Transition Plan Chapter 71: In His Majesty's Service Part 21

Tantor, Habika and Enyi arrived on the edge of the village, about as far they wanted to come into 'civilization'. They always attracted a crowd, because most African elephants, despite their size, were a rare sight and stayed far away from any of mankind's settlements. In most places in Nigeria and across Africa, they were hunted or worse, poached, for their ivory. The townspeople in the Nigerian Council village always treated the elephant family with respect as one of the Lord of the Jungle's oldest friends. Abassi offered the first sprig of tender grasses to the arriving family as the example for everyone in the village. It warmed both Tantor's and Tarzan's hearts.

Jeanne rushed to Tantor with Jack, over her mother's unheeded objections. The little girl remembered the elephant introduction from a few weeks ago and greeted all three, with Jack's coaching on pronouncing their names. She shook each elephant's trunk in her hand with a broad smile and a hearty shake.

Tantor spoke to Tarzan's son, "Impressive, Jack. Your mate remembered. We are honored."

Jack then spoke to his father's friend, "Uncle Tantor, she's just my girlfriend. I told you that before. I thought an elephant never forgets?"

"I don't, son of Tarzan," the huge elephant observed with a wink. Jack understood the inference.

Josephine couldn't believe the sounds that came from her daughter's mouth, and asked, "That's their language?"

Jeanne answered her proudly, "Yes mother. I just said 'hello'. But I don't know what they said back."

Jack interjected, "Tantor was very happy you remembered to how greet them."

She beamed a broad smile at all three elephants and they all raised their trunks in her honor.

With help from the Nigerians, they loaded what little belongings the Jacot's and Clayton's possessed carefully on Habika, being cognizant of her pregnancy, and prepared to ride on the other two elephants. The kids would ride on Enyi and the two women on Tantor.

Femi was there to say goodbye, and Jane greeted her long time friend, "Femi, I'm sorry we have to go so close to your time.

"It's OK. We have a dozen midwives here to help me, even though you are the best. I know you have to go, not that you want to go."

The two women hugged a long time, unimpeded by their pregnant bulges, and Femi seemed to glow as she said, "Good bye, Jane. We'll have something new and very tiny to talk about the next time."

Josephine admired the relationship that Jane had with Femi. She was a little sad that because of her itinerant military life with her husband, it prevented strong friendships with other women.

But to her pleasant surprise, Femi came up to Josephine, with her captivating smile, and took both of the French woman's hands in hers, "It was a great honor getting to know you, Josephine. You are a special woman. Few Europeans are as open as you to our lifestyle. I know it's been difficult adjusting when you never even expected to be here. Please come back. You do have family here. My family."

Femi's kind words of friendship touched Josephine's heart and she gave the African queen a sincere hug, saying, "Thank you, Femi, for opening your home and heart to all of us."

Left unsaid was the worry between all three women that there might not be a next time if the war engaged them. They parted company and the English and French women's attention turned to their departure.

Jane said, "We'll ride Tantor. Habika is pregnant again. Despite their size, elephant mothers must take care of themselves carefully like we do."

Josephine grinned, "Amazing, Jane. Is there any female creature in this jungle you know who is not pregnant?"

Jane gave her a wry grin and noted, "Well… all the females with newborns," which caused both to laugh and she concluded by saying, "But it does seem that way."

"Will it be all right to take her home?" Josephine asked.

Jane responded, "I rode her here, but it's too much for her to carry two women, so we are just asking her to carry our luggage."

Jeanne ran up fast to both women, completely out of breath, exclaimed to both them very happily, and waved her hands all over place, "I'm really going to ride an elephant today, and Jack is going to show me how!"

Josephine thought exactly the same thing but with much more trepidation than excitement.

It took a second for both women to realize that was a declaration from Jeanne, not a conversation. She immediately ran off and met up with Jack and Lily who were feeding their pachyderm friends. Both women had a great laugh over her excitement. Her mother noted, as Jeanne stood before them and then ran off, that her daughter had such a beautiful shape. She was really growing up. Around the elephants once again Jeanne was completely animated. When the eight year old was truly excited about something, she was in constant motion. It was very endearing. Most of her excitement was reserved for Jack, especially when she held Jack's hands, exchanged smiles, and shared affection with him.

Seeing the tension in Josephine about riding, Jane assured her, "It will be all right, Josephine. Tantor is the gentlest creature in the jungle."

"It's a good thing, because he sure seems like the most enormous thing in the jungle, Jane."

Despite her misgivings, Josephine was inspired by her witness to the two species laughing and playing together. And communicating. No one in France would believe her that this was happening even if she told them. Zoos kept humans and animals apart by bars. Yet right in front of her, the three kids were fearlessly playing around the elephants, running and jumping and hopping around as they were being tickled by the elephants' snouts. The kids in turn were swinging from the elephant's tusks and snouts, giving the animals treats, and petting and hugging them. Jack and Lily were talking to the elephants, with Jack translating and teaching Jeanne every elephantine word she could absorb. There were a lot of happy-sounding noises from the elephant family who were laughing and giggling and shouting in their own way with the children.

Suddenly there were a couple of ear-splitting shrieks by Jeanne after receiving an especially personal tickle. But she realized it was a surprise tickle attack by Jack. He looked too proudly and smugly at her.

Jeanne enjoyed the sneak attack, but was not about to admit it, so she yelled, "Hey no fair! I will get you for that jungle boy. You'll just never know when."

"Tough talk from a French city girl," Jack taunted, grabbing Tantor's tusk, flipping himself up and over and stood on the bottom curve of the ivory, "May I help you up?"

Jeanne stood on the ground with a crooked smile and a cocked eyebrow, with her hands on her deep olive hips, contemplating accepting the help or hurling another snarky insult to her fully-tanned, overconfident boyfriend standing nonchalantly on Enyi's tusk.

Both women laughed at the two kids' verbal sparring and Jane noted ironically, "Aren't they really sweet together?"

The mothers knew that keeping this pair active and playing hard together meant less time kissing and hugging and the many parental worries of growing up too fast.

Jeanne opted for the help to ride Enyi and smiled, taking Jack off guard as usual, "Well… since you asked me nicely, jungle boy, I'll take the help up."

She reached out her hand. He grabbed her and pulled her up and soon they were both on the tusks, with arms around each other mostly for affection but made it look like she needed a little help balancing, and Jeanne played right along with it, "Oh! Thank you Jack, I almost fell."

Jane's rolled her eyes a bit with a smirk, knowing what her clever son was up to with equally clever Jeanne, but Josephine held her breath about being on the elephant's tusks, even though she knew it was perfectly safe and the elephant and Jack were close friends.

Enyi proceeded to help them climb on his back and head. Lily reached out to the young elephant with her cute little smile, asked for help getting up in his speech, and got an elevator lift from the ground all the way up to the top of his head. She was delicate, and he was very gentle with her. She couldn't stop giggling, and she gave him a huge hug when she was on top, then sat down behind Jeanne.

Jeanne was equally happy atop the elephant, "Look Mama! I'm way up here! And ready to go."

The scene of Jack, Jeanne holding on to her boyfriend from behind, and little Lily holding to Jeanne, all sitting in a line naturally on Enyi's back, all with their long hair hanging and flowing in the gentle breeze was not only pleasant to their mothers but resembled something nearly prehistoric to Josephine.

All three children were ready for the next adventure, and Jack shouted impatiently, "C'mon Mom and Madame Jacot, let's go. I want to show Jeanne our home."

"Jane?" inquired Josephine, before they started walking.

"Yes Josephine?"

Josephine described her oddly pleasant 'out of place and time' experience, "I just have to say this. I've had many issues adjusting and accepting all this, but Jane… this is really is… truly… incredible. In a million years you couldn't have convinced me that right here on the coast of Nigeria in a primitive village on the first day of July 1914 that I would literally be naked, barefoot, and pregnant – and like it - watching my only child befriend and play with an English Viscount who's really a wild jungle boy and three wild elephants like they were always her friends, and be headed into the deepest, most primitive part of the jungle intentionally where only animals roam. Who would ever believe that?"

Jane laughed, knowing Josephine's comments were well-meaning but simply overwhelming, "Well it does seem completely crazy. But it's a good life, Josephine. And you have to admit, it will be a really good story for your grandchildren."

The women laughed, and exchanged supportive hugs, as they strolled over to ride Tantor. Jane talked to the elephant patriarch a moment. That ability, that her very own daughter had demonstrated, was truly impressive. She wondered how many other animals the Countess could talk with.

Jane kidded her friend, "Besides, Josephine, I've spent a great deal of my married life naked and barefoot and pregnant, and Tarzan much prefers it that way… and so do I, frankly."

Josephine admitted with a grin, "It appears Armand likes me that way too, Jane. I very much think he would have preferred me doing this sooner."

They both chuckled, and stood side by side next to Tantor. Jane said with an arm on the Colonel's wife's shoulder, "Josephine, it is by providence you are all here."

She blushed. Standing side by side the women could see the very noticeable difference in their bellies.

"Jane, forgive me, but you're really much larger than me for only being a month ahead of me."

"Maybe because I'm having my third child? Having kids really stretches us out."

"Don't I know that!" declared Josephine in amusement.

And odd movement in Jane's womb caught her eye, "Wait! What was that?"

"I saw it too, Jane."

"That was four little feet," Jane said in absolute disbelief.

It happened again. Jane gasped in happiness and shock, and clutched her womb.

Josephine exclaimed happily, "Mon Dieu, Jane, you're having twins!"

Then the two women jumped up and down and laughed hysterically. All that jumping really got the twins stirred up. It looked like the two babies were working together to push their way out of Jane's now-crowded and very bouncy womb.

Jack was very curious, "What's going on Mom?"

"Tell you later, Jack. Just 'pregnant mother' stuff," she responded, and was still astonished almost beyond words herself.

"Twins! It's a miracle," She thought happily.

She simply couldn't believe it. She knew there was some history of twins on her dad's side of the family. But she never thought it would happen to her, and couldn't wait tell Tarzan until his return. If he returned. Now he had to return.

The two women were beside Tantor, and he reached out his snout gently and shook Josephine's hand gently, despite her worry. He said something to the French woman.

Jane translated, "He's pleased to meet the mother of Jeanne."

Josephine was gracious, "I feel the same. Tell Tantor I appreciate how gentle he is with her."

Jane made a number of new noises, grunts, whistles, and something indescribable. Tantor nodded his head, and reaching down, he offered Josephine a trunk ride to his head and neck. She was still a little apprehensive to go.

"It's all right Josephine. He knows you're pregnant. To him you smell like Habika. Animals know."

She placed herself in the crook Tantor made in his trunk for a foothold, and held on to the upper part to steady herself. She felt the lift to his head. Jane was next. Once Jane was seated astride Tantor, the French woman reached around underneath Jane's large bosom just above her baby bump - the only safe place to grab - and held on as she was told.

Jane ordered in elephantine speech, "OK, Tantor. I think we're all ready now. Let's go."

Tantor announced loudly in his tongue, "Tarzan and Jane's treehouse – next stop!"

Josephine was silent frequently on the way, simply taking in all the sights and sounds, although Jane would point out special views or places along the way. Among friends who really knew the jungle, it was less terror-filled. She watched the children ahead of them and enjoyed their chatter, how Jeanne engaged Lily like a big sister, and could not miss the toddler's adoring eyes and charming laughter for the older girl and her brother. On a pretty frequent basis, Jack and Jeanne would kiss lightly. She'd put her arms around Jack tighter and would often squeeze him in pure contentment, especially when she put her head between his shoulder blades and closed her eyes. Although Jack was guiding the elephant, he would reach around behind him and put his hand affectionately on Jeanne's back in acknowledgement.

That prompted Josephine to sigh and ask an overdue question, "Do you see them up there?"

Jane smiled, "Of course Josephine. They are hard to miss."

Josephine asked tentatively, "What do you think about their friendship, Jane? Just friends? Puppy love or infatuation? Or… umm…"

"'The real thing'? You and I know both know it's much deeper than just friends, Josephine. Even they admitted that. She never takes off his promise bracelet. And while kids sometimes will surprise you, it looks to me they have something that is going to last. I think they would be just as devoted to each other even if they were separated by a continent. Even just as kids."

Josephine reflected, "I should know, Jane. With them, I'm seeing my life all over again with Armand, only it's Jeanne with your Jack this time. But I worry about what's ahead so much."

Jane was surprised at that comment, "How is that, Josephine? If they continue their relationship like this, they will have a wonderful future as we guide them. Our parenting is not so different."

The French woman swallowed hard and asked, "Jane… may I speak freely?

"Of course."

Josephine explained, "My concern is that Armand, Jeanne, and I are only common Frenchmen. We are a military family - which is about as poor as anyone in France can be. We move constantly and live in homes that belong to the government. We have no roots of peerage. Our family has nothing to offer yours, Jane."

Jane chuckled and scoffed, "You are so wrong about that, Josephine. Just look at them. That's love blooming there ahead of us, even if you can't call it true love right now. That's complete happiness I see between best friends who treat each other as equals, especially when they argue and tease each other. Peerage and financial status have absolutely nothing to do with love, Josephine. I want only for my son to be happy. Jeanne makes him the happiest boy I have ever seen. It is a very rough life living in two worlds."

"As does your Jack make my Jeanne happy, Jane. But class and status does matter, Jane, so much for your society. English literature and history are filled with stories of unrequited love between men and women separated by the impassable barriers between classes. All the precepts of the French Republic – Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite - are not shared by members of English peerage. No offense."

Jane answered, "None taken. It may be for most English gentry, but not for us. Yes, I am the daughter of an English Baron. I know I was destined to be someone's arranged spouse. Truth be told, Josephine, I came to Africa not just to study the gorillas as a scientist. I also came with Daddy to escape being a spouse for a little while longer, and keep Daddy focused on the science and the adventure of studying the gorillas. I knew when I went home, it was to a life of arrangements and commitments and keeping a 'stiff upper lip' and all that."

"It sounds dreadful," Josephine observed.

Jane smirked, "It would have been. You should have seen the old guy trying to woo me."

They chuckled.

Jane got a noticeably dreamy look in her eyes, "When I fell in love with Jonathan as Tarzan the Ape Man, I had no idea of his peerage at the time. He was barely more than an animal at our first encounter, a truly wild man of the jungle, with absolutely not a tuppence to his name. But he wanted to become a real man, had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and like a giddy schoolgirl I wanted to teach him everything. He was always kind to me. And very protective. That was worth more than any peerage's fortune to me. Daddy saw it first, and told me to follow my heart, not the rules, just as we were going to leave Africa forever. And it was Daddy who knew he couldn't just give me away to some rich, old Englishman because Tarzan touched his heart too, like that handsome man does with every person or creature on this earth. Despite our vast differences, we fell for each other. We were simply lovers. Class and possessions were not a barrier. Just like Jeanne being a commoner doesn't make any difference now to me and Tarzan, Josephine. And it especially makes no difference to Jack."

The women turned around and smiled at each other, and Josephine put a hand on Jane's bare shoulder, "I… I think I understand, Jane. Thank you."

Jane shrugged, "So let's just let enjoy our children's special friendship grow and see what happens. As we enjoy our friendship, Josephine. I am actually glad that you were forced to come with the Colonel, though I am very sorry you lost your home. You and I would have never met – not just our children."

"You are very kind and understanding, Jane," Josephine responded.

…

They arrived at the treehouse before dusk. They had been on an inclined trail cut into the sheer sea side cliffs for some time. It flattened out at the top and the land spread out from the end of the trail. She could see something that almost resembled graves not far from them, and one giant tree hung precipitously out over the cliffs.

Jane sighed happily, "Well, we're here!"

All the children were asleep on Enyi's back. Lily was slumbering in her brother's arms or she would have bolted to the house. The overlook to the pristine beach was breathtaking, but Josephine was worried. Jane promised some kind of dwelling. Even a standard Nigerian thatched hut would have been satisfactory. She saw absolutely nothing but dense woods and vines, and a lot of animal noises coming out of that vast tangle of darkness. She shuddered.

Josephine said uncertainly, "Uhm. OK, Jane. I guess we build one of those nests you've been talking about."

Jane knew she was going to have a little fun with her friend on this, "No Josephine. We sleep in real beds tonight."

"Where? I see nothing."

Jane said simply, "Look harder, my friend."

The French woman squinted her eyes and peered intently into the edge of the forest, but soon those eyes flew fully open. Her jaw dropped and she saw the shadowy outline of the house in the branches.

Josephine was incredulous, "It's… it's a house… In a tree."

"Which is why they call it a 'treehouse', Mama," grinned Jeanne who had just awakened with Jack due to the stop, both sliding effortlessly down Enyi's back, flanks, and leg to the lush green grass, with Jack politely assisting her all the way. Jack had the still-sleeping Lily completely cradled in his arms. Her mother took her and she yawned and shifted, starting to wake up.

"This… this is your jungle home, Jane?" Josephine noted, following the line of the catwalk across the clearing to the older home in the tree over the cliff. It was not just a home. It was a mansion.

Jane noted, "I will give you all a tour tomorrow. Let's all just get a good sleep tonight."

No one argued with that.

Hearing and feeling her very empty stomach rumble, as well as the others, Jane invited, "Is anyone hungry?

The kids all chimed a 'yes!' and Josephine joked, "Well… as long as we don't have to hunt and kill dinner, yes."

They laughed but Jane explained, "No need for that. Here we do have all the conveniences of a real home. When we get inside, how about I heat up a bowl of old fashioned English stew for everyone? In a can though. Sorry…"

"Umm, Jane you sure know how to make friends. Stew is one of our favorites as a family," Josephine noted in appreciation. Jeanne heartily agreed.

"OK, Jack. Get us all inside. You'll have to unlock the place. Your poor pregnant mother just can't do what Dad does."

Jeanne watched every move of her boyfriend, seeing him effortlessly climb and leap, and move in the branches, dropping ladders and catwalks and opening trapdoors and hoists.

"Just like that 'monkey' that bothered me mercilessly when we first met," she reflected pleasantly.

While he did that, their remaining belongings were removed from the elephants, and Jane let the elephant family go on their way to nest and rest. Jane directed them to a lush growth of plants in their garden as a well-deserved 'thank you'.

Once inside the front door, Jane lit an oil lamp, they just left their luggage in the miniature lobby, and headed to the kitchen. Instantly, the light shown on a well-stocked kitchen with a real table and chairs. It was like they were transported back to England. She lit a number of other candles.

It made Josephine very comfortable, as she sat on real chairs at a real table, the shape of the wooden chair fitting comfortably against her bare bottom, "Goodness, Jane, this is wonderful. You wouldn't even know we were in the middle of the jungle."

Jane noted, "Well that's the point of this place – a home away from home when we all need a little 'human' touch or comfort. Or to entertain guests who don't want to 'rough it'. It happens more often than you think."

Jeanne and Jack were hand-in-hand examining some of the lower level rooms with a lamp. The extent of the treehouse and the corridors beyond to the rest of the building were bigger than any house she had ever lived in. And this was just their treehouse.

"This is all yours? I can't imagine what your Castle looks like," for a moment Jeanne was overwhelmed at the wealth represented by this carefully crafted home. She suddenly felt very inadequate to be thrust into realizing the true nature of Jack's peerage. All she had known thus far of the Clayton's was that they all lived naturally with the animals and natives and with no noticeable possessions. It was a huge cultural shock.

He saw her growing anxiety, grabbed her by the shoulders, and feared the worst, having experienced so many girls responding negatively to him and his lifestyle, only this time in reverse, "Never mind all this. It's all stuff. All that matters is just you and me. And this," showing Jeanne her own friendship bracelet, "Please understand."

She shook her head up and down tentatively at first, and then with more surety as the loving look from his eyes bored into hers quickly quelled her worries. Her fear faded. She closed her eyes and kissed him with emphasis as she reassured him, "Yes, Jack. Of course. We are promised. I… I'm sorry… It's just so much so fast."

"I'm still the same Jack no matter what."

"And just as cute!" she thought cheerfully.

They hugged and kissed again and he felt her heart rate subside.

"All right, Jack. It's all right now. I'm OK."

And then her humor returned, as she broke her embrace with him on purpose, with an overly dramatic curtsy, "Or should I say, 'I'm OK now, Viscount Jonathon Robert Clatyon IV'?"

They both laughed, "If you do that, then you open yourself up to another tickle attack."

"You just try that again and see what happens, jungle boy."

They trotted hand in hand smiling back into the kitchen where the aroma of simmering stew wafted.

"Mom, we are dying of hunger here."

"Hold your horses, young man. Give me a minute. And remember to serve Madame Jacot and Jeanne first. In this house your human manners are in full gear. They are house guests."

"Yes, Mother," Jack replied and Jeanne giggled.

The self-contained gas stove she was cooking on was her father's invention for the expanded treehouse. They all helped set and arrange the table with real plates and bowls and utensils, gathered around, offered a prayer as always with a meal, and had a good dinner together.

Jack burped at the end, forgetting his manners, "That was really good, Mom."

"Thank you. Well, I will take that outburst as a satisfied diner," and everyone snickered. Josephine and Jeanne also expressed their gratitude for a normal meal in a very not so normal place.

Just as soon as they were done, Lily yawned and stretched, "I'm sleepy, Mommy."

Jane was startled, "Oh my. Yes. Rooms. Hmm… You can have our bedroom, Josephine. There is only me right now."

"No Jane. That is you and your husband's room. A guest room if you have one will be fine."

"You can take Jack's room. We can put the three kids in a room together."

"Wise?"

Jane shrugged, "They already slept together publicly on adjacent mats in the longhouse, and they did just fine. If we separate them, you don't think they'll find each other? Better to let them sleep near to each other with rules than keep them apart with the temptation."

"Good point."

They showed the kids Lily's room with an extra bed and moved in the mattress. Lily happily jumped on her bed and then crawled into it.

The women faced the older children, and Jane said earnestly, "OK kids, here are the rules for sleeping. We are going to trust you all to be in the same room. But remember. This is not the longhouse. This is our house."

Jack and Jeanne smiled that they could be close and eagerly listened to what must be done.

She further explained, "Jeanne gets the big bed. Lily keeps hers. Jack - you get the mattress and cot.

Josephine warned, "If you two wake up in the same bed together, we ground you both for life. And the doors always stay open."

"Yes ma'am," came a chorus of agreement from the young lovers.

Jane added, "You can wake each other up, and say goodnight. Simple kisses. And we supervise. If you can't live with that, we put Jack in the old house."

Josephine finalized the arrangements, "Understood, children?"

They both looked at each other, smiled, took each others hands, and knew they could keep the rules. Their mothers were very kind and understanding of their budding relationship. Both of them in the same room was wonderful, and unexpected. They would not disobey. This was as good as being on adjacent mats.

"Yes ma'am!" came the joint promise.

Josephine and Jane assisted on the first night, and watched how they said goodnight. Josephine pulled the covers up to her daughter's chin and she smiled at her mother. Her tired body felt good in the sheets. Jack came up to the bed, kissed her with a little hug, and he almost floated over to his mattress.

The mothers left, leaving the bedroom doors open. The children talked a little.

Jeanne sighed, with a different reaction to his treehouse this time, "This is really nice Jack. I love your treehouse."

He grinned, "We don't rough it all the time with the Mangani. We are human too. Welcome Jeanne."

Outside the room, the women checked on the pair, and Josephine noted to her satisfaction, "This is going to work. They are near each other like they want and separate like we want.

Back in the bedroom, Jeanne asked, excited but tired about what happened next, "So what are we doing to do tomorrow, Jack?"

"Let's talk about it tomorrow."

"That would be fine jungle boy. But getting you back for that sneak attack is high on my list…"

Jack and Jeanne shared a tired laugh and fell slept nearly immediately. They didn't realize just how tired they really were. The women checked them a little later and heard the three children sleeping.

"These are good kids."

"So they never make a mistake, we just have to be firm and diligent. Just like Armand's and my parents were with us."

"I agree. You had the most experience in this. Boyfriend/girlfriend stuff at a young age is completely unknown to me, even though I had a crush on my American second cousin at 10."

"Oh? Really? Do tell, Jane!"

"It's a long story... for when the kids are out playing."

"That's a deal."

"Now for us. The two kids outside of me and the two inside have completely worn me out today. Goodnight Josephine."

"Goodnight Jane."

The lights went out in the treehouse, but a million nocturnal jungle eyes were content that the Jungle Lord's family had returned, and it smelled and felt like the new outlanders would soon be 'of the jungle'.

The 'future' mate of Korak already was.

…

Authors Note: So, then doglover500. My Christmas present to you is that you get your wish. Jane discovers she's having twins. And to guest reviewer Megan Lyle. Thank you for your kind comments and encouragement.