Transition Plan Chapter 115 - Searching for Jeanne Part 33
It was a shorter walk to the Nigerian capital than the Clayton's thought and it was a cooler day than usual so they all made good time. Along the way, Jack got a very happy squeal out of Andrew when he snatched the boy from his mother's arms when he got squirmy in his play outfit, hoisted the tyke to his shoulders and carried him most of the way there. Andrew was absolutely delighted with the tallest view of everything and giggled and babbled happily non stop, pointing at things he never had seen before from this vantage point. Jeanne loved seeing the youngest Clayton riding his big brother's shoulders and the cute brother-to-brother interactions, which brought a happy tear to her, Jane, Elisabeth, and Lily. Tarzan was very proud of his oldest.
Jack and Jeanne were very excited to take the next step of their reunion journey. The family went straight to the magistrate's office in Lagos to formalize Jack and Jeanne's marriage. They walked up hand-in-hand to the big oak desk.
The clerk asked perfunctorily without looking up, "May I help you, Sir and Madame?"
The clerk noticed the very large family patiently waiting behind them. Rarely did a new bride and groom get that kind of support for a civil ceremony, and it impressed the normally glum clerk of courts.
"We're here to get married, sir," both said proudly and politely.
The man smiled, "I can help you with that. You are a very good looking couple, I dare say. ID, please."
Jack lamented, "Thank you, but... umm… we... uh... don't have any, sir."
Jack's birth certificate was in Scotland and Jeanne's was burned up in the attack on the base in Morocco.
"I'm sorry I can't process…"
Tarzan cleared his throat at the clerk sternly. He suddenly realized who he was dealing with - the great philanthropist most responsible for financing the creation of modern, thriving Lagos.
"Uhhh... No problem for the the Count's family."
Jack paid the man the marriage fees, and they got started with the magistrate in one of the tiny courtrooms, with the entire family crowded around them witnessing their special moment. The vows were quick and simple and they did a little kiss after the pronouncement. Everyone knew the real marriage had been at their pond. Both were very happy to sign their names to the license and Jack protected the document as if it were worth a million dollars. The judge actually honored Jeanne's request to back-date their marriage date six months to their birthdays, the actual day they got married in the jungle. He owed the Count a favor.
The family congratulated them. They walked out of the municipal building happily arm-in-arm with Jeanne asking, "Sweetheart, I do really hope we'll get back to our 'wedding pond' again."
Jack smiled fondly at Jeanne, "If we follow our dreams again, sweetheart, we will."
Jeanne squeezed his arm affectionately, "You are a hopeless romantic, dear. Don't ever stop."
They turned and kissed, but she heard a chime and looked at the nice family heirloom watch Jane had given her. She said anxiously, "It's time, sweetheart."
"Yes dear, it is."
Tarzan and Jane and the family bid them farewell, handed them their light luggage bags, and Tarzan encouraged them, "Have fun getting reacquainted with your Mom and Dad, Jeanne, dear."
They could see Jeanne was excited about the next step, "Thanks for everything, Mom and Dad C. See you Lily! It might be a few days, Mom."
Jane added to her husband's well wishes, "I know dear. We'll be waiting. Take your time, sweethearts. Don't rush your visit just because you think you have to balance your time between parents."
Jeanne kissed Jane on her cheek and smiled graciously. Jeanne greatly admired her mother-in-law.
Paul said awkwardly and blushed, "Uhh... give Michelle a hug for me."
He wanted to say kiss, but wasn't brave enough.
Jeanne promised by teasing, "I'll give her a great big one for you, little brother. And a smooch."
Paul totally turned bright red over that. Everyone laughed. They were so innocent, but cute together. There was a long family history of young love becoming real love because of caring moments like this.
As the family parted ways, Tarzan asked Jane, "Did you tell them about…?"
She grinned, "No. Josephine said that they need to experience the surprise - at the same time they surprise the Jacot's."
Jack and Jeanne were at the town square, and he bought her a pastry at the French bakery, and headed toward her parents. She savored the delicious treat. From their fun conversations on 'the first thing I'll do when we get back' list, Jack knew she had a soft spot for filled croissants. Although she thanked her husband profusely, she didn't share it well and teased him with the last bite.
"You need a good disguise to completely surprise them," Jack suggested.
Jeanne agreed, "Yes, that would be fun. Mean. But fun."
"I have an idea," noted Jack slyly.
"What?" she begged with a quirk in her smile.
He quipped snidely, "Not telling. Gotta show you."
"You great big jungle jerk. Tell me," she whined.
He simply shook his head no, took her by the hand, pulling her, and she giggled. It was another of their grown up games together. Heads turned in the square admiring the cute couple and the joy they were having.
She could only think as she looked at him adoringly when he wasn't looking, "Everything in life is fun again because of Jack."
They strolled over to one corner of a local park where a British Women's Rights rally had ended. Jack picked up a ribbon and tied it around his wife's arm, and gathered some leftover literature for her to carry. Jack replaced her sun bonnet with a straw voting rights hat left on the ground, and carried the bonnet for her with their luggage.
Jack noted, "Now you look exactly like a suffragette!"
"But Jack," she fretted in her thick French accent, "I'll never sound English. Ever…"
"All you want to do is throw them off a minute," he smirked.
She smiled, "You, dear husband, are always the one for a dramatic last minute entrance."
"By doing that at the market I fooled everyone and finally saved you."
"You were brilliant that day, my dear Slave Master. You sure had me fooled," she giggled and teased, "I never wanted to be bought by that scruffy looking, smelly desert nomad."
"Scruffy? Smelly? I beg your pardon, dear. Remember I was the only bidder who didn't want you to be naked," he tried to look insulted, but it wasn't working.
"Don't you forget I begged you to buy me. And what thanks do I get for that? You made up for saying that by keeping me naked a whole year in the jungle," she quipped and pecked him on the lips.
"That makes me the luckiest jungle boy in the world, sweetheart. And besides, I know you loved me being naked with you..."
She blushed and then fretted, "And yes, dear, you're right, because you're so cute. Now stay focused, jungle boy. Where will you be, when I knock on their door, sweetheart? If I'm alone long, they'll think we're separated."
"Just out of sight. Waiting for the right 'entrance cue'."
Jeanne caressed his bearded cheek, "Jack, sweetheart, if you ever get tired being the Viscount, I think the Shakespeare Company should take you."
Both snickered.
They walked to the military base housing, located the flat which the Clayton's had visited often, and walked up to the doorstep. Jeanne gripped his hand tightly.
"Ready?" he asked.
"As much as I will ever be. This is harder than meeting your family again, Jack. This is just as hard as my first dance at the burlesque in front of a real audience."
Jack was shocked, "Wow, I can't believe you put those two things in the same sentence."
"Not really. Both are 'Fear of the Unknown'," she answered and kissed his cheek, and let him hide behind a decorative column just a couple of steps away.
Hesitating, Jeanne sighed, and knocked on the front door with her white-gloved hand. She rearranged her straw suffragette hat for the umpteenth time. She really needed a hairpin for it. Jack admired her in her beautiful outfit in which they performed the civil marriage ceremony and signed the marriage license. He couldn't wait for the photographer to print the photo for them. His mother was right. She was just as pretty with clothes on as without, and still couldn't believe Jeanne was legally his lifetime companion. He increased his protective grip on the big envelope containing their license.
"Our marriage license," he grinned to himself. She glanced over saw the death hold he had on it, and smiled.
While they waited for someone to come to the door, and she stepped over and pecked his cheek, "Jack. I feel the same way, dear. We're married. Really, truly married in the eyes of England."
"And the world, Lady Jeanne Clayton."
That gave her goosebumps. She was actually a noblewoman. She hoped she would not disappoint his family in that new role for her. She wanted to see the Castle soon. She needed to feel part of the centuries of history of the Clan Clayton, no matter how small a part that might be, even if she was only remembered as the mother of the next generation of the Clayton's. The Jacot's couldn't even remember family history back five generations.
Before they could say something else, a girl peered out the frosted window and vaguely saw what appeared to be very well dressed young woman. Jeanne's heart skipped a beat. It had to be Michelle. The surprise was almost on Jeanne and she had to gather herself. She'd expected her mother to answer the door. She thought fast.
"Just a minute," the girl announced while she fumbled with the door locks.
Michelle was much prettier than the last family picture Jack had given her showed. Michelle was nearly identical in her olive complexion to Jeanne, shades lighter only because she'd not spent a year in the jungle, but she possessed the same straight, shiny black hair that was shoulder-length long. Her hazel eyes were a haunting match to Jeanne's. Her build and height was identical to Jeanne at age 10. It was clear she was little annoyed by the interruption. That would make it a bigger surprise.
Michelle knew introduction etiquette with strangers, and in broken English, with a very heavy French accent in a very cute young girl's voice, she smiled at the pretty stranger and asked, "May I help you Madame?"
The pretty young woman explained, struggling to minimize her French accented-English, "I am canvassing for Equal Rights for British Women and hoping to call upon your mother today. Is she available?"
Without a great deal of interest in the voters rights advocate, not really looking at her, Michelle replied, "Wait inside the door please, while I go get her. Is it all right that we're French?"
Jeanne said cheerily, and let her accent become a little more obvious, "Yes of course, Mademoiselle. French women are campaigning for the same rights back home."
Michelle became a little more skeptical the more the suffragette spoke, and finally gave the young woman more than an offhand glance, examining her with a raised eyebrow, "You don't sound very English. Or look English."
Jeanne responded, "Well I just recently became a citizen."
Jeanne could pass for an Igbo woman, but then Michelle realized that Igbo women didn't have hazel eyes. The dawn of realization worked its way across the ten year old's face, "Uh… wait…"
Michelle took a long, serious look at the young woman with dark skin and long black hair and hazel eyes whom she had never seen before in her life. And yet, Michelle knew her.
Instantly Michelle's eyes got as big around as they possibly could, her jaw dropped, and she could not draw a breath. She gasped in her native tongue, "Mon Dieu, c'est Jeanne!"
"Bonjour, ma fille Michelle," Jeanne responded and smiled broadly, extending her arms wide for a hug.
Michelle nearly tackled her sister, falling into Jeanne's open arms, embracing and kissing her cheeks desperately. They held each other at arm's length, the two bounced up and down in unison with sheer joy, and they laughed even harder. Jeanne's straw hat finally just fell off. Smiles turned to happy tears and a staccato of French terms of sisterly endearment that Jack didn't even know.
Seeing Michelle and Jeanne celebrate their first ever meeting was like looking at identical twins born nine years apart, Jack just grinned. Same hair color, same skin color, same facial features, same eye color. It was absolutely delightful to watch.
Michelle was beside herself as she exclaimed completely in French, "Oh my goodness, Jeanne! After so long. You're here. You're alive. You're … ohmigoodness... You are so beautiful. My sister! I have a real, live, gorgeous big sister!"
Jeanne answered, sharing their common native language, "You too, Michelle. You're such a pretty girl, dear sister."
Michelle jumped up and down she was so giddy. Jack was very amused that Jeanne had the same exact 'jumping like a crazy woman when she was excited' mannerism. Michelle reminded him so much of Jeanne when they were younger. Jack imagined his younger brother Paul was in for a wonderful journey if he and Michelle stayed together. The journey Jack and Jeanne wanted but couldn't have. Until now.
The little French girl buried her head in her sister's frilly blouse and clamped her arms around Jeanne. They had never seen each other in their lives except from the Southwest Africa pictures, but their affection flowed freely.
But Michelle got a horrible feeling, "Wait… no, Jeanne, You're alone. Please don't tell me that you and brother Jack…"
Jack appeared instantly from behind a stone column in flawless French, "Right here, little sister. Don't worry sweetie. Your big sister and I will never ever be apart in life again. Michelle, meet Jeanne Clayton."
She hugged him too, and drew both into her embrace, "I'm so glad you two got married. We all celebrated for days after the radio message from you."
Michelle only let go for a moment to shout down the hallway, "Mama, come quickly."
A voice came from deeper inside the apartment, "In a minute, honey. I'm busy. If it's a salesman, send them away."
"No! Now! Right this very minute, Mama. Please, you must. There's visitors."
The French familial term 'Mama' was exactly what Jeanne called her mother. It surprised her.
They heard the exasperated sigh and mutterings of Josephine. It was funny.
Josephine walked down the hall with a stern look, chastising Michelle, "Dear me, what's all the commotion about? What could possibly be so important? I am so busy right now with laundry. This better be worth the interruption. And be quieter, Michelle, you'll wake…"
And then she turned and saw who was in the doorway, "… Mother Mary, help us. J-J-Jeanne. And… Jack?"
She examined the bearded man carefully and started to embrace Jeanne, "Oh dear God in heaven, thank you, Jack. Jeanne. Oh, my sweet Jeanne."
But Josephine fainted completely away. Fortunately, Jack was ready to catch her. Jeanne and Jack had predicted at least one of the Jacot women would faint. She even warned Jack to be ready for her to faint. He would have been in real trouble of all three of them dropped.
Jack placed Jeanne's mother carefully on the sofa, Michelle got a wet rag, and Jeanne took it and gently revived her mother. Josephine's eyesight was fuzzy as she came around. She didn't realize Jeanne held the cold rag dabbing her and supporting her head on the sofa. Mistaking one sister for the other, even with the age difference, would be easy.
"Mon Dieu, Michelle, I had the oddest day dream. That your sister Jea-"
Jeanne interrupted, "It was no daydream, Mama. It is Jeanne. Here I am."
Jeanne leaned down into her mother's tearing eyes for the first time in almost ten years and kissed her mother on both cheeks.
"Hello, Mama…" Jeanne sat up and smiled lovingly.
Josephine tried to sit up and they hugged and cried for minutes with not a word exchanged. Just tears and sniffles and giggles and tender sweet reunion caresses between mother and daughter.
Jack and Michelle stood by after an affectionate hug, and just savored their own reunion while mother and daughter embraced, "Well, you're looking good, big brother, after two years in the jungle. Sacre bleu, how about that beard? Jeanne must love that."
"Thanks Michelle. And yeah, she does. She actually doesn't want me to shave it off. I would have right after I rescued her. You, sis, just keep getting prettier and prettier. All my sisters are just beautiful."
"Merci. And it looks like I really can call you 'big brother' now like Lily does. I've kinda been always jealous of her for that," seeing her sister's and his wedding rings.
"Michelle, you have no idea how much that means to me," he said and they hugged, "And what's this all about you and my brother Paul, sis?"
She blushed, "Oh. You know? Well... we kinda sorta love each other like you and Jeanne did back then. It's pretty special. And fun. He's so cute and nice like you, big brother."
"'Nice boys' seems to run in their family, Michelle. And cute," added Jeanne affectionately.
Josephine was still reeling from the homecoming so terribly long in coming and took his hand in hers, "I don't know how we can ever repay you, Jack."
"Umm… how about: baby sit when we have kids?" he grinned. Jeanne blushed hard.
"Goodness Jack, embarrass me first thing right in front of Mama, dear heart," scolded Jeanne, but was glad he said that.
"Same old Jack…" Michelle laughed.
Josephine was happy to oblige as she looked at Jeanne's rescuer more affectionately and stated, "I accept that challenge, dear son. My goodness, look at that beard! You're a man now! I saw it in the newspaper photo, but it's much more impressive in person."
"Newspaper photo?" Jack asked.
Michelle explained, "Yeah, Jack. There was a big article in the Dar es Salaam Gazette that Papa received about the slave market being destroyed a year ago when you guys escaped. Your picture was on the front page escaping with Jeanne and you guys are being credited with starting the riot, but to this day no one knows who you are. Except us. Here. Look. It's in our family scrapbook."
He opened the volume carefully and showed it to his bride. She was equally surprised. A shiver ran through her with the awful remembrance seeing herself in shackles and barely covered.
"Wow..." Jack observed but quickly saw her discomfort and put an arm around her, "Are you OK?"
She gave him a look of assurance, "I'll be all right, cheri. It's such… such a shock when you don't expect it."
Those were desperate times, he remembered. Michelle told them all the details and how Jack's total disruption at the market had allowed all the slaves to escape and for the Bobbies to put an end to the horrible slave market and freed hundreds that day and the weeks that followed.
Jeanne noted, "They burned it? Good riddance."
Jeanne was happy the disgusting slave master who treated her as callously as an animal ready to be butchered was shot and she was able to laugh, "We're famous, Jack! And you're a hero to all those freed slaves."
Jack was pleasantly stunned, "I… I guess so. Look at these other photos, dear. Even that young mother that was sold just before you got reunited with her family before anything awful happened to her."
"I'm so glad, dear. That broke my heart seeing that woman sold."
"It broke my heart seeing you sold," he added.
"Thank the Lord you were my buyer, dear."
Josephine and Michelle were very silent, but they could easily see all the terrible memories relive in Jack's and Jeanne's eyes through their shared comments and tone. There was so much they endured in a year. As a nurse, Josephine knew to let them talk about their shared trauma, but only when they were ready.
Jack let the impact of them being responsible for the end of slave market in Tanganyika sink in, and Jeanne savored everything else that had been said so far. Jeanne liked her mother calling Jack her son. Michelle regarded him as her real brother. The families obviously had remained close. Very close. It was clear how much they all loved each other and did a lot together. That was comforting. She actually thought how awkward it would be right now if she had broken up with Jack.
It was Jeanne who ended the recollection, and put down the scrapbook, "Well. Enough of that for now. That's all past history. Here we are. Reunited."
Josephine was fully recovered, and drew Jack into an expanded hug with Jeanne, as well as Michelle.
The huge group hug went on for minutes, chatting about how wonderful everyone looked and what they wanted to do together, but they heard a baby's cry.
Jo broke the embrace suddenly, "Oh my goodness! I just Ieft your brother in the crib to see what you were yelling about, Michelle."
Jeanne was beside herself in excitement. There was another child in the Jacot family, this one completely new. She looked at Jack. He had no idea either. Just like Andrew. Their mothers and fathers had been busy while they were gone.
While Jeanne stood by holding her breath to meet her new brother, Josephine brought out a very sleepy, cranky one year old boy. He was rubbing his eyes and being crabby and babbling rug rat gibberish. He had olive skin but was a lighter tone than either sister or mother. He was a perfectly even blend of Josephine and Armand's skin colors. With black-as-night hair.
Josephine made introductions, "Jeanne and Jack, I would like you to meet Etienne, your brother. Etienne, honey, this is your big sister and brother."
At one, Etienne was attempting speech like Andrew, but 'sisee' and 'bruh' was all that came out. They laughed.
Jeanne was ecstatic and reached for her baby brother, "Mama, you got your boy! May I?"
"He's always cranky right after a nap, but go ahead and try. If he cries, remember he just woke up. It's not you, dear."
"Hi there little brother!" and he snuggled against her and made some cute noises. She kissed him on the cheek.
Jeanne beamed at her husband, "Oh Jack, isn't he sweet? I have a baby brother too!"
Josephine was enjoying the wonderful bonding going on with Jeanne and Etienne who was really smitten with his big sister, who was very similar to him and his mother in looks, so she asked, "Honey, you are so good with Etienne. Are you…?
Jeanne blushed, quite embarrassed by her mother's directness, "Goodness sake, Mama. No! We've only been married six months. We aren't ready yet."
Jack put his arm around her and casually noted, "You look good holding your little brother, dear."
That made Jeanne blush deeper. Josephine and Michelle didn't miss either reaction. Those comments made Jeanne's day. This just underscored their common desire to have children with this new revelation about Etienne, the earlier surprise of Andrew, and Jack's continued supportive emotional comments about her natural maternal instincts. They wanted children; it was just timing. All this good news might accelerate their timetable.
Jeanne couldn't believe how fast her world had turned completely around. Barely a year ago, she was an accomplished stripper who smoked heavily, was nearly an alcoholic, swore terribly, and was almost sold as a sex slave in the most morally decadent part of Dar es Salaam. Now she was reunited with her family, holding her baby brother, talking about having babies, and being a wife to her nobleman husband Jack.
She said a silent prayer of thanks for her deliverance.
Etienne really did like this new girl who had familiar features as everyone else in his family, and Jeanne's infectious smile and comfortable manner with him coaxed a grin out of the little boy. When he looked at Jack, however, he was wary of this furry-faced man and his huge size. Jack was pretty scary looking, despite his friendly smile and kind twinkle in his eyes.
Josephine knew when to change the subject, "Please, Jack and Jeanne, come in, and sit down. This is home now. Hungry?"
"We just ate lunch with my family, but we didn't get dessert."
Jack gave his bride a smirk and an eye roll, about her desire for a second dessert.
Josephine insisted on bringing some homemade pastries that were delicious, and gave them a big happy sigh, "Look at you both! I don't know where to begin. When we got word on the radiotelegraph from you that you got married about six months ago, we knew it was all over but just the journey home, but worried about all the dangers in between."
"We survived, Mama, but not without some adventure along the way," Jeanne said cautiously.
"Armand, Michelle, Etienne, and I want to hear all about it when you have time. You're quite the stunning married couple. Hold out your hands and let me see those rings."
She examined their hands carefully, "They're beautiful. They look ancient, Jack, Are they some kind of Clayton family wedding tradition?"
"Well sort of, Mom J. They belonged to one of my ancestors and it seems a messenger from God put them out for me to take when I left for her. I really surprised Jeanne with them when we married in the jungle."
She watched Jeanne's blush and demure look.
"Goodness, how romantic for you both," Josephine exclaimed.
"It was, Mama. We had a wonderful marriage ceremony in the jungle that Jack got from his church in Scotland. And we've already taken care of this to make it official," Jeanne explained, took the file from Jack, and showed her mother their marriage license. Josephine was most pleased. She saw Tarzan and Jane's witness signatures.
"Jane was here with you? She should have come by."
"She didn't want to interfere with our homecoming. She thought it was best just you and us. And didn't want to spoil our little prank on you."
Michelle grinned, "You really had me for a minute, sis."
Josephine shook her head contentedly, "She's the best, you know? That dear mother of yours, Jack. Jeanne, sweetie, she and I couldn't be better friends. She always knows the right thing to do. You may have guessed we were pregnant together, twice actually if you can remember me carrying Michelle after escaping Morocco. But it was more fun the second time. We were trying to be pregnant together. Count Clayton and Armand doted on us. And we drove them crazy."
They all laughed heartily. Jack knew how excited his father could get taking care of his mother when she was pregnant. He hoped to be the same for Jeanne.
"Thanks, Mom J. I know my mother feels the same about you."
The four parents had all vowed to let the horrible family argument in aftermath of Kamina remain in the past, never to be brought up in front of Jeanne. Ever.
"Mom J?" Jeanne grinned.
Nearly ten years of friendship between families showed through. Jack had a long head start on her with this 'in law' business, and it warmed her heart that he clearly always planned being part of her family, which made the affair with Eleanor even more inexplicable.
"Did Mama and Papa know about Eleanor?" Jeanne wondered, but decided to say nothing. It was all in the past now.
Josephine asked, "How long can you stay, kids?"
Jeanne replied happily, "As long as you and Papa want us to. The Clayton's are prepared to let us stay with you awhile."
"Well, we don't want to take all your time. Jack's been gone two years, and his parents are going to want you home too. We want to hear it all, good and bad, dear, whenever you feel like talking about your ordeal."
"It was mostly bad and worse, Mama, except when Papa and Jack tried to save me. Jack helped me through all my troubles after he rescued me."
"Oh dear, Jeanne. I'm so sorry this all happened to you."
"All that awful stuff doesn't matter anymore Mom. I survived and my life is exactly what I want. I'm home and married to Jack."
"You're so strong, sweetheart…" Josephine started to get teary again. It hurt bitterly that she missed Jeanne's entire late childhood and teen years because of the kidnapping. But she knew now they had the rest of their lives ahead as mother and daughter.
To keep herself from becoming a puddle of tears, having similar thoughts, Jeanne changed the subject and asked, "Where's Papa?"
"He'll be along any minute from work. It takes him awhile dear. I'm sure you know why."
"I do know. Jack told me when I was 13 in Southwest Africa. He gave me the family picture you wanted me to have. I thought Papa was dead then, Mama. I'd rather have him hurt than not have him at all. It kept my spirits up knowing Papa didn't die in Garua."
She didn't want to tell her mother she saw the grenade explode, killing her father's warrior friends and at the time, thinking he was dead too. It was too horrible for words, and too easy to recall.
"Me too sweetie. Me too," she reflected, "There is so much to say to you Jeanne, honey…"
"We have all the time in the world to say it, Mama."
Jack smiled, knowing that was his line.
Jeanne got a good long look at her sister simply smiling at her and Jack from the couch next to theirs, and remarked, "My goodness Michelle, you're as grown up as the Clayton twins."
"I'm best friends with them. Jack sure knows that 'cuz we ganged up on him all the time. We get to play a lot here, in the village with all our Nigerian friends, and in the jungle with the gorillas. It doesn't matter where - just that we get to play. I like being in the jungle best, especially with the Mangani. The gorillas are really fun to play with. A lot of them are our age, and we never have to worry about getting our clothes dirty and Mama getting mad. And it's nice being close to Paul in the jungle. You know about us already."
"That's sweet about you and Paul. I can't wait for us all to play in the jungle together," Jeanne was pleased, but never considered her perspective about living naturally, which obviously he sister was comfortable with. But she sure understood Michelle's feelings about being close to her boyfriend. Jeanne felt exactly the same way. Then and now.
Michelle asked excitedly, "Do we really get to play together? You and Jack are adults now. And married."
"Of course we will, sweetheart. We're not even 19 yet. That's one of the things I want to do most now that I'm home. I may be married but really I want to play with you. Do things with you. And now Etienne too. We spent a lot of time playing with each other on the way back, just like we did with our friends - years ago. Our favorite place was a lake not too far from the treehouse."
Michelle informed her, "We know. It's lovely. We've all been there a lot, but it'll be more fun with you there."
"You bet Michelle. I can't wait to dunk Jack in the deep pool, slide down the rock chute and swing on that long vine over the cliff with you."
"It's all still there!" Michelle grinned.
She was really excited to get back to their old play areas. Young adults or not. There was a hidden cove that they used to sneak away from their Nigerian friends to steal kisses when they were nine. They could do a lot more in the cove now than just kissing. And planned to.
Josephine could see their excitement build for being in the jungle with the combined families, "Well, my dears, we'll get there as soon as we can to celebrate your homecoming. But for now you're stuck in this dull old apartment. Hmm… Where to put you two married people… Ah! I know. You can sleep in Michelle's room a few days and she can double up in the baby's room. I'm afraid we don't have much room here, especially with a new baby. Sorry Michelle."
"Ehh. No matter. That's fine with me, Mama, and he'll like that," Michelle shrugged.
There was a noise outside that made Jeanne jump. It sounded metallic like her chains and shackles did. Jack placed his hand on hers to calm her. Seeing her slave photo had set her on edge.
"Papa's here!" exclaimed Michelle.
They could hear the mechanical sounds of Armand working his way up the staircase to the front door. It was laborious and they could hear him strain with his metal artificial limbs and crutches. Jeanne's heart went out to her father.
"Honey I'm home," he announced, and was out of wind after only one flight of stairs.
Josephine gave both Jack and Jeanne a sign for their silence to surprise him.
Armand was shaking his head in frustration as he entered their flat, "Sacre bleu, it was a tough day. The Portuguese were all bent out of shape on a territory dispute and the Togolese were arguing over offshore fishing rights with Nigeria. And even worse, Jo, it was another day without a single word about Jeanne and Jack. I'm really worried. It's been over six months since their last message. Even walking, they should be here by now. I'm thinking about sending a patrol and an aircraft out to Northern Kamerun to look for them."
Josephine was having a really hard time holding the good news in and motioned the other three to absolute silence, and teased, "Well, honey. Did you ever think that our honeymooners would take their time to play in the jungle together? Besides, I already know they're OK, Armand."
Armand just rolled his eyes,"I know you mean well dear, but you just can't know that. They were west of Lake Victoria, when last we heard, a long time ago. There have been no radio transmissions since."
"I don't need a radio. They're in the parlor eating dessert, soldier boy."
The words sunk in to Armand.
"Mon Dieu!" he exclaimed, he walked in to the living room, stood and beheld his striking daughter and Jack.
"Hi Papa!" she lilted.
She got up and rushed to him and his embrace. He couldn't get his left arm all the way around her.
Armand apologized, "Sorry honey, I just can't hug the way I used to."
Jeanne's emotions poured out of her for her father, "Papa. Oh dear Papa, it doesn't matter how you hug. Just that you do hug."
"I suppose so, dear," he noted as very happy tears streamed from not just Jeanne's face but his too, and Josephine's.
He saw Jack, and tried unsuccessfully to wipe his tears, and ordered, "Not a word to your father about this, Jack. You 'stiff upper lip British' and all that."
"I won't, but in fact, Real men can cry, Dad J. I know."
Jeanne flushed with the allusion to all the fear and pain and then reconciled happiness that Jeanne and he experienced.
Josephine said to Armand, "They're staying for several days. We can catch up and go have some fun together."
"So how about I fix your favorite family dinner tonight, child?" suggested Josephine.
"Can't wait, Mama!" Jeanne answered. If only she could remember what that was.
…
They got back to the treehouse three days later, refreshed and renewed in her relationship with her parents and siblings.
Jeanne, her mom, Jane and the other girls had a truly wonderful time shopping together a couple of days after that, and she smiled when she put the last of her beautiful new clothes and shoes in her closet and new underwear in the dresser drawer, much of it picked out to entice Jack. She bought some of it with her own money from Southwest Africa, which made her feel even more independent. There was not one single red item of clothing. She would never wear red again after her stripper's dress was burned at the slave market.
She noticed her old stuff was already sorted and in Lily's closet, and that Lily had worn one of her old outfits their shopping day.
Jeanne was very pleased, and knew she would now look like a young nobleman's wife whenever they were out in the civilized world. In the jungle world she would be just as happy to simply be natural with Jack as the mate of the Prince of the Jungle whenever she was with his and her families and animal friends.
The women and girls all agreed that trip to the pond for everyone needed to be scheduled soon for a joyous reunion. There Jeanne and Jack would tell their parents all at once her entire kidnapping story and the story of the jungle rescue and their return adventures. She'd only have to tell the stories once.
She watched as Jack proudly put their marriage license in a frame and mount it on the wall on their side of the bedroom. He put the official photograph of them married right next to it. Everyone loved their smiling faces. It was literally the first picture of them together as a couple ever. Lily hugged them both. Both admired the new license, kissed affectionately, and then looked at each other with tremendous desire.
Jeanne pulled her 'official' new husband by English and Nigerian law over to their bed, seated him purposefully on the bed sheets, sat in his lap, smiled, and put her arms around him. Lily knew something was up that didn't include her.
The French girl asked, "Uh… Lily, dear sister. Can we be alone a little while, please? Lock the door too…"
Lily was a little frustrated but understood, as this was the first time in the two weeks they'd been back they actually asked for 'alone time', and celebrating their official marriage was something special, so she was a good sport and quipped, "OK, OK. I know when I'm not wanted."
"Thanks Lil," Jack said as he broke the first deep kiss with Jeanne in a few days. The instant the door closed, Lily heard a muffled shriek and giggle.
Lily plopped down at the kitchen table and looked a little forlorn.
Jane was just finishing the clean up from lunch, and wiped her hands on a towel, and sat with her oldest daughter, "What's the matter dear?"
Lily sulked, "Jack and Jeanne. They wanted their fun. I know they need it, but that's no fun for me."
"Oh really?" said Jane and heard the giggles and snickering from the floor above them, quickly followed by an adult version of their ancient smooching and 'making goofy noises' game. It was getting loud.
"Yeah… it happened fast. Jack put up their new marriage license and photo. And then they made those 'goo goo' eyes at each other like they do, and well… Jeanne shooed me out of the room."
Still in the kitchen helping with chores, Elisabeth and Paul grinned, and said, "Really?"
Jane pointed a finger, "Don't you two dare interrupt or go tease them."
Paul complained, "Awww Mom. We see you and Dad all the time in the nest. We watched Andrew get born. Why not? It's no big deal."
"Because it's not the right time yet; we're not at the nest. People get their privacy here if they want it. And today they wanted it," she said sternly.
Tarzan swung in with his kill for dinner slung over his shoulder, noticed the noises upstairs, looked up at the ceiling, and asked, "What's going on up there?"
Jane scolded him with a look, "You have to ask, dear?"
Tarzan realized what the noises were, got a little flustered, and the only answer Tarzan could muster was, "Oh… I see... umm... do we sound like that?"
All three kids said simultaneously, "Yes!"
And they all laughed. Life was different now with Jack and Jeanne home. But different in a very good way.
It wasn't long until they all were in the depths of the jungle with the Jacot's for a much needed holiday together.