Transition Plan Chapter 114 - Searching for Jeanne 32
Rated T for one sexual encounter
Jack and Jeanne were only a kilometer from the treehouse and they were still undetected by the family because of their own jungle-honed stealth, plus a lot of persuasion and a lot of food bribes to all of his jungle friends. Most of their animal friends wanted to play along with Jack in surprising the Lord of the Jungle and his mate, and, for those who remembered the events of nine years before, they were very happy to meet Korak's mate Jeanne all grown up. She was so excited to get reacquainted with or meet new friends as they went. The jungle of Nigeria and the Land of the Mangani felt like home again because for nearly six fun and awe-inspiring months as a girl it was, even though it started out as a nightmare, until she entered Jack's life. They had just bathed together to be fresh and clean for their reunion. They had been pretty dirty, grimy, and smelly because of their focus on getting home those last few hundred klicks.
The treehouse's broad expanse could be seen very dimly, well-camouflaged in the trees. Jack stood behind his wife, both balanced on a huge branch. They were both beautifully tanned from head to toe. With her darker complexion, she had tanned much deeper than him, in direct contrast to his parents where Tarzan was the darker mate. She was an amazing chocolate brown all over with a hint of her olive. Their bodies were in absolutely perfect physical shape. They made a truly striking couple. Because of her year in the deep jungle with Jack, no animal could ever question that she was 'of the jungle', and she already knew nine animal languages well.
He squeezed her taut and shapely bare waist in a hug and then rested his hands where her waist flared to her very broad hips. She commented as she readjusted her hair, "Oww! Wait a minute, Jack, you pulled my hair caught under your arm again."
They were both delighted that her long straight black hair had reached her waist again after more than nine years. She had no desire to cut it any time soon, despite the popularity of the "Roaring 20s" flapper short hairdo's for young women.
But as happy was Jeanne was about being home, she looked a little nervous. Jack noticed.
He asked in English, because they agreed that is how they would greet the family to show off her English skills, "Are you OK?"
"I'm a little worried about still saying or doing something awful around our families. Or having some kind of relapse. And Jack, I'm so hairy..."
"You've been fine for months, sweetheart. You know I love you that way. And they are going to be so happy you're home safely that no one is going to worry about that one little bit, dear."
She was still a little uncertain, "I guess. And besides that, you know I still get a little weepy at times."
"And I say again: do you think our parents aren't going to understand or would judge you for that?"
"I know Jack. You've been so good to me for so long I just don't want to blow it at the most important time for us. You're used to me. They aren't. All they know is a 9 year old 'me'."
"You'll do just fine, dear. Would it feel better for you to wear your tunic?"
She soothed his face and sweetly smiled, "Sweetheart, I am 100% Mangani. Just like I was with your family years ago. Every day in the jungle then and now convinced me how right this is for my life. I've been in front of so many people I've hated being exposed to. I never ever wanted to be seen by anyone but you and our family and friends. Your family is right over there. I love them. I love mine. I want to live naturally with you and them. I could never be uncomfortable around any of our families. Even our new family members."
Jack gave her a strong look of support, "'Just thinking about your feelings in this, cherie."
She gave him a tender smile and a peck, "I know you always do. And that, sweetheart, is one of many reasons why you are so special to me. And why I'm pretty much 'me' again."
He smiled back, "So then. Are you ready, sweet wife?"
"More than ready, dear husband. I've been ready to be back here for nine years," Jeanne sighed with the weight of all the years finally removed from her shoulders.
The young couple held tightly to each other, then Jack grabbed a vine, and they swung quickly the final klick, alighting on the kitchen balcony level of the treehouse unseen and in total silence. Jack had come and gone from that balcony many times as a boy. He was now a man.
This homecoming was even more special because that man had his wife in his arms. Jeanne and Jack enjoyed the utterly shocked looks on his family's faces with their sudden appearance.
Jack announced their presence with a casual, "Hi Mom and Dad! Look who followed me home. Can I keep her?"
Tarzan and Jane and the kids were unable to speak.
Playing along with Jack, Jeanne added with a lilt in her sweet-sounding, heavily-French-accented English voice, "I don't eat very much, Count and Countess Clayton, and I clean up my own messes."
Jack had a mild snicker at her cute humor.
Clan Clayton was absolutely open-mouthed in shock at their surprise arrival. Jack let Jeanne down easily from his arms and the pair stood together arm in arm facing the family, completely natural, except for their weapons, packs, rings and bracelet, and Jeanne's glasses. Her waist long hair wafted slightly in the light breeze across the balcony.
Jane, dropped a bark plate, clutched her bosom and gasped. Lily spewed her fruit. The twins dropped a big bowl of grubs they were passing to their father for the main course. Tarzan nearly choked on a mouthful of ants he was chewing, speechless at first about their completely stealthy return, and second over the staggering exotic beauty of their daughter-in-law and the maturity of their grown-up son.
There was also the visual shock of Jack's heavy, full auburn beard, even though they'd seen the newspaper photo.
Jane finally reacted, rushed to the couple, gathered them in her arms as best she could, and squeezed them mightily, and with heavy emotion she emphasized, "Yes, Jack, oh yes you can keep Jeanne! We're so happy you're here safely!"
Jane hugged them both like she'd never let them go again and the whole family joined in the group hug. Everyone was talking and laughing and crying at once. Jeanne was joyously happy at their reception, and was especially pleased to see very grown-up Lily.
Jeanne was amused that she hadn't seen this many attractive naked human bodies since her chorus line at the burlesque hall.
Jane couldn't believe how amazingly toned and healthy Jack and Jeanne looked, and examined them both for injuries like mothers always do after long periods apart from their children.
"Jack, I really like your beard, dear," Jane exclaimed, not letting go of either of them, and she definitely noticed all his other thick body hair, a lot of which had grown in during the two years he was gone, "Son, You are definitely a Porter."
"Well, Mom, we can't all be as handsome as Dad," he joked.
Jane beheld her daughter-in-law, and the women hugged without hesitation. It was a big challenge for Jane and Jeanne to fit all their womanly curves together in their first-time hug since Jeanne's childhood, but it all worked out and it made them laugh.
Jane could barely choke her words out, "Jeanne, dearest Jeanne, welcome home."
"For nine years I never stopped dreaming of being here again, Countess Clayton," Jeanne answered.
In their long trek home, Jeanne had gained muscle and lost some late teen body fat, but her feminine curves and her bosom were truly spectacular. Jane thought all her soft black body hair wonderfully complemented her waist length hair and accented her beautiful shape.
Jane held Jeanne gave a very affectionate and warm expression for her daughter-in-law, "Well, just look at you, Jeanne. All grown up. You're just simply beautiful."
"She is the prettiest animal in the jungle," Jack asserted proudly in admiration of his bride of more than six months, watching his mother and wife interact.
Tarzan and Jane smiled, knowing that was Tarzan's line when they were newlyweds too.
"She really, truly is, Jack," Lily agreed, still stunned at her big sister's looks, but also noticed that Jack was much more handsome too. He was a bigger man than their father in every dimension. These two attractive people deserved each other.
The twins thought Jeanne was a vision. Their big sister and mother were beautiful, but were nothing like Jeanne. She was almost as dark as Okpara and his family.
"Thank you Countess Clayton for your kind words. Staying pretty in the jungle for my Jack was really hard."
Jack interjected, "Jeanne, cherie, you could be in the jungle another year and do nothing to yourself and still be pretty."
She blushed pretty hard, but no one disagreed.
Jane stroked and cupped her daughter-in-law's cheek. Jeanne leaned into the fond touch and closed her eyes. She welcomed it as much as her real mother's touch. Margrite never caressed her like that.
Jane praised Jeanne, "You did so well, daughter, for being in the wild a whole year. But, please, dear. Never call me 'Countess' again. 'Mom Clayton' or 'Mom C' or 'Mother' or 'Mom'. Please, honey. You are family now."
Jeanne was very happy to try out that offer, "That's so sweet of you, Mom."
That sounded very good to both of them and to Jack, and the women smiled at each other.
"Speaking of beautiful… Oh… my… your rings are amazing! Where did you get them Jack? Dar es Salaam?"
"No, Mom. Our Castle catacombs, before I left. They were put there for us. It's a good story."
Lily had been waiting patiently for another hug just by herself with Jeanne while her parents greeted the pair, and finally got the chance she wanted for so long. They savored the sisterly hug with their adult bodies, and kidded about it, "Jeanne! Hey big sister. Long time no see."
Jeanne played along with a shrug, "Eh? What's nine years among sisters, Lily, dear?"
Both giggled. Jack was most amused by that. As a little girl, Lily worshiped Jeanne that special summer.
Then they held hands, "Oh Lily you are so lovely. You're a woman now and prettier than ever."
Seeing his wife standing face to face with his oldest sister holding hands affectionately, Jack was stunned at the extent of the maturity of Lily in his two year absence. Jeanne was right. Lily was as much a young woman as Jeanne. Lily knew Jack and Jeanne appreciated all her new curves but complimented her mother for her good looks, "I have Mother to thank for all of this, Jack! She says I look like she did at 15 except that I'm brown everywhere instead of auburn."
Jane blushed, but was secretly proud of her gorgeous daughter. It had been a long time since she had the perfect looks of Lily.
Jack agreed, "Wow sis. Not only am I married to the prettiest woman in the jungle I'm brother and son to the second prettiest women!"
That really made Jane and Lily blush.
Lily opened her arms and welcomed Jack too, "You are even more handsome, 'big bruver'. Obviously, Jeanne has been taking very good care of you. Come here, you big furry ape bro'!"
Lily beamed with all the praise about her looks from Jack and Jeanne and then squeezed her brother tightly. It took a moment for Jack to get used to hugging her much more mature body than two years ago. She was so soft everywhere and it was like hugging Jeanne. She was not quite as developed as Jeanne, and not likely to given family genes. Lily enjoyed hugging Jack, too. He had gotten quite furry and even more masculine since their sensitive brother/sister snuggle before the fireplace in the castle the day he left to rescue Jeanne.
Still hugging him, she joked, "Good job big brother. You're gone two years and you still have all your fingers and toes. And teeth."
They chuckled.
The twins waited anxiously and a little awkwardly. They had never met Jeanne and it had been two years since they last saw Jack - a long time for small children.
Lily released Jack and he turned his attention to the youngest members of their big family, "Nizzie! Paulie! You guys have grown a foot since I left."
They hugged him cheerfully, but they corrected him.
"You look great, big brother. I like your beard," Paulie said.
"But things have changed since you left," Nizzie noted.
"Oh?"
"Well… we're all grown up too."
Ten years old was hardly grown up, but when he was nine he felt the same way. Even they now were only a little older than Jack when Jeanne had been kidnapped, a thought both Jack and Jeanne had considered. He played along with them, "So, tell me how."
His younger brother stood proudly and announced, "Well, now my name is Paul, Jack."
His little sister added, "And I'm Elisabeth, dear brother."
Jack milked this moment for all that it was worth, bowing formally, "Oh dear. I'm so sorry. I am pleased to make your acquaintance Paul and Elisabeth."
The incongruous sight of the naked Viscount in a formal bow amused Jeanne and she giggled. She stood by waiting patiently for her introduction to Jack's two siblings she had never met. She couldn't wait to meet her little sister Michelle whom she knew was their same age.
Then the twins grinned and laughed and both hugged their big brother. This had been all carefully plotted out to tease Jack.
Nizzie snickered, "Whatever you want to call us is just fine with us, Jack. We're just glad you're home!"
"Well we'll just see. You're both so grown up those grown up names fit you now. But first, I'd like you to meet your new sister-in-law: Jeanne."
Jeanne smiled broadly and kindly said, "Jack has told me so much about you guys."
She crouched down to their eye level, took each other's hand, and her smile completely drew them in. Whatever awkwardness there was in meeting a stranger - who was now instantly their oldest sister - melted when they all hugged.
Jack thought all the introductions were made so he said, "Well that's it, Jeanne… I guess we should…"
Jane couldn't wait for this moment, nor could the rest of the family. What came next was another shock. A good shock. A baby's cry. Not a newborn's wail, but still a very young child.
Jane was highly amused with the surprise on Jack and Jeanne's faces. She stated nonchalantly, "Well kids. Somebody's hungry. I'll go get him."
Jack had wondered why his mother's bosom was so big and full again.
Jeanne looked at Jack in pleasant surprise, and caressed his arm. She was joining an enormous close-knit family.
In a few minutes, Jane came back down the stair to the kitchen from the bedrooms upstairs and presented the new addition, "Jack and Jeanne. This is your new little brother, Andrew Archimedes Clayton."
That was a really big name for such a little boy.
Jane held Andrew against her hip in the crook of an arm, and a sleepy little one-year-old looked warily at these new strangers. Andrew was a little shy but was squirmy. He wanted to be put down, and he got in a crawling position, seemingly ready for action. He made some really cute growling noises at Jack and Jeanne, trying to be an ape.
Seeing the all fours position that the one year old naturally assumed, Jack laughed, "My baby brother is a natural Mangani!"
They all laughed.
Jack literally laid flat on floor to be eye level with his baby brother and quietly said, "Hi Andrew! I'm Jack. Say hello to your oldest brother and new sister-in-law."
Jeanne joined him prone to the floor, which made an amusing sight for the family, "And I'm Jeanne."
Having two 'big people' faces smiling at him from his level on the floor was very entertaining to Andrew and he smiled and laughed.
"Jck! Jee!" he attempted to say.
At a little past one year old, he could barely say a few cute words. Jack ruffled his brother's thick auburn hair, "Close enough, little brother."
Jack picked up Andrew, stood, and held him like his mom did. Jack was very used to holding his younger siblings. Jeanne stood with Jack, leaned over, and kissed the little boy on the cheek. He smiled and rubbed her kiss in. They connected. Jeanne was very happy seeing Jack so easily handle children. She reached for Andrew and the baby wanted out of Jack's arms and took right to her. She kissed Andrew's pudgy little cheek again.
She cooed at Andrews, "Well, hello little guy. I wasn't expecting such a handsome new brother-in-law."
As he settled into the space she made against her bosom for him, Andrew looked at her wondering if he could get milk from her breasts, but she didn't smell like his mother.
Jeanne made a fuss over her new baby brother-in-law, impressing everyone with her maternal instincts. Jack was genuinely surprised about Andrew, "Mom, I had no idea."
Jane blushed a little, but as always, was very candid about family situations, "Well honestly, dear, we were all a little surprised about this little guy ourselves. Your father and I were trying, but it seemed like he didn't want to be born. Just like having you, Jack, when your father and I relaxed, we got pregnant. It seems God wasn't quite done with me bringing Clayton babies into this world."
"I'm glad you didn't stop, Mom and Dad. I love our big family being bigger."
So did Jeanne. She could learn about taking care of babies from an expert mother before having one of their own.
Andrew decided he was done playing with the pretty new girl, reached back for Jane and she nursed him immediately. After a long nap, Andrew knew what he wanted and nursed Jane ravenously. Jane liked nursing her babies a long time. Jeanne smiled at the tender sight, then winked at Jack, and squeezed his hand.
"Your new baby brother is cute, Jack," Jeanne complimented, and her tone was exactly of a young woman who wouldn't mind being a mother herself.
Jack blushed but was pleased to think of those times ahead. Tarzan and Jane didn't miss that moment between them. Jeanne reached out and soothed the baby's very furry head while he nursed.
"He's so handsome, Mom C, does he favor the Porter side? He's auburn."
"Thanks dear. Yes, but he's very tall for his age like Jonathan and Jack and Paul. And he has his father's green eyes. So Andrew's a nice mix of both sides of the family."
Jeanne gave Jane a very pleased look, "We have so much to talk about, Mom. Teach me to be a good mother like you someday, please?"
"My pleasure Jeanne. Whenever you want to. With your mother too. You might get too much advice from us, dear!"
"I can't get enough, Mom," she smiled, "I haven't played with little kids for nine years. I'm a wife now; I need to learn to be a mother too."
Jack loved hearing that affirmation. Talking about having children had been a frequent topic for them.
Two more familiar faces came into the now very crowded treehouse kitchen.
The Baron grinned and hugged Jack, "Jack, my dear grandson. I thought I heard that big booming voice of yours. Goodness boy, look at that beard! It's better than I could ever grow at your age. And I had a really good one, according to your Grandmother Porter."
"Thanks Grandpa!" Jack said proudly. He'd seen that portrait of him and Jane's mother when both were newlyweds in his Royal Army uniform at the Porter estate during visits there.
Jeanne let Archimedes hug her and then hold her by the shoulders proudly, "And this is Jeanne all grown up. Goodness sakes, Granddaughter. Aren't you a lovely woman! I'm so happy for both of you. Congratulations on your wedding. Just like Jane and Tarzan. All done in the wild."
She blushed, and really liked being called 'Granddaughter', and responded, "Thank you, Baron Porter."
"Grandpa or Granddad, please, Jeanne."
Jeanne could very clearly see the family heritage now between Jack and the Baron standing so close together now, despite the huge differences in stature. She wondered wistfully about what Jack would look like in overall white body hair, and maybe even bald. Professor Porter looked very distinguished as the family's patriarch – the honorary Silverback. His eyes had a natural twinkle.
"And you remember Kala?" Porter noted.
Kala was getting very weak, which really worried Jack, and had overall gray fur like Akut and his original mate. Jeanne dropped into a four point knuckle stance and knew how to give a familial welcome to Kala with her bent back of hand caress to her face in a subservient position to an elder.
Kala returned the gesture to Jeanne and said, "Thank you Jeanne. That was very nice. You are so beautiful. I know Jack is happy to have you back as his mate. I still don't know much about humans, but I think you must be just about perfect for him."
"Thank you Grandmother Kala," Jeanne replied kindly.
"That sounds very nice, dear. I like that."
Tarzan and Jane turned to each other and were truly impressed with Jeanne's Mangani manners. They both looked proudly at Jack, seeing how much he had taught her. He just shrugged and grinned. Jeanne loved this very big family even more than the first time, because now she was married into it for a lifetime.
"Goodness, children, where do we start getting reacquainted?" Jane asked clasped her hands together in anticipation of this brand new chapter in their lives.
Jack rubbed his hungry belly, "Well Mom, you can start with letting us have some of that delicious looking food."
Jeanne ribbed him and scowled, "Husband, where are your manners?"
Jane loved the interplay, "You haven't changed one bit, Jack. Pull up a chair, both of you."
As she shared her first meal together with the Clayton's in years, Jane inquired, "Jeanne, dear. You came here first? Why not your mother and father's place in town?
"Yes Mother, we wanted to be here first," she said. She took Jane's hand and squeezed it affectionately, "We'll be living with you guys and the Mangani most of the time, so… it just made sense. My folks and I have waited over nine years. I think they can wait one more day."
"That's so sweet of you to do that for us, Jeanne, dear."
"And besides Mom… we're… uh… kind of not dressed for that reunion yet…" she kidded Jane and she didn't blush.
Jane noted how poised and comfortable Jeanne was living as a Mangani female, particularly since most of the family were total strangers to her right now and she was a little girl the last time she lived with them as a Mangani. Everyone laughed.
"Sweetheart, we'll take care of you right after dinner. We have a surprise for you."
"Oh!" I love surprises," replied Jeanne genuinely.
Jack knew that not long ago she'd have never said that. All of her surprises since being rescued were happy ones. Surprises before that she always dreaded.
After a delicious meal, Jeanne helped Jane clean up with Lily while Jack chatted with his father, despite the long, tiresome trek. When they'd completed the chores, Jane suggested, "Let's go to get both of you moved back into your room."
Jeanne loved the sound of that invitation.
All along the hallway were some of the portraits and photos of her at 13. They told her that her parents had the rest. That made Jeanne feel very wanted. She knew her presence was constantly remembered here and at her parents' flat even if she was not. Her eyes moistened.
On the way, they stopped at a big armoire. Inside were most of her stored clothes from Southwest Africa.
"You saved all this? For me?" Jeanne was simply overwhelmed with how much they had cared to prepare for her return. They all knew the chances of that were very slim. She felt so good inside that they never gave up hope, when many times she did.
Jack explained, "Yes, sweetheart. They've been hanging here just waiting for you to wear them again. The Mayor wanted you to have them for being so helpful to bring Jaeger to justice."
That sentiment brought a tear to Jeanne, "Oh Jack, how kind of you. They really were such beautiful clothes. It's too bad Jaeger was so obsessed with having relations with me. He did adore me and treated me well otherwise."
She tried a few, but quickly found her bust and hips were much bigger at 18 than 13, and she was a few inches taller too, so everything was too short as well.
Jeanne was a little embarrassed, "Oh dear. I didn't know I was that much bigger."
Jack interjected, "I'm just fine with that, cherie."
"You!" she teased and pinched his nose affectionately. They had forgotten their private love talk could now be overhead.
Jane, Lily, and Elisabeth just looked at each other and snickered. These two were definitely acting like a married couple. Jane was further amused how much Jack responded like Tarzan. But what impressed Jane the most was how well Jeanne had resumed a normal life… at least normal for the Clayton's.
Jeanne turned to Lily, "You're just a little older than my age when I wore these last. You can have them. All of them."
The clothes were very high quality, expensive clothes and still fairly fashionable.
"Thanks big sis!" Lily responded appreciatively and gave Jeanne a hug.
Sleeping arrangements had never been thought through though. They stood in the room that was the kids' room nine years ago, with Jeanne, Jack and Lily all together. They were just children then. Adult behavior was not a consideration then.
Seeing her bed still made up for her, and clearly never slept in by Jack since then, brought a tear to Jeanne's eyes, and she exclaimed, "Oh my goodness…"
She – and Jack - were very glad phrases like 'oh my goodness' and 'ohmigosh' had replaced 'scheisse!' and other gross epithets. She was herself again.
Jack put his arm around her and gently said, "Now I can sleep here again. With you…"
Jane and Lily blushed a little at that candid statement. This was a more emotional time than either expected. Jane didn't interrupt the tender moment. Jeanne saw Jack's well-worn cot, but she knew that hadn't been used for two years either, and knew how much he'd sacrificed of his life to come save her traveling across Africa alone.
Jane was frank about what needed to happen, "You kids are going to need your privacy now. You're married. We'll move Lily out and in with the twins."
Jeanne noticed that Lily looked very uncomfortable, and she was quick to respond because Lily was the most affected by Jeanne becoming part of the family, "No, Mom C. We're a Mangani couple now. Privacy is not an issue for us. This is Lily's room too. I especially have no right to displace Lily from her room after all these years just because I'm Jack's new wife."
Lily appreciated her big sister standing up for her rights. Nine years later, Jeanne was the same sweet girl. No matter what happened to her in between.
Jack added, "This has always been 'the big kids' room'. It'll be good to have all three of us together again.
Jeanne noted, "We're fine with this, Mom, unless Lily feels uncomfortable. I was forced to watch my married kidnappers do things together I never wanted to see, and never want to do."
Jane listened carefully to all sides of this situation, knowing that all their lives Jack and Lily were inseparable as brother and sister, so she asked, "Lily? How do you feel about this?"
Lily shrugged, "I'm OK with all of us in one bedroom if it's all the same to you, Mom. It'll be like being in the nest when we're with our gorilla family. Besides, it's no big deal to me if I accidentally see them doing what I've already seen what you and Dad and Jeanne's mom and dad do. You taught all of us long ago that love between married couples is beautiful and right."
"That's right dear," confirmed Jane.
Lily added, "Nothing is different now just because of Jack and Jeanne's relations. In just a year, Mom, this will be Okpara's bedroom too when we're not living in Chief Abassi's big longhouse. There's dozens of relatives all living together there and everything Okpara and I do will be seen by everyone all the time. Seriously, Mom. Privacy with Jack and Jeanne loving each other in our bedroom is not an issue with me. I'm all grown up now. I can handle it."
Lily was completely right, and this was really the first time Jane had fully considered how openly public Lily's love life would be with Okpara, the heir to the Nigerian throne. She was joining a family even more communal than the Mangani. Tarzan and Jane were many times guests of Femi and Abassi in that long house and it was always nice, but was sometimes downright claustrophobic in that hut full of natural human bodies. In some ways, Lily and Okpara being in the same room with only Jack and Jeanne would seem like a private getaway after living in the longhouse.
Jane was very impressed by both Lily's pragmatism about this matter, and about Jeanne's concern about Lily's feelings first, given what kind of awful things the kidnap victim had to suffer. This was the first admission of how bad things had been for her while being kidnapped. Jane had already noticed her daughter-in-law had several knife and fist fight scars.
All three older children looked expectantly at the lady of the house. Her word was law in the treehouse. All three were actually holding hands, which Jane noticed.
Jane stated firmly, "Well. OK, children. This matter is settled then. This is still 'the big kids' room'."
Everyone hugged, and Jack noted, "Thanks Mom, you're the best!"
This was the first time Jane realized that as a mother of older children now, and she'd be dealing a lot more often with grown-up feelings and grown-up activities of grown-up married kids. It actually made her feel old. She always thought they'd all be little like Andrew and the twins, who were growing up too, especially with Paul having feelings for Michelle Jacot. Jane wondered if this is how her Dad had learned to deal with her and Tarzan's married activities. Lily and Okpara were indeed only a year away from getting married. She'd have to deal with this situation again. And again and again and oops… again, she mused.
…
Snuggled later their first night back in Jeanne's old bed, Jack and Jeanne kissed goodnight. They had just made a very big fuss over Lily and both sat on her bed and kissed her goodnight and tucked her in like old times. That pleased Lily a great deal. Jeanne read to Lily a bed time story she always liked for the first time in nine years. Lily may have been 15 now and nearly as grown up as them, but this was the little girl who still remembered Jack and Jeanne in the other 'big kids' bed and cot next to her. This simple gesture meant the world to Lily, and it did marvels for Jeanne's mental well being. The French girl wanted to be re-grounded into everything she loved and cherished before the kidnapping.
Snuggled in what had been Jeanne's bed, Jack was the one who suggested restraint to his wife, "Let's give everyone a few nights to get used to this new arrangement in your bed, before we… umm… you know…"
Jeanne instantly agreed and just snuggled closer to him and tucked under his arm with a very tender kiss. Real, soft sheets covering their bare bodies and pillows under their heads as they snuggled felt very good.
She poked his nose, "This is our bed, our marriage bed, not just your bed or my bed, Viscount Jonathan Robert Clayton IV…"
"Yeahhh… Lady Jeanne Clayton," Jack said in great satisfaction.
That had a wonderful ring to Jeanne's ears.
This first night, Lily did want to know what was happening in her brother and sister's bed, until or if something happened. Lily watched quietly as they tenderly kissed goodnight, said a prayer together, and listened to them go through Jeanne's self-esteem reassurance litany. Lily was concerned at what horrible things in Jeanne's kidnapped life had caused them to do that, and smiled at just how cute they were together as a married couple in their bed. She would never intentionally watch Jack and Jeanne make love to each other, but was pleased to have a happy, full bedroom again. She remembered the few fun times when the nine year old versions of this pair would sneak into each other's bed for an innocent little cuddle before sleeping in separate beds, except for the few times they fell asleep in each other's arms before remembering to go back. Lily was so happy that sneaking around wasn't necessary now that they were married.
She thought very contentedly, "That's my big brother and sister-in-law over there. In their bed!"
There were times when she thought it would never happen and said a prayer of thanks that they were together again and married. And close enough to just go hug any time she wanted to.
So she did.
She bounded out of bed and plopped bedside at theirs, practically launching the newlyweds into the air with her excitement, and put her arms around both, "I can't believe you are both really here. I've missed you Jack. You were gone two years. And Jeanne. Nine years. I was just a little girl then. And I loved you as a sister as much then as now. I always knew you'd be married!"
Jeanne, still reclining in Jack's embrace, took her sister-in-law's hand and squeezed it, "Yes, Lily. Despite everything that happened to me…" she said as she snuggled closer to her husband and gave him a wonderful adoring look, "I did too."
The tender outburst of affection was just enough to buoy both Lily and Jeanne, and Lily said, "Well you two lovebirds… time to go sleep."
She literally skipped back to her bed and blew them kisses over her shoulder like she did as a little girl. Jack did a double take. His sister's bare bottom and real, full breasts were not her little girl's body of years go trotting off to bed after a good night kiss with her brother. Her shape was truly the hourglass shape of a woman's now. He realized just how much time had gone by and how much had changed in his absence.
But to Jane, looking in on the three of them sleeping in their beds later that night, to her, it was like they were all little again.
Jane shed a tear holding close to Tarzan, "This is so wonderful, Tarzan. There they are, dear, back safe and sound. Our son is married to his childhood sweetheart. He saved her and her ordeal is over. They survived, and it seems she's a normal girl."
Tarzan replied with equal satisfaction, "Yes it is wonderful, but dear?"
"What Tarzan? A problem?"
"Yes. A big one," he observed.
"Tell me," she asked anxiously.
"We really need to get a bigger bed here in the 'big kids room' now that they're both sleeping in it."
The young couple looked pretty cramped in the old child-sized bed, with Jack's feet sticking out under the covers on his side. But their contented sleeping smiles were a testament to their desire to snuggle as close as possible in that old, small bed and it didn't seem to bother them one little bit. The truth was that over the past year, they'd slept curled up together tightly in nests they'd made, in tree branches, on or under rocks, in natural caves, and on the banks of many streams, rivers and ponds. They could sleep anywhere, as long as it was tangled tightly together.
"You nostalgic old coot!" she smooched him and went on to check on the other kids' bedrooms and nurseries, and then to their own bed. Both were proud of the amazing growing up family they were raising that lived in two worlds interchangeably.
As usual, Tarzan never got English slang, "But Jane, I've never met a coot that's any way nostalgic. They're all pretty cranky."
She gave him a look and just shook her head with a smirk.
…
The next morning Jeanne woke early because she was anxious, so she slipped out of the covers while Jack still slept and went to the kitchen to find Jane preparing breakfast. She helped. She would return to their bed later for their daily self-esteem therapy, but she could see the time coming soon when it wouldn't be needed.
"Are you OK, dear?" Jane asked, knowing exactly what was happening today.
"A little nervous, Mom C."
She put her hand on Jeanne's dark skinned arm. Jane was well tanned herself but was almost pale in contrast to Jeanne, "Honey, everything will be just fine. You family has been as excited to see you as we were. They are a beautiful family and everything is just fine between your parents and us. The younger kids play like siblings all the time at our place and theirs. We get together regularly and we get out in the jungle sometimes with just our two families as well as with the Mangani. You'll see."
She was a little surprised at one thing, "I think that's really sweet you all are so close. Jack told me they live with you with the Mangani often."
"Not as much as we get into the deep jungle of course, but yes, dear, they join us there and here at the treehouse. Michelle loves it in the jungle."
"Wow, I never thought my mother would adjust to that. And my sister likes being Mangani? That's just wonderful."
"Josephine and Michelle both did, dear, and Michelle's beautiful, just like you. Your mom found out she loved living here in the wild while you and Jack and your fathers were gone. When we were pregnant with Michelle and Paul and Elisabeth."
"I'm so pleased about that. We'll all be so close as family."
"Dear, there's something else you should know. Your sister and Paul. Well... they have a special relationship like you and Jack but just a little older. It looks like we have two childhood romance couples in the same families."
"No! Really? How cute. Just like Mama and Papa!"
The two women chuckled. But the rest of the news about the Jacot's could wait. Josephine explicitly told Jane to keep the best news a surprise.
"Well honey, just like you and Jack, too."
Jeanne was happy about that, but then she remembered the tragic nature of her father's injuries, "Yeah, I guess so, Mom. But what about Papa…? How does he get around? He's…"
"I know honey. It will be shocking and hard. His condition is pretty… unsettling… when he isn't wearing his uniform. But he's still your father. And he gets around well. It's the soldier in him, your Mom says. The Mangani think of him reverently for the sacrifice he made for you. He's regarded a lot like Kerchak and his bravery."
"Wow. How wonderful for them to honor him that way. I love you Mom C. I could always talk to you, and it's like I never left."
"I love you too. I'm glad sweetie. I do feel like I have another daughter with you. My oldest daughter. I realized last night how much I missed that. I can't wait to get to know you better, dear."
"Me too, Mom," Jeanne said in a broken voice.
Jeanne suddenly looked away in shame and broke down, and Jane dropped everything to comfort her, as Jeanne lamented, "I wish I could have had all this when I was little and growing up with the kidnappers…. oh dear… Margrite was hardly a mother figure to me, even though she tried to object to some of the things Karl-Heinz and Gunter demanded from me. But there were so many times when she could have really helped me or comforted me or let me escape. But she didn't. She usually went along with Karl-Heinz and that horrible Gunter. Nice family times like yesterday with all of you were only distant dreams."
Jeanne shuddered and cried harder in Jane's arms with the remembrance of terrible pain in her eyes. Jane realized how long it had probably taken this beautiful young woman to recover with Jack in the wild all the months they were gone, and wondered if she had healed all the way mentally and emotionally yet. She saw physical scars too. Too many… and there were probably far too many bad stories with each one. It was all the mental scars that worried her. But if they were married, it had all worked out. She trusted her son not to make a rash decision. He promised.
Jeanne composed herself and Jane wiped her tears. She smiled weakly at her mother in law.
"That's OK dear, you can let it out any time you feel like it around me."
She sniffed and gathered herself, "I'm so sorry, Mom. That sort of sneaked up on me. It still happens more than I want to. I spent so much time 'letting it all out' with Jack. Your poor son had to pick me up every time, but I'm mostly OK now. It was terrible when we first got back together. I was just awful to him. But he was always so good to me. Even when I didn't deserve him taking care of me."
"Adjusting will take long time, honey. You can't undo eight years of kidnapping in just 12 months of recovery. Jeanne, I can see just how much my son loves you. And just how prepared he is to care for you. I wish you could have heard his compelling parting words about you to us when he went to get you this time. We're all prepared to help you, dear. Josephine and I will be here for you too. We've spent a lot of time talking about what happens after you come home. We're ready to talk any time you need to help you. Some things Jack can't solve because he's a guy. Girl talk is needed even if things get difficult between you and Jack readjusting to each other. Especially if there are… umm… things you don't want to tell your husband."
Jeanne understood her implied point and was very forthright, "We pretty much got through all that. It was rough. But Jack is truly so caring and supportive. You raised a kind boy, Mom C. I saw that when he was 8. He pulled me through. We'll tell you that… in time. Mom, you must know since you brought it up. I did stay a virgin for him. My first time was with him. It nearly cost me my life. More than once. But I did it. And he was so wonderful waiting for."
"Honey, did he tell you about…" Jane couldn't say her name. It still hurt too much.
"Eleanor? Yes. I forgave him. And I understand how and why it happened. That was a really hard time for us."
"I can't even imagine, dear."
"I almost left him over that. Right after we reunited," her voice cracked, "but I'm glad he told me first thing. But I didn't stay angry long, because I love him so. I know now it was the only way for him to do that…"
"And I'm glad you didn't leave him, dear," Jane smiled, taking Jeanne's hand.
Jeanne lightened the mood, "Me too, Mom. Even if he is a jerk, at least I got a great mother-in-law!"
Both women laughed at that.
"Huh? What?" Jack yawned, as he stumbled into the kitchen and scratched his genitals. He had a serious case of bed head, too.
"Ewww, Jack! Gross…" Jeanne scolded her husband.
The sight made them laugh harder.
"See what I had to put up with for a year, Mom? Not a pretty sight!"
"Not any worse than the 16 years of that I had to put up with before you did, dear!" Jane snickered.
They both laughed. Jack was still groggy from the long, satisfying sleep with his wife in a real bed. He was light-years behind where they were in their mother-daughter bonding conversation. The twins trotted in to the kitchen right after him. The house was coming alive for another day in the jungle.
Jane chastised him, "You're a very lucky boy, Jack, never forget that she puts up with you."
"Yes Mother," answered Jack, still not quite sure what he got scolded for.
The tearful part of their discussion was over, Jeanne wiped a final tear with a spongeberry, "Well enough of all that, Mom. It's all past and we are very happily married. I can assure you of that."
The women exchanged smiles as the family activity continued to build in the new day. The twins were examining something weird about their latest batch of nuts and berries. Several moved on their own. Andrew just played with his mashed breadfruit, and tried to eat a juicy beetle that was running as fast and as far away from him as he could. It lost.
Tarzan stretched and yawned as he came into the kitchen looking pretty disheveled and also scratched his male parts. Jane and Jeanne both suppressed a grin and a laugh.
"Wow. Imagine that? Like father like son," Jeanne unexpectedly quipped, and Jane chuckled. Both men were clueless.
Jane decided right then that Jeanne was going to be a wonderful addition to the family as an adult. Nothing seemed to disturb her. One day back and already their married children reminded Jane of her and Tarzan. It was a very good sign that this was a healthy relationship, which was always the worry with all the changes that could cause things to go very wrong. Especially after the hint of a difficult first reunion for them about Eleanor, which had been Jane's single greatest fear, along with the possibility of permanent corruption of her mind by the kidnappers.
Jane knew first hand now that Jeanne was still recovering from years of psychological trauma, but this young woman was clearly predominantly a grown-up version of the little Christian French girl who captured Jack's heart nearly a decade ago. Jane could barely fathom the degree of mental discipline in Jeanne to withstand something like that, especially to remain a virgin as beautiful and desirable as she would be to evil men and their temptations or even coercion to stray. It was a great relief to Jane that Jeanne had done everything to preserve herself for her son. The hardest thing for Jane to accept would have been if Jeanne had become a prostitute, or a promiscuous woman with many boyfriends, or even having a long relationship with one beau before Jack. When Jeanne was a young teen, that Jaeger fellow had worried Jane a lot.
"Mom, I am still worried about meeting my family. I don't have a thing to wear. Nothing upstairs fit I'm afraid. I'm a bigger woman than I was at 13."
"Well Jeanne, right after we feed these guys, let's see if I can tailor one of my dresses for your reunion with your parents. And do you want to shave, dear? I have a real razor for you. The tub is still there."
Jeanne was very happy, "Mom? Really? Do I ever want to do that. That would be great. Jack likes me this way, but I know I have to be a civilized woman now at least once and awhile."
Jane got a wry smile, "Yes dear, I know you want to be Mangani but we will also make you a proper Scottish woman and a Viscount's wife. After your reunion with your parents, young lady, I have another idea. Later this week or next, you and your mother and I are going on a shopping spree in downtown Lagos. Dedicated just to you."
"You don't have to do that for me," Jeanne said but got a happy shiver that someone would do something nice for her.
"My 'welcome home' and 'welcome to the family' gift to you, dear. Who else would I spend money on?"
Jeanne was nearly overwhelmed by Jane's simple hospitality to her. Jeanne remembered that this was what normal families did for each other.
"Us!" the twins and Lily said in unison with three enthusiastically raised hands, causing everyone to laugh.
Jeanne was appreciative but confused, "I would like that, Mom C. But Lagos? Where's that?"
Jack hadn't spent much time talking about all the changes in Nigeria in nine years.
"It's outside the Village of Council Chiefs in the land right next to the old village. It's all new and a modern society. You won't believe the growth, Jeanne. That's where the Army base is along with your parents' flat with the other officers from a dozen different 'll let the boys watch the little ones. There is a wonderful teahouse down the street from the lady's fashions. Josephine and I go there all the time. You are our guest next time!"
"Oh Mom C, that would be wonderful," Jeanne commented. She did miss European style food, especially pastries.
"Can I go too, Mom?" Lily asked, not wanting to be left out from a 'big girl' outing.
Jane answered, "Of course Lily. And whenever we go into town, Jeanne, I am going to personally watch how you make your husband swoon wearing the new dresses."
Jack was quick to respond, "She already does that Mom. Just as she is."
Jane scolded him, "Jack Clayton, this is girl talk. Butt out! You're just like your father. Of course you like her best as she is now. She's just simply beautiful as God created her. Women can be beautiful in other ways than just being naked, dear. Eat your fruit and help feed your baby brother. He's just playing with his food now."
"Yes, Mother," he said quietly.
Jeanne blushed at Jack's compliment about her natural beauty, and despite Jane scolding him, Jane and Lily thought he was sweet. Multiple times already they could see the love flow freely between Jack and Jeanne in everything they said and did with each other. All the fear and concern about being parted nine years was completely unfounded.
Jeanne also couldn't suppress a grin at 'Korak the Killer' – the proven, truly fearsome jungle avenger of her honor – twice already - having his own mother totally control him in less than a single day home after two years in the jungle. She smiled more broadly knowing how much she controlled him too.
Jane mentioned quietly, "Jeanne, dear, you'll need lingerie too, and shoes, makeup, and everything a civilized woman needs to get along. You can't go natural everywhere all the time, sweetheart. Even if he wants you to."
She didn't say anything about being glad to have new foundations that needn't be removed in front of hundreds of drooling strange men, but that was a story for another day with Mom C and her mother. Perhaps both with a whole bottle of Riesling wine to share. Or two. That would be a long conversation.
They went back inside and finished breakfast and cleanup.
"What's next after we get ready?" asked Jack.
"Tarzan and I need to town today with you before you go to Jeanne's mom and dad, because there's another very important matter to attend to."
Tarzan, Jeanne, and Jack looked at each other blankly.
Jane smiled, "Think: 'marriage license'."
"Oh! Yes!" Jack exclaimed with excitement as did his bride.
Lily was excited, "I'm coming as a witness. I don't want to miss this."
"Us too," the twins chimed.
Not wanting to be left out of any family gathering, though he had no idea what was happening, Andrew said, "Me! Me!" in a cute little voice, and they all laughed.
Tarzan concluded, "Well then we'll all go to the magistrate's office, get you both all legally married, then let you two go see the Jacot's."
"While we are on the subject, children, what about your promise before you left, Jack?"
"Oh. The church wedding?" he remembered.
Jeanne snuggled particularly close to Jack on this discussion, and grabbed his arm warmly. They'd spent a lot of time talking about this special celebration.
Jack answered, "Well Mom. We talked about it not so much a wedding, since we did the official Anglican ceremony in the wild, but more as a 'renewal of vows'. But yes we really want to do this for us and for the families."
Jeanne added, "I've never been to Scotland. Jack told me about a cathedral nearby Greystoke – from the Roman era. We would love to confirm our vows there. Like Clayton's of ancient times getting married. We've agreed that I am going to convert to Church of England."
Jane couldn't be happier about this, especially her conversion, even though she knew her parents would be disappointed in that. Jane replied, "Wonderful, dears. You know Jack's dad and I will pay for everything."
Jeanne fretted, "Well isn't the bride and the bride's family supposed to…?"
Tarzan interrupted, "Our gift to you two."
"All we mothers want to see is you in white, sweetheart," stated Jane.
Jeanne gave Jane a big happy smile, "Me too, Mom C! But I know Mama and Papa are going to insist on paying for something. Jack and I only want just our family and mine and just a few guests. It won't be that expensive. No big deal."
"Yay! Family wedding!" shouted all the younger kids.
Tarzan and Jane held hands and Jane said in an unsteady, happy voice, "That would be simply wonderful, Jeanne, dear."
Jeanne knew it was time to get ready to go into town, and they were not really presentable after a year in the wild, so she whispered to Jack, showing her husband the razor, and invited him,"Jack, I'm going to take a bath and shave now. I need your help shedding all my 'jungle fur'. Especially in the 'hard to reach' places."
"Gladly, sweetheart..." he grinned.
Jane overheard, but knew they probably always bathed together in the wild like she and Tarzan always did, so she directed them, "You know where the tub is, my dears. There's plenty of warm water. It's been raining a lot. No one will bother you. I will make sure of that."
Both Jack and Jeanne knew Jane had just invited them to feel comfortable being discreetly intimate for the first time as husband and wife in the treehouse. They exchanged pleased glances. The rest of the family went to get dressed for the trip into town.
Jeanne's first time in a real bathtub in more than a year and first time ever with her husband was extremely fun and soothing, and she started to feel like a human again. Both savored this new kind of closeness, washing each other's bodies and hair in the tub with real soap and shampoo with washcloths. There was a lot of giggling at first, especially when they made soap suds hats and silly clothes and body 'enhancements' for each other.
In their bedroom sewing alterations to the dress and providing some extra underwear for Jeanne, Jane just shook her head at hearing the shenanigans from the bathroom as if they were 9 and playing their innocent games of affection, only these games weren't so innocent. The rest of the family was all dressed for their visit into town outside playing for awhile. Jane shooed them all outside so the young couple could 'play'.
But soon after washing each other, Jack and Jeanne's pulses quickened. She sweetly invited him to completely shave both of her legs, not just the 'hard to reach' parts, using the excuse that she'd left her glasses in the bedroom. She didn't say she did that on purpose, but Jack knew. Shaving her frontside was relatively easy for Jack even though it was very distracting, because she was sitting in his lap while he shaved her. She enjoyed that immensely. It felt like Jack was massaging her legs. The backside shaving of her legs below the knees was simple too.
But the rest was a challenge and a completely thrilling experience for them.
Jack had just finished shaving the inside backside of her legs and inner thighs as she knelt on all fours in the tub full of sudsy water, but at her request, left her hair over her tattoo and the rest of the way above untouched. He wanted that too. He was very careful, not wanting to nick any part of the soft and sensitive feminine areas of her even once. His closeup view of her femininity as he shaved her was extremely stimulating to him. He tried desperately to pretend shaving her year's growth of leg and body hair was another form of grooming. But neither wanted that to be. The smoothness of her freshly shaved legs against his own skin was incredibly exciting to him. She left her underarms untouched too, like most French women, which he liked.
He knew what the close razor shave and the prickliness of the blade and how he handled it on her skin was doing to her emotions. Her breathing was already erratic and her eyes begged for him. The strokes of the blade were a sexual massage to her. She gasped when he was very close to her most sensitive areas and he noticed. They were both on the ragged edge of control, but wanted to lose it soon.
"I think I got it all. I'm done, dear..." he announced quietly, and with an expectant edge in his voice, wanting her permission for more. He got his answer from Jeanne immediately.
"No you're not. Put the razor on the sink, jungle boy," Jeanne cooed.
In a beautifully graceful movement, she turned underneath him, rested her head against one end of the tub and let her long hair float and drift in the water around her. She carefully wrapped her arms loosely around his shoulders and let each of her long beautiful legs drape over opposite sides of the rim of the tub that was custom built for two many years ago for Jane and Tarzan. This morning it held another young couple, no less in love with each other. Her smooth legs were truly beautiful around him, and everything Jack cherished about her beautiful body was exposed and coated with the sudsy water. She beckoned to Jack. He could easily see her anchor tattoo.
"Oh..." he said with eyes widening, taking full advantage of her invitation to couple, and glided in the soapy water unerringly toward her.
It took every effort within them to be breathlessly quiet as they quickly reached their peak.
…
After they emerged from the tub and bathroom, clean and dry and still glowing with the aftereffects of this very special new kind of intimacy, they went back to their bedroom to dress. Jeanne's pretty, clean shaven legs shown in the daylight and she felt like a new woman. Jane was there, making their bed, smiled sweetly at them, and presented Jeanne a very nice blue dress that she'd altered while they bathed, and gave her a short 1920's style rimmed bonnet, hose, gloves, and button up boots.
Jeanne smiled and kissed her mother in law on the cheek, "Thanks Mom for the razor - and that private time with Jack."
Jane smiled back gently, "My pleasure sweetheart. Try this, Jeanne. I think it will fit fine, but we can make a few more alterations if we need to."
"Thank you Mom C. It looks lovely!"
Jack tried to stay and watch her dress.
Jeanne scolded Jack right in front of his mother, "No! No peeking! You had your way with me already this morning, Jack Clayton. Scat! Come back when I'm dressed. This is my special time with your mother now."
Jane was quite amused and added, "Honey, give your new wife some privacy so she and I make her even prettier for you."
Jane piled his clothes and shoes into his arms, and marched him out of their room, and closed the door. He looked like wounded puppy but dressed quickly in the bathroom to be ready for her debut. He was ecstatic to see her soon after in her mother's modified, beautiful English dress, boots, hose, gloves, and sun bonnet. Her makeup was perfect.
"So... You like?" Jeanne gushed as she paraded herself for his eyes, and Jane stood proudly by. Their bonding time was fun. She already loved her grown up daughter-in-law.
He praised her, "Yes, cherie. Very much…"
She complimented him, "Thank you, dear. You're pretty darn handsome yourself, Jack."
She pecked him quickly the lips, and added, "Mom, I nearly fainted the day I saw him come to Walvis Bay in his suit like this at 13 years old. He was so handsome even then, especially for a 13 year girl old hopelessly in love with him from afar anyway."
"I'm sure, sweetheart. But it's getting late. Time to go get your marriage license and see your parents. We have plenty of time to listen to all the stories later."