"Baby Shower Part 1"

Author's Notes: I'm writing again, but in a limited way, by just publishing, and not able to respond back to any of your nice reviews you may care to write, so I thank you in advance for reading my story. In this short two chapter interlude I answer another question that has been hanging unanswered for some time, as you will soon find out. If you like this I will keep writing. I have a World War I adventure I would like to share with you all.

…One week after Jack's birth…

A moderately large sailing ship, about two thirds the size of the Destiny, pulled into the hidden cove.

The Captain asked the leader of the expedition, "Sir, are you sure this is the right spot? It seems so… isolated."

"Believe me Captain Seward, the Count prefers it this way," the expedition leader said with a knowing grin.

"Well, sir, you know him much better than we do."

"It's time to get the materials off the ship and up that cliff," the leader said, "We only have a few weeks to get this completed before they discover us. Unless his jungle friends tip the Count off that we are here already."

The Captain got a very concerned look on his face, "You mean we might be descended upon by wild animals? Please sir, we only contracted to build something for you, but not defend against killer beasts."

The man gave the ship's captain a look of assurance, "Leave that part of the bargain to me. You can concentrate on your part."

The Captain saw the look but remained unconvinced, "Understood. Why the rush, sir? We've been in a hurry the entire journey. Ever since the Germans stopped us on the high seas for no reason at all you've been totally consumed with getting here."

The balding man rubbed his pate in worry but smiled, "Blast the darn Hessians! They no doubt caused me to miss the birth. And, my good sir, you'd be in a hurry too, if you wanted to give a present to your first grandchild and his parents."

"Aye, Professor Porter, I suppose I would be. None of my children are married yet."

…Three days later…

The area around the hidden decaying old treehouse was littered with lumber, saws, screwdrivers, hammers, other carpentry equipment, thousands of nails and screws, preservative veneers, paint and paint brushes, tents for the trusted crew and carpenters, and a dozen large unopened crates.

The original treehouse was getting a facelift by the Professor's hired construction crew, and across the open trail from the lone tree on the cliff in which the old treehouse was built, a brand new rope swing bridge extended into the treeline behind them. A new structure arose, hidden just as well as the original, built into the branches and cavities of one of the most massive trees of the jungle. Barely discernible was the unmistakable look of Tudor architecture in the growing construction.

D'Arnot himself would be impressed with how well the large structure blended into the foliage.

A familiar sound came from behind Archimedes – a male elephant's trumpet. He and his very pregnant mate Habika were very cautiously entering the area, hearing the commotion near the most private part of Tarzan and Jane's world. Upon seeing the Professor's smiling face, Tantor approached him. The professor shook Tantor's trunk enthusiastically, which always made Tantor feel very civilized, having seen several of the Englishmen who'd visited the jungle over the years shake hands in friendship and respect.

"Ah! My good fellow Tantor," the Professor said with great satisfaction in the elephant's language, "It is so good to see you again."

Tantor was pleasantly surprised, "Prof- -Professor! You're back. Jane and Tarzan will be very pleased. I need to tell them right away. But Professor, whatever are you doing here?"

Archimedes waved him off and warned, "Oh my, Tantor, you mustn't, dear boy. Right now it is a big surprise that I am back and what's happening here until it is done. Can you get word to the others that this all must remain a secret from Tarzan and Jane? And Kala can't know I am here at all. Not yet."

Tantor agreed and then called out into the trees above in parrot language, which was actually amusing to Archimedes to hear an elephant talk like a parrot, and a cute little bird appeared, somewhat jarred by the sight of the Professor, the construction, and the dozen or so civilized humans. She recognized Jane's father, but they couldn't communicate, a situation both wanted to correct, but she squawked happily at him in recognition, landed on his shoulder, and rubbed the side of his face. Archimedes snatched a grub from a hollow in the tree trunk and treated her. Standing all together, Tantor translated the Professor's explanation that this entirely new construction project was for Tarzan and Jane and their baby, as well as Kala, and it had to be a surprise until exactly the right moment.

Noni understood completely, and responded, "Tantor, tell the Professor that I will get the word to all the animals that this construction must be a surprise and that it can't be known yet to any of his closest family that Jane's father has returned."

Tantor emphasized, "It's very important, Noni, that Tarzan, Jane, and Kala not find out the Professor is here until he says so."

Noni nodded, "We will all honor his request. He is such nice human and good father to his only hatchling. Jane is very much the way as he is."

Tantor was a bit puzzled, "I have to admit that I don't understand what any of this is but he says it's for both of them and the baby. He says it has things inside that human babies like to play with."

If Noni could have smiled she would have, "It's a giant nest Tantor, don't you see? And all these humans are nest builders and friends of the Professor."

His eyes grew wide in realization, and held his trunk over his brow, Oh… Yeah! Of course it is. Thanks Noni.

The little bird flew off and she and her flock started to contact all of Tarzan's jungle friends secretly not to raise a chatter or attention to the small flurry of activity at their treehouse. The jungle was quietly abuzz with the return of the kindly old Professor, one of the few other humans the animals trusted. He was eccentric and always curious about every animal, but gentle and respectful of them, quite harmless, and always eager to learn and adapt. More importantly in the familial hierarchy of jungle life, he was the father of their beloved Jane, mate of Tarzan, and everyone knew that they must respect the human patriarch's request. Every animal wished that all civilized humans were like Archimedes, and they all honored the old man's wish for secrecy. Even animals had traditions of fun surprises for each other. They'd never seen a human do this, especially on such an enormous scale.

…Three weeks later…

The last of the crew had finished the refurbishment of the old treehouse and the new one as well. It took longer than they planned, because everything had been constructed with hand labor instead of machines. They minimized hammering and sawing on the land, doing much of it on the ship, and soundproofed much of the heavy construction, lest the echoes of human construction attract the keen ears of Tarzan. Fortunately Tarzan's keen ears were constantly exhausted in helping Jane with the care of their newborn, fending off predators that preyed on newborn offspring of animals. He rarely ventured far from the family nest, and it was also good fortune the gorilla troop had nested in the cooler highlands this time of year, so any noises coming from the far away coast were mostly muffled through the miles of forestation. The Professor was taking great pains to suppress knowledge of him and his crew's existence in the jungle, not only with the secrecy pact with the animals themselves, but also the sailing ship was hidden from any sight lines from any perch high above the jungle that Tarzan might take in his defense of the family. His training in the Royal Army regarding concealment and evasion paid off once again.

The Captain and the Professor exchanged goodbyes, with the elderly man praising them,"Captain this 'mansion in a tree' is truly magnificent. I am in your debt, sir. It is a grand structure hidden in plain view, and Count Clayton's father's original treehouse is repaired so well it will last decades more."

With the rope and plank bridge retracted and stowed between the two treehouses, only an expert would know either existed.

Captain Seward was very proud of his men's achievement, "It was a pleasure sir. And don't forget, Baron Porter, that you paid us all handsomely for this, although we'd do anything for the new Count. He and your family saved us all from dark lives of supporting the crimes of Cedric. We know it is meant to be a home away from home whenever the Count and Countess feel like needing a break from their deep jungle life, especially with children now, and England yet so many months away by sea. You are a wise father to provide this for them."

Archimedes nodded, "It is indeed a little piece of England on their new estate here in Africa. Perhaps it will not be so long a journey in the future with the invention of the aeroplane. And of course from now on we will be instantly in contact with England with the Wireless Marconi device. Are you sure it is operating and the generator and batteries are working?"

The Radio Operator Mate assured Archimedes, "The Wireless is in perfect working order, Professor. I sent a message late last night and Castle Greystoke received it immediately and responded."

"Are you sure it only works at night? That's a bit of a bother," sighed Archimedes.

"Yes sir, something about the effects of the daytime atmosphere and the sun, Professor," explained the Mate.

The Professor shook his head, overwhelmed by the science of the new radiotelegraph that was starting to revolutionize communications across the world, All this new technology is so hard to understand.

The Radio Operator reminded him, "But it will keep you and the Count and Countess connected with your peerages and the affairs of state."

"Yes it will, Sailor. And Count Clayton is so good with languages, that the Morse Code will be a cinch for him. I hear that someday this device may transmit voice over long distance. Won't that be an amazing scientific advancement?"

Captain Seward acknowledged that, but fretted, "Are you going to be all right, Professor? You'll be alone in the jungle for several days before the Count finds you. You may have a special link with the animals, sir, but we don't, and it's really hard to comprehend."

Archimedes was humble, "Well, I have many friends here, thanks to the Count. And I am not afraid to use this, though I hope never to do so, except to scare any animals that don't remember me."

He wielded the biggest elephant gun the Captain had ever seen. The two men shook hands, and the Professor was alone. He watched the sailing ship soon disappear over the horizon. He sat on the rocking chair on the porch of the new structure and hung the last of his civilized clothing in the closet in his room.

"Guess I won't need those for awhile. If I am to be Mangani again, I need to dress like them. That's what Tarzan and Jane want," he chuckled, knowing that dressing like the Mangani was not dressing at all. Kala and his children would be very pleased, plus he felt instant relief from the heat.

"Ahhhh. Much better. Animals are a lot smarter than people," he sighed in comfort.

The Professor waited for Tantor to stop by on his regularly scheduled visit, which he never forgot, and for the Professor to give the word that it was time. If only Terk would be able to follow the instructions from Tantor and manage to get Jane and Tarzan to leave the nest for awhile for a much needed 'date' on the beach as a couple. Tantor was under explicit orders not to let Kala in on the secret, but to make sure Terk persuaded her to the bring the baby here to the beach after Tarzan and Jane's 'date' to be part of a special surprise for all of them. Kala would not know that the surprise would be for her too. If the new parents were reluctant to leave to leave their child in Kala's expert maternal care, a series of well-placed air shots of the huge gun, whose sounds would echo throughout the jungle, and would definitely convince Tarzan and Jane to come here. Gunfire was how Tarzan discovered John Clayton, Jane, and Archimedes in the first place. Archimedes thought of that fateful day and how life had changed for Jane and him forever, and could not imagine not knowing his beloved son in law.

The Professor thought further of another fateful decision he made only three months before, with the tearful goodbyes to his servants. They all knew this trip to Africa was likely a one way journey for the elderly gentleman, given the months of preparation and legal administration that would leave his barony in Tarzan and Jane's hands should this be his last-ever journey. He had wrangled permission for another African expedition sponsored by the university, so his professorship continued indefinitely. The Provost had heartily agreed at Archimedes' attempt to recover some of the lost findings from the ill-fated original trip. But Archimedes knew that if he ever did get back to England, he'd protect the Mangani by saying he never found any further evidence of them.

His eyes narrowed, knowing a German gunboat had delayed his ship for a month off the coast of their colony in Togoland and nearly confiscated his cargo. He was very upset that he had no doubt missed Jane's baby's birth and the first month of life of his only grandchild. Grandfathers couldn't do much with newborns and new mothers and fathers, but he could have given them some welcome relief from the 24 hour care cycle. He was proud to be different than most of his elderly peers, who generally were happy with the concept of being a grandparent, but not interested in helping their daughters or sons with the care of their infants. Before he was gone completely from this world, he wanted the eyes of his first grandchild – and other future grandchildren - to light up every time they saw him. That would come only by actually caring for and playing with them.

Everything was exactly as the Professor had planned. Despite his humorous, somewhat bumbling manner, he still had a sharp and precise mind that left no detail uncovered.

He heard a familiar growl, and despite knowing she was now a friend, he was always respectful and cautious around the caracal.

"Greetings Naima," he said calmly, reaching out and scratching the enormous feline behind the ears as he did Jane's little house cats. The great caracal leaned into that touch and purred.

"Greetings Professor. It is good to see you have returned. Tarzan and Jane have both missed you. And Kala."

"I know. The affairs of civilized humans are long and tedious and were necessary before I could return," he explained.

Naima shook her head, "I never will understand such things and why they are more important than being with those you love. Are you aware of the good news? Tarzan and Jane have had their kit."

Archimedes stopped her, "Say no more now, Naima, please. I would like to know all the details from them."

"As you wish. It is their right as parents to tell you themselves. But Professor?"

"Yes, Naima?"

"You have a gun. Professor, that just doesn't seem like you."

"You know I'd never hurt any of you. It's just to scare."

Naima reminded him, "Some predators don't scare," glancing at the old treehouse that was the place of death for Tarzan's parents by the leopard, "As long as I am around, you are safe from any other. And I am around in ways only Tarzan can sense."

"I am grateful, kind Naima. Just so you are aware, I may fire it a few times to lure Tarzan and Jane here to see my 'gift' to them."

"I understand. Thank for telling me. Now that, Professor does sound like one of your clever ideas. If you need me just call my name."

Naima disappeared into the lush green foliage, but not before the Professor noticed that a playful litter of kits followed her. Her mate growled a respectful greeting to the Professor like any proud father. Archimedes could not help but smile, and nodded at the male caracal. For certain all of Tarzan and Jane's jungle friends – including them - were all involved in creating the next generation to succeed them. It was that time of life for the young adults of every species. He was grateful to be alive to witness the miracle of life happen anew, no matter what form it took.

Authors Notes: Yes I'm back to writing again, but because of continuing family obligations, I will only be writing, and even then on an irregular schedule. If you care to leave a review, please know it is very much appreciated, although I won't have time to reply back. I am unable to take PMs.

Drawing once from ERB Tarzan canon and Disney, I've modified the canon fact that Tarzan and Jane built a traditional mansion in East Africa, but since my continued adaptation of the Disney story of Burroughs' Tarzan and Jane continues the presumption that they live much more primitive lives with their gorilla family in the actual gorilla regions of Nigeria, and not in a dwelling when they are in Africa, I transformed their mansion into a bigger treehouse for the times they need a little 'getaway time'. So, why does a giant treehouse sounds familiar? How about Disney's movie "Swiss Family Robinson" that featured another civilized family living in giant tropical tree house?