Three days ago – Oxford University

Archimedes stood before the Anthropology Department Chair's massive desk.

He was a jolly heavyset man, "Well, Archimedes my dear fellow, we're certainly pleased to see you back safely. I trust you are fine? No terrible jungle diseases? You seem to have lost weight and have some color, Professor. Being lost in the jungle was good for you, it seems."

"It was, my dear Doctor Osgood," he was very anxious to explain his experiences and the many revelations he and Jane discovered in spite of John Clayton, and get on the lecture circuit he had planned.

"Well tell me, good man. It is a shame our old mentor Darwin passed away over twenty five years ago, he would be anxious to see all your research to prove his theories. Your success will make you a very famous man like him. You might even get the Queen's Medal. There are benefactors and sponsors for more than a dozen research teams to study them further. We will have two to three teams there year round for over a decade."

Archimedes was horrified. That many people descending on the gorilla troop would be very disruptive - even worse than what was happening with the oil exploration intruders. The gorillas would live in a fishbowl. And what would it do to Tarzan and Jane? Everything they had together hinged on the private, simple, natural life they had chosen. The world was probably not ready for humans living among the gorillas in the mist, or the revelations of who and what Tarzan, the Lord of the Jungle, really was.

Archimedes swallowed all of his pride and desires, and thought fast to protect the gorilla family and his children, "I'm not so sure, Dr. Osgood, that is a good idea. The gorillas were very shy. It wasn't until the two months into the expedition when we originally planned to go back that we even saw them. Too many people observing them all the time would terrify them, altering their behaviors significantly. They had enough traumas while we were there."

"You were there nearly a year to study them in-depth. What happened, Archimedes? This is your life's work. This was everything you ever dreamed of and prepared yourself for."

He explained that Clayton had swindled and tricked him when the ship came back, imprisoned him and Jane, and planned to capture and cage all the gorillas and take them to zoos, and killed the bull at a time when they had just made contact with the family. All for a handsome sum by other investors with malice intended. The University had been betrayed. To make it right for the rogue actions of John Clayton, Sir Cedric of Clayton Industries was reimbursing the University for the costs.

Osgood sat back in his chair, and sighed, "The cost, Archimedes, is the inestimable loss of data of gorilla behaviors you wanted because of this devious man Clayton. I am so sorry for you, my good man. This Clayton fellow ruined the entire expedition."

He sighed deeply, making a crucial decision, "Thank you, Dr. Osgood. I am afraid it was indeed almost a total loss. The remnant of the gorilla troop scattered deep into the inaccessible mountains. The past months Jane and I were only focused on survival to be rescued. Not science."

Osgood shook his head, "This is most unfortunate. Unless you can give us some definitive results, those teams will never go forward, especially if the gorillas disappeared into the mountains. No one wants to take a risk that you haven't already."

"I am sorry, Dr. Osgood. I have almost nothing. We will have to leave research on primates to another generation, my dear Doctor."

"Tut, tut, dear Archimedes. You are still the expert in the field. Your accomplishments will be studied for decades. Spring semester begins in but a few weeks. The students would be very happy to see you teaching again. They all have such fun in your classes, I dare say."

"Perhaps fall semester, I think, Doctor, I would like to take a leave of absence. This whole affair has been more traumatic than losing my wife. I am most fortunate to have gained a son–in-law of great stature upon our return, or I think I would have lost my mind entirely."

"Granted, Archimedes. Take the time you need, and come back to us rested."

"Thank you. Good day sir."

At home in his private study, Archimedes took his detailed journals, bound them together with a strap and key, and locked them deep in his private vault. They would only ever be read by Tarzan and Jane and their progeny. It was more a record of the love story between Tarzan and Jane and their gorilla family anyway. Fame had its price and he was not willing to pay that price. Disclosing the amazing truth of the gorillas and Tarzan of the Apes to the world would destroy the lives of his daughter, son-and-law, and the gorilla family that now meant everything to him.

Author's Notes: Even in the midst of celebration and joy there is sadness for the Porters. Despite the temptation of putting Tarzan together with Darwin the evolutionist (one guest reviewer's suggestion), I remain true to history. Darwin died in 1882 and this story is set in the winter of 1907-1908, but I did make him Archimedes' mentor. I also had to put Archimedes' discoveries about gorilla behavior during his expedition in the original movie and my fan fic in historical context. Although there were some human contacts with gorillas in the 1930s that were little more than hunts, it was not until the early 1966 that definitive, non-intrusive studies were made of gorilla behaviors, sponsored by Dr. Leakey the anthropologist and conducted by Dian Fossey in a tragic story of its own. To be true to that historical fact, I had Archimedes bury his research, for all the right reasons. That research by Fossey inspired the movie 'Gorillas in the Mist' and I used that line in the story as a tribute to her research. I also noted the reign of Edward VII, the eldest son of Queen Victoria, who died in 1901, but the effects of her reign still pervaded the times of Tarzan and Jane.