Transition Plan Chapter 116 - Searching for Jeanne Part 34
Author's Notes: We continue the reunion activities of Jack and Jeanne will all their extended family. Rated T for sexual encounters and recounting disturbing situations.
...
It was a glorious day deep in the Land of the Western Mangani, with the hot equatorial sun glittering through the trees, tempered by a soft comforting breeze wafting through the leaves and limbs of the giant canopy of trees and lush greenery. The sound of a multitude of birds and insects could be heard everywhere around them, and the growls, grunts, and hoots of familiar animal friends nearby, interested in well-being of the human enclave around the pond, but knowing to stay away for now from this most cherished of reunions between long lost family. It was a time of rejoicing and thinking about the future for Jack and Jeanne, and of reconnecting with the combined human families in the most beautiful venue Jack and Jeanne remembered as childhood lovers. Their pond. Already many happy tears had fallen and embraces were given and received.
Both families were encamped around the pond. Terk had joked to her cousin Tarzan the last time the humans and gorillas were all together that there were so many Clayton's and Jacot's now that they were their own human Mangani troop. And now there were two more.
Jeanne could not be happier with how free she felt again unencumbered by clothes and with what she saw around her with her two very attractive families she loved so much. For a moment, Jeanne just simply enjoyed and absorbed the sights and sounds of the delightful family activity around her, sitting alone comfortably on a rock dangling her pretty dark olive-brown feet and legs in the water.
The middle three ten year olds were frolicking naturally in the pond. Paul and Michelle were never far from each other, holding hands, and on occasion, lightly kissing, but not so much as to be scolded by either parent. They seemed as serious about each other as she and Jack were at that young age. Lily, a young woman blessed with a truly magnificent body, was taking care of Etienne and Andrew, to give both nursing mothers a break to be with their husbands. Both little boys loved the shallow water and splashing and they exchanged smiles. They were old enough to start to socialize with each other a little, and were happy to be rid of their diapers. Across the pond, embraced in each other's arms, were their parents. Even in their 40s, Jeanne thought their parents were so attractive together. Jeanne prayed that her desired multiple childbirths ahead of her would be as kind to her body as pregnancy was to their mothers' beautiful bodies. She saw the love exchanged between parents, with tender kisses and caresses, glad to be natural together again too. It was clear to Jeanne that her mom and dad were joined discreetly, letting the water hide them and support his injured body. It looked like her mom started it, and now she understood why her own desires were sometimes more aggressive than Jack's.
"Good for them," she thought.
In her escape from a world of crime and immorality conducted for prurience and lewdness, this wonderful extended family gathering could not be more cathartic for her. This was the life she remembered as a nine year old with Jack on an expanded scale.
Jack came up next to her, having finished some sand castles for the toddlers that they thoroughly enjoyed smashing to bits together. Jeanne loved watching her husband play with the small children. Especially her baby brother. Tarzan and Armand, smiling, now finished with her mother, swam over to take over care of the little ones. Jeanne noticed her mother relaxing nearby positively glowing having just been with Armand. Lily simply glided into the water to relax by floating on her back for awhile. Jeanne was still amazed at how beautiful she was. They didn't see her signal the other children as Jack took her attention.
"May I join you, sweetheart?" Jack asked Jeanne.
She smiled that special smile that was only ever meant for him, and giggled, "Of course dear, pull up a piece of rock and sit with me."
He sat down, and then they scooted closer so their bare legs and hips touched. Jack had to admit he liked her newly-shaven smoothness despite his strong attraction to her soft hair-covered legs and body for the past year. She leaned in and pecked his fuzzy cheek and ran her fingers through his dreadlocks. They just sat for awhile silently. Often, simply being next to each other touching or holding each other silently was its own comfort for them.
They were about ready to call the parents together to really start talking, but in unison, the younger kids ran over and pulled on Jeanne and Jack and begged them to simply come play the first day at the pond. The children looked quite ready for some action, and were trying to persuade their older sibs. It looked like they were planning some kind of playful attack. It was four against two.
Paul stood with his hands on his hips defiantly as any jungle ape, "Are you guys gonna just sit there all day and make 'goo goo' eyes with each other, or are you actually going to play with us like you promised?"
Jack and Jeanne looked at each other and winked.
Jack drawled casually, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "Oh… I don't knowww… Jeanne? What do you think?"
Jack quietly stood, nonthreatening, but towered over the combined siblings of both families. The four parents watched, and knew something was brewing. But what happened next would completely astonish them.
Jack suddenly reached out with both powerful broad arms, and swept up the three ten year olds like they were limp sacks of potatoes, and tossed them all happily screeching and yelling into the deep water in front of the rock, causing a monstrous splash of water and ripple of waves in the otherwise placid lake.
At the same time, Jeanne slam-tackled Lily unexpectedly from her seated position, and with a blood-curdling scream of shock from the younger girl, hurled the teenager into the water high over the heads of the three ten year olds. The whole motion seemed effortless. Lily found out first hand, like Jack had long ago, that Jeanne was much stronger than she appeared.
The whole gaggle of children came up sputtering and coughing, but laughed as hard as they could. Jack and Jeanne stood triumphantly on the rock ledge, cross-armed in confidence, leaning against each other's shoulders, and gave each other a very smug, satisfied look. They surveyed the damage in front of them.
Jeanne finally answered her husband's question loudly enough to cause an echo across the pond, "I decided, dear: it's play time!"
With that, the pair instantly leaped together into the water, causing a huge rolling wave and geyser to overtake their siblings, sending them into another coughing and flailing spell in the water. Once in the pond, the pair started dunking and splashing the younger children, who quickly regrouped, then gleefully attacked their married older sibs mercilessly.
It was a Clayton-Jacot water fight melee of truly epic proportions.
The parents were slack-jawed at the speed and efficiency of Jack and Jeanne's well-coordinated attack. The younger children were very accomplished in jungle fighting skills and yet they never saw the attack coming, and when it did, what had hit them. Jeanne and Jack had skills none of the parents had ever seen, and speculated that their oldest children would probably win a similar face-off against their parents. They were in perfect shape after a year's deep immersion in the jungle, two actually for Jack.
As the young couple protected each other's flanks as they would in any real attack in the jungle, he winked at his quick-thinking mate.
"Way to go, Mangani girl," Jack praised.
"Not so bad yourself, jungle boy," Jeanne grinned slyly.
"This is gonna be great!" Jeanne thought to herself, and plotted, "After we take them all down, then he's going to get his due."
Right when Jack had relaxed, right after they buried all four of the kids happily up to their necks in the beach sand, Jeanne turned on Jack. She did subdue him, to the astonishment once again of her husband. And all four parents.
Flat on his back, defeated, with her sitting his chest as so often he found himself in their one vs. one spars, he gave her a dismayed look and asked, "What gives, wife? Who's side are you on?"
"As always, jungle boy. My side," she smirked with a raised eyebrow, but leaned down and kissed him a little too deeply for family consumption.
All four buried kids instantly responded, "Ewww!" simultaneously, but inwardly loved what they saw in the affection between their oldest brother and sister. As did the parents.
Armand reflected to the other three parents, watching all of this happen since the first toss, "And that, my friends, is how Jeanne survived on the streets of three African cities for eight years," and with equal praise to his son-in-law, "And how Jack survived one year alone in the jungle and another year returning home with Jeanne."
Josephine knew what her husband meant, and saw his pride, soothing his left arm, which appeared to be aching again, "Armand, honey, you did get your warrior. It turns out she was a girl."
They gave each other a very satisfied kiss.
At that point the family battle became 'every man for themselves', and while the babies napped, the parents joined in the battle royale themselves.
After a very entertaining and long family feud, it was nearly sundown. They all lay together in a pile of gasping-for-breath bodies on the sandy side of the beach, all in total exhaustion, and very happy about their day. Even Armand had a great time.
Michelle summarized it perfectly, snuggled close beside her older sibling, in their first time natural hug, and kissed her cheek, "See, sister Jeanne? I told you it would be more fun here with you and Jack back."
…
Jack and Jeanne's bedtime in the wild with their families took a bit of adjustment for both sets of parents and the younger children. First, it was a real change to see the newlywed pair reclining for the night in their very own nest back with the family – the most graphic sign of a brand new family unit, separate and distinct from either family. Second, Jack and Jeanne didn't hold back their need to make love that night, inspired by being back at their first pond. They planned to be discreet, by confining their activities to very late at night when it was darkest and when their younger siblings were supposed to be asleep, to give them and the family a little bit of privacy even out in the open.
"This is our time, Jack," Jeanne caressed his face lovingly while Jack's hands wandered to the places they both wanted him to touch. He knew her body's needs so well now. She trembled when he caressed her there and she held her breath and closed her eyes in delight.
"Yes, back to where 'we' started," Jack reflected.
"I'll never forget your eyes that first time here when I left my uniform behind," she mused.
"I saw a natural vision that day," he answered fondly.
"Me too, dearest. Are you ready?" she asked anxiously.
"Am I ever," he agreed eagerly.
It was obvious he was, but reached for him there to get him even more excited, just the way he liked.
"Everyone is going to watch us, you know," she cautioned, just a little bit shy.
He assured her, "No they're not. They're all asleep and we made our nest a little further away. Besides it doesn't matter. Let them. They all know married life is beautiful in every part of it. Mom and Dad taught us kids that. And showed us how beautiful love is between them because they never hid it from us. I know yours did too. Now it's our turn to show them how beautiful it is."
His reassurances comforted her and her eyes gleamed for him, "Yes dear, of course. I will never stop wanting to be as close to you as often as I can. Not after being apart for so long."
Jack's love for Jeanne was powerful, "I always wanted you. Ever since we first swam here."
"I know… and now, dearest, you have me."
Buoyed by his support and affection, they entwined and coupled in a way they thought wouldn't attract much attention. They let the connection engulf them with each other's feelings.
Hearing a couple of not well-suppressed, overzealous giggles and sighs from the young couple, Jane noted to Tarzan, "I suppose this is what life was like while Daddy was adjusting to us being a new married couple in the jungle."
She looked over to her father and Kala curled up together in their own nearby nest, sleeping peacefully.
Tarzan responded, actually not paying any attention to the newlyweds, "I suppose. I never gave what your father was thinking much consideration. I was concentrating on you, and us."
She snickered a little, "Don't I know that, dear. No wonder we have five children."
Not trying to watch or listen to their affection, she reflected, "True, but dear, but aren't they sweet together? They deserve each other so much. She's so happy with our son after such a terrible life. And he's so good to her. Just like you are to me."
Two other sets of eyes were actually paying rapt attention to Jack and Jeanne in the dim moonlight, and they snickered. They were only feigning sleep to see what the newlyweds would do.
Jane scolded them in a whisper, "Paul and Elisabeth, stop staring at your brother and Jeanne. You know we give everyone a chance to have a little privacy - even out here."
Paul was fascinated, "But Mom and Dad, you never do it that way."
Elisabeth agreed, "Yeah, Mom. Why?"
"Your father can explain," she noted and winked at her husband. She suppressed the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Tarzan fumbled with what to say.
Jane knew she tossed that 'hardball' at Tarzan and was anxious to know how her husband would handle this 'life's lesson' question from their precocious twins who never missed a thing. Like Jack and Lily before them, the twins got the 'birds and bees chat' early in life frankly and candidly, but having their siblings become active with their spouses was something entirely new. In less than a year, Lily and Okpara would wed. Lily was already racked out for the night. Jack and Jeanne's discreet lovemaking underneath their bedcovers was already routine for Lily in the 'big kids' room.
Tarzan stuttered with an answer, not happy that Jane had tossed this issue his way, "I… ah, well, kids. It's like this. Jeanne's a French woman and was raised by those German kidnappers. Two of the criminals were married… aaaand…. well… they… umm… did things differently and sooo… Jeanne… uh… learned some things from the German couple because they… ahh… didn't care if Jeanne saw what they were doing. What's happening tonight with your brother and Jeanne is just… errr… another of many ways of expressing how much Jack and Jeanne love each other."
"OK, Dad, we get it now. They really look happy together. Thanks," Paul replied, completely satisfied with the answer that there were many ways for married couples to make love. He rolled over, and went to sleep almost immediately followed by his sister.
That was all the explanation the ten year olds needed. Tarzan breathed a sigh of relief. Jane smiled and patted her husband on the head like an obedient puppy, and praised, "Good job, dear."
Paul put his arm around Elisabeth's waist, the way the twins liked to sleep cuddled together. Like many sets of twins, they were inseparable. But Paul dreamt of holding Michelle this way. He wanted to talk to his parents if she could join their nest a couple of times this trip out, with total parental supervision of their strong desire to cuddle.
Tarzan felt that secret whisper tickle in his ear from his mate, "I'm just glad you didn't say: 'Well kids, we don't do it that way anymore'."
They giggled, gave each other a knowing grin, cuddled and started to sleep, but Tarzan was curious.
He asked, "Well, Jane, can we?"
"Yes dear. The next time we are completely alone."
"What about now? The kids are asleep. Josephine and Armand already had their fun in the pond earlier today. Do you want to be 'one time behind them' all the rest of our lives?" he grinned.
She rolled her eyes at her husband, but she wanted the intimacy too, "You incorrigible ape man. OK, but not that way. This way!"
It was their time-honored way they could still enjoy each other while completely surrounded by sleeping children without waking them. It was subtle and quiet but still very physically satisfying to them. Which was why Archimedes often joked that was the reason they were surrounded by so many children.
Not aware in the slightest of Tarzan and Jane's own coupling, Jack and Jeanne were very hungry for each other, peaked and then cuddled afterward, laughed softly, spooned like they always did, and went right to sleep after a quite thankful prayer and a whispered self-esteem litany. They had fulfilled another longed-for moment: making love at their childhood pond.
The twins were not the only family members interesting in Jack and Jeanne's beautiful, earnest lovemaking tonight.
Nearby in their nest, Josephine had actually observed their activity in more detail, from the standpoint of a mother worried for her daughter, but then snuggled into Armand's undamaged arm hold on her. He was already snoring. She was so pleased for her daughter and son-in-law and sighed with relief at what she saw. When they first arrived she was frankly very concerned that someone as big as Jack might inadvertently hurt Jeanne. After this night she wouldn't dwell on Jeanne's and Jack's intimacy, but her protective instincts compelled her to make sure everything was all right between them. She saw how intense they were, but more importantly, she could see the absolute, urgent delight on her daughter's face in Jack's embrace, and all her worries went away. Her own delight in Armand's arms earlier that day in the pond was still fresh on her mind and felt herself blush.
Michelle was also awake, and had a lot of innocent questions for her mother like the twins did, fascinated by her sister's love play with Jack, and her mother whispered answers as best she could. Whenever they were in the jungle, Michelle had seen her parents enjoy themselves, and that made her happy to know how loving and committed they were to each other. Having her long-missing sister being married and making love with Jack was completely new for her, but that all seemed so wonderful and right to her too. 'Birds and the bees talks' from her parents were one thing, but it was all so clinical until she saw two of the people she loved the most actually doing it together.
Earlier in the day, Jeanne had a candid sister-to-sister chat with Michelle and also with her mother. The women had talked about what would likely happen tonight, and Jeanne assured her it was all right to watch if she wanted, so Michelle wouldn't be shocked or embarrassed, and would understand how fulfilling her relations with Jack were. It pleased Michelle that her sister was so happy with Jack. She loved Jack even more as a brother because he was so gentle with her sister, even in the intensity of their lovemaking. Jeanne's face completely glowed being held in his arms. Michelle glanced over to Paul, wondering about their own future, saw him sleeping peacefully and wished that arm around his sister was around her instead. She was working up enough nerve to ask both parents if Paul could cross-nest with them this time out in the jungle. She knew that Jack and Jeanne were trusted to be alone together in the jungle when they were only eight or nine, so why couldn't they at ten.
Soon the jungle was silent with the sounds of sleeping, contented bodies.
…
The next few days the families gave the young couple plenty of space and time to be alone, and while they loved being back with the family with all the play time and socialization. They did their share of family chores for foot gathering and clean up. In addition to being at the pond, they walked hand-in-hand on nearby jungle trails, swung on vines, talked to all the animals she loved and missed. The hidden cove was as beautiful as in their childhood, and they could completely let go in each other's arms in the privacy there.
…
But as joyful as playing and relaxing in the jungle was, after several days, it was time for some very serious discussions with their parents. They had the right to know exactly what happened.
After breakfast and early morning chores were finished, the parents gathered around their eldest children. Josephine and Jeanne worked together to help Armand sit next to their daughter. Jeanne kissed her dad. The ten year old trio could take care of themselves, but Lily took over responsibility for the little ones again, for however long this would take except for time needed to nurse the boys.
Lily knew this was the beginning of the much-needed 'married couple time' for Jeanne and Jack with their parents, all dangling their feet together in the cool pond while sitting on the comfortable rocky ledge. The cool clear water was such a relief around a particularly refreshing spring-fed part of the pool.
Armand and Josephine were still astounded at how beautiful their oldest daughter had become, seeing her uncovered as an adult for the first time this journey, and after two years away, how Jack had matured and grown even more. Seated next to his father, it was very evident Jack was taller and more muscular than Tarzan now, and he gave Jack a big hug around his broad shoulders. Jeanne looked gorgeous in her silver wire rim glasses, wearing nothing else but her wedding and engagement rings and her 'going steady bracelet' she'd never take off either. When Lily had asked why a few days ago, Jeanne noted that married people are still 'going steady' – just steady for life. The four parents noticed Jack's adoring eyes on her constantly and the demure way she made eye contact with him, blushing just a little each time their eyes met. Every moment she felt loved and needed by him. They were so cute together.
The young couple was flanked by her parents on one side and his parents on the other and Jack very close beside her. When they started their journey from the treehouse to the pond, and it was the first time Jeanne had seen her father naturally since they'd been in Abassi's long house, and it was shocking for her to see her father so damaged, but she and her mother helped him get around as best he could. She took a special joy in being her father's missing leg as they walked arm in arm during their arrival here and enjoyed their private, tender father/daughter chat.
Now, they all sat along the intimately close family semicircle shape of the rock.
Jeanne looked at Jack and her parents and in-laws fondly, squeezed her husband's hand, and choked, "I'm home, Jack. With all of you."
He said fondly, "Yes you are," and they embraced.
Jane and Josephine fought back tears witnessing this tender moment. Jeanne dreamed of a scene like this since the day she was abducted, and she asked, admiring her parent's still young looks, despite the handicaps of her father, "Mama and Papa, I'm glad you like living as Mangani."
Josephine didn't hesitate."This took some getting used to but we love it now, especially being with Jack's family. They made it easy to like. We understand why you loved this lifestyle with Jack from the start. It's perfect for living in Africa. It's really the only way to be comfortable. Your Nigerian and Mangani friends are very smart. The French Way is not always the best way."
That was a relief to Jeanne to hear her say that. Her mother had been so strict and stuffy when she was a young girl, and quick to judge and criticize and correct if wasn't according to 'the French way'. Jeanne knew her mother had changed while they were Nigeria, but she seemed even more relaxed and affectionate than before. She'd already seen a lot of kissing between her mother and father as well as more than one spontaneous lovemaking session over the past few days. She mused that Etienne might not be the last Jacot child in the family if they kept that up. The pleasant thought of being pregnant together with her mother passed her mind.
"Oh Mama, I can't believe we're all here together safe and sound. Sometimes I never thought it would happen," gushed a highly emotional Jeanne.
All of them hugged her, and cried happy tears together.
She added, "Jack and I have to tell you everything."
"Oh my… honey, you don't have to," her mother said, "Especially if it hurts too much. Maybe it's too soon?"
Jeanne was insistent, "We do. You all have to know. It'll hurt more if we keep it all inside longer. Jack taught me that a long time ago. And you'll always wonder what actually happened. You have to know, because sometimes I still have emotional trouble, and you have to know why. There is unfinished business we left behind in eastern Africa that needs resolution. We want to share what we need to do. Without the whole story you won't know why."
"Oh?" asked Tarzan, but didn't inquire further yet.
Hours were spent lakeside and fireside well into the evenings for several days. The six of them went together on a eight year journey of Jeanne's tragic kidnapping, Jeanne's highs and lows with the kidnappers from the fateful day until its conclusion, and Jack's two year trip through the central and eastern African jungles and the year of travel back with Jeanne. They left nothing out, and the parents listened with complete attention to every word Jeanne and Jack said - from Kamina to Garua, to Douala, to Walvis Bay, to the oceans off the coast of Mozambique, to Dar es Salam, to getting married, to the Eastern Mangani troop of Akut, and the Land of the Leopards. Because of the severity of some of her situations with her kidnappers and their life in the jungle, some areas got more attention than others.
Like she had told Mother Jane, Jeanne first reassured her parents, "Thanks to Jack, I kept my honor until our wedding night, even though because of all those bad years - I'm sorry Mama and Papa - there were several times before we were married I wanted to be with him sooner. But Jack kept us true to our Christian beliefs."
"And the times I was weak, she was strong for us," Jack assured the parents, who were particularly pleased to hear that.
She squeezed Jack, and gave him very happy smile and a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you Jack. You promised us that," added Armand.
Their parents went on the staggering emotional journey with them. They felt Jeanne's and Jack's anger and sadness and awe and anguish and despair and betrayal and triumph and hope and pity and all the simple joys of reunion and dreams and broken dreams and heartache that followed all the highs and lows for both children. They felt the sadness of a brief reunion at 13 only to have it ripped away again for another five years. They felt their children's joy at first, followed by the turmoil of the reunited pair, sometimes fighting and struggling on a daily basis, but always committed to reconciling two entirely different lifestyles and habits that came from being separated for almost too long. Jack and Jeanne never let go of each other's hands the entire testimony. Sometimes their grip was so strong, their knuckles were white with relived pain and fears.
The parents were quite troubled with her early years as a young girl kidnap victim and zeal with which the kidnappers tried to corrupt her, keeping her constantly bound and chained and manipulated by the sexual immorality of Margrite and Karl-Heinz and surliness of Gunter. They were upset hearing how she was forced into begging, pickpocketing, stealing, and all the other crimes committed by homeless children on the streets. They especially abhorred Jeanne being forced to live like a boy, shorn of her hair, and how she became a vicious, tough, knife-wielding street fighter, though those skills ultimately helped protect her from worse harm as a teen, and gave her jungle fighting skills she used now.
They were shocked about her descriptions of time she forgot herself while making millions of Deutschmarks in illicit deals, acquiring a taste for wine and smoking, becoming nearly completely the Meriem persona while being tutored and educated as Jaeger's mentee, criminal bookie, and how his enticements and gifts nearly made her his permanent bed partner. They were grateful she kept her wits and virtue, and finally remembered who she really loved, when Jack appeared in Walvis Bay. Jack and Jeanne were not ready to talk about the connection or the vision that saved her at this point.
The only comfort the parents took was her nearly two years with the Russian fishing family, under Captain Dmitri's protection. Despite acquiring their extreme drinking, smoking, and cursing vices, the parents were grateful that she had become close to the fisherman's family who otherwise tried to be good Christians. While still a kidnap victim, the Captain suppressed a lot of worse behavior.
Being forced to be in the burlesque and becoming the top stripper in Dar es Salaam due to a huge bribe was very disturbing to them, but not compared to the most traumatic situation of all.
The greatest heartache to the parents was Jeanne's confession about her last day in Dar es Salaam.
Jeanne recounted the terrible events, "I'm so ashamed. I was going to sell my body, Mama. I was really going to, so I could pay off my ransom and buy my freedom. I couldn't resist having 2 million Pounds for just one time. One night. I was so close to losing everything I had left of my morals to save myself. But God helped me say 'no'. The man was so angry he tried to strangle me to death, but Margrite shot and wounded him just before I got taken to the slave market. It was awful Mama and Papa. I was stripped and roped and chained and treated like an animal to be butchered. It was the worst time of my life. But while I was being sold, God put Jack right there in the slave market to buy me and save me. Just in time. I'd be a prostitute today if he hadn't won me…"
She looked at Jack for strength, but couldn't hold the tears back any longer. She couldn't be brave enough to just talk about it. Not yet. She buried her face in Jack's chest, and he protected her.
"Oh you poor dear soul," her mother and Jane sobbed and comforted her.
They all cried deeply at that terrible situation. They didn't mention Farnsworth by name yet. It was too soon to mention that. Their parents were amazed how she endured her total degradation as a human being at the slave market, as much as Jack's intense bidding battle against the brothel owner to win her, and their dramatic escape by starting the final riot. The newspaper front page picture was only the exclamation point of the most terrible 24 hours of their lives, with even more terrible consequences for Jeanne if it hadn't occurred exactly as it did.
The adults literally cheered when Jack described the grisly end of Karl-Heinz and Gunter, despite all being Christians. There was little forgiveness in them for the kidnapper and his lecherous sidekick. They all accepted the fact that Jack had willfully killed Jeanne's tormentors and captors. It was justified.
Jeanne hugged her husband tight, and simply said, "I guess it would be trite to say Jack was 'my hero', but he was…"
They were all emotionally drained at the end of Jeanne's story, but braced themselves for Jack's odyssey.
Jack's final rescue of his wife was equally hard for the parents to experience. He had to start with the story of his affair with Eleanor, a secret that only the Clayton's knew until now.
The Jacot's were shocked and upset at Jack for his 16th summer affair with Eleanor, betraying Jeanne, and they were distressed with Tarzan and Jane for holding this terrible secret back, but they just listened to the tragic story. Jeanne made it very clear how broken-hearted she was and how hard forgiveness came. But she emphasized that forgiveness and reconciliation did come.
Forgiveness came easier from the Jacot's when everyone was astounded by Jack's description of Eleanor's multiple beyond-the-grave interventions for the couple, especially the appearances of Eleanor and their daughter Meri as human spirits as well as wisps. Once the Jacot's got over their shock and anger, both mothers cried at the sadness of this unfortunate young woman's story and Jack's tender care of her in her last days. Despite the initial but damage to Jack and Jeanne's relationship, the parents actually accepted and empathized what happened between Jack and Eleanor. Josephine concluded that it had been God's will to use kind and gentle Jack to make Eleanor's last days comfortable and make her life worth living. Much of the story was new to Tarzan and Jane because several of the mystical appearances of Eleanor happened while Jack and Jeanne were together in the jungle.
Tarzan and Jane apologized to their friends for keeping this long terrible secret, who did understand that this story could only be told with all of them together.
Jeanne assured everyone, "It's OK now. I did forgive Jack and I know I love him more because he was so honest with me about Eleanor, and because Eleanor visited me too and begged me to forgive him. Mama and Papa – please, please, please forgive Jack this one mistake. I forgave him. I did so many more terrible things as Meriem. You must never harbor ill thoughts about Jack because of his affair with Eleanor. I truly believe God meant for it to happen."
Jeanne was compelling, and they tearfully agreed to accept their daughter's pleas. Jack was such a fine young man that they always thought of him as infallible. Which is why it hurt so much to find out he was just as human as the rest of them. Jeanne squeezed Jack's hands tighter, exchanging loving looks that relieved the parents. They could see the forgiveness long ago given and accepted between them about Eleanor.
Jack added, "My experience with Eleanor made Jeanne and me both stronger and more committed to our lifetime together. It showed us how precious – and fragile - our relationship really is, and that we must always protect what she and I have."
What Jack said was good advice for all three marriages.
Jack summoned Grandmother Kala to hear the next important part of the story. Jack began after the plane crash at Garua, and explained why it had taken nearly a year to make the journey to Dar es Salaam. He described his encounters with many new animals, and his bloody fight with Sabat to defend his adopted leopard family. Tarzan was shocked about that, that it was possible and it affected Kala as well. They were amazed at Jack befriending the widowed leopardess and her brood, then becoming her surrogate mate and adopted father to the cubs, especially when there was always natural enmity between leopards and apes, to include humans.
Kala paid rapt attention to Jack's description of his difficult first meeting with Akut and the Eastern Mangani, and their unusual alliance between Akut and the leopardess to help him save Jeanne. Jack relived the sadness and conveyed his disappointment dealing with his Great Uncle Akut, thinking there was new kinship and friendship to be achieved with Akut, only to be misled and betrayed by the great ape and his intransigent polygamous ways. The families were truly angered that Akut would abandon his vow of 'family first' to attack his grandnephew Jack and Jeanne, threatening to kill Jack and wantonly force Jeanne to be his mate. Kala was utterly ashamed of her brother's detestable behavior, against every beliefs apes held precious. Both sets of parents and Kala were very proud of Jack for saving the Eastern Mangani from their tyrannical leader and thoroughly defeating Akut. Kala was especially saddened that her brother did not change his ways, but was very grateful to Jack for sparing Akut because he was family, and for helping the Mangani mates torn apart by his ways.
Jack comforted his aging grandmother, sharing a hug, "You did the right thing, my dear grandson. I am so very proud of you. You righted the wrongs my brother forced on those dear, sweet gorillas so long ago. And you disgraced his wrongdoing in front of his family as punishment. I am glad he lost everything and hope that he and his first mate and current family know the right way to live as Mangani."
After that tense discussion, the storytelling was nearly complete. Jack didn't need to say much about the slave market as they had already discussed that, but Jeanne made him describe their wonderful marriage ceremony and the altar they made. The two mothers were in happy tears about that.
Pressed closely against Jack's side and holding both hands, Jeanne started to summarize the story, "My life has been a life of constant horror and nightmares, but I was saved by this man right here that I married. It took a lot of miracles, and prayers, but finding and forgiving each other was what God ultimately wanted for me and for him since we were children."
Josephine was amazed at the inner strength of her daughter, but she asked the hard question, "Honey, how did you overcome this monumental challenge to still be 'Jeanne' when the kidnappers threatened you all the time to be what you are not - to be 'Meriem'? You didn't have any good adult guidance, had endless pressure, and constant threats against you."
Jack and Jeanne were at a nexus. He asked her, "Should we tell them?"
"They have to know. Because we still have that blessing," Jeanne insisted.
All four parents were very anxious to know what they were talking about. They were worried something else bad happened.
Jack sighed and looked directly at the parents, "Please promise us you won't think we're insane if we tell you the miracle we've experienced ever since we were separated."
Tarzan and Jane knew what was about to be said, because Jack told them about the one encounter.
"Of course, children," Josephine promised, but wasn't sure what she was promising.
Jeanne explained, "Like you said, Mama. I was a lost little 9 or 10 year old girl. I had nothing and no one to go on for guidance and strength. My kidnappers were truly godless. My faith alone and prayer was not strong enough in me, even though it should have been. God gave us a gift, a miracle, something that kept us strong in the face of everything and kept our love alive and strong over all eight years. Jack and I call it 'the connection'."
"What is that dear?" her mother asked with great curiosity.
They described their 'connection'. Tarzan and Jane had known a little about it for a long time because of the premonition to Jack about Jeanne being at Walvis Bay, but not the true extent of what the connection was, and how many times it saved them from tragic consequences, including Jeanne preventing Jack from jumping off the cliff. It stunned Josephine and Armand. But they all accepted the connection as a true miracle, and praised God for it and what it did for the young couple over the years.
Josephine tried to internalize what Jeanne and Jack had described, "Now I… I think I really, truly understand how miraculous your love is, and how you never really turned bad, Jeanne. This 'connection' miracle allowed you and Jack to really never be separated. God let you draw on each other for strength as well as Him just when you needed it most."
Jeanne supported her, "Exactly, Mama. We were separated plenty. Most of the time we wouldn't connect for months, but it almost always was there at the worst times. And even a few fun, tender times that lifted us up. The connection never lasted long, and would sometimes end at the most aggravating moments when we wanted each other longer, but it was there and we felt each other. And that was enough."
Jack noted, "Now we can connect pretty much whenever we concentrate on it. I could feel Jeanne's emotions right now if I just concentrated harder, and if she wanted to let me sense her. It's stronger when we touch each other."
Jack didn't mention that the connection worked phenomenally well when they made love to each other, including just the other night.
Jeanne added, "We can't ever read our thoughts in a connection. It's just a swirl of emotions and feelings we sense and sometimes there are visions and words that come through to infer messages from. Only once were we in very detailed thought and visual contact, just when we needed it most to pull me back to Jack's love, when I almost strayed the furthest. With Jaeger. The vision - as we call it - carried us for years, until our wedding day."
Jane was shocked, but it confirmed her worst fears about Jaeger's affect on Jeanne as a young teen. The parents knew enough to not ask any more details.
What Jeanne did and how she handled every terrible thing in her life often completely alone was as inspiring a story as her mother and father had ever heard, as was Jack's rescue and their time of reconciliation and forgiveness. Given everything that happened, it was truly a miracle she was sitting here with her childhood lover actually telling this story. And how the connection truly helped them survive it all.
What they had was true love, a true love aided and saved by a miracle from God and his messenger Eleanor. It was an incredible story to the four parents.
"God blessed you both, children, and he kept you together despite everything," Armand stated.
Jeanne answered her father, "He did. Beyond all measure, Papa."
Jack concluded, "But now it's all said and done, and it all belongs to the past. Everything. We never have to talk about the horror again."
They all embraced and sat back, emotionally drained.
Tarzan remembered their comment about unfinished business in the east, "So what do we do about all this that you have told us?"
Jack said directly with a broad smile, "After we renew our vows at Greystoke, we're all – both families - going on an African cruise on the Destiny, with some very specific places we need to go."
"Tell us more, dear ones," Jane encouraged.
…
What Jack and Jeanne explained was an awesome plan, and would indeed bring closure to some very important things.
"We start as soon as we get back," Tarzan promised, and Armand agreed, as did the mothers. It was brilliant.
"Now!" came an insistent youthful shout from behind them.
Three very deeply tanned bare pre-teen bottoms and mass of six pairs of well-toned, athletic legs and arms – one set much darker than the others - flashed them as they soared overhead and landed in the water right in front of the adults, creating a huge wave and splash that completely drenched all the adults in their placid spring pool.
Josephine could only shriek just before the fountain of water engulfed them all.
The kids all came up and guffawed with their total surprise of the adults.
Wiping his soaked and dripping dreads out of his eyes, Jack, with a grin, threatened the kids in a big powerful deep voice dripping with cackling fake evil, "You will all live to regret this. For I am Korak the Killer…"
All of the younger kids shrieked with glee, tried to escape, but were grabbed and tossed happily by one adult as they leaped into the pond with them. They'd all wanted a reprise of the great water fight of a few days ago. It was perfect timing. They got that battle in spades, with all the adults, even Armand, chasing, dunking, tossing, and splashing that the kids and ultimately each other. They didn't stop until dinner. Lily sat most of this one out, and kept a watchful eye on the toddlers who'd rather play in the sandy beach. But she wasn't paying attention to what was happening behind her back. Jack and Jeanne ganged up together and dragged Lily kicking and screaming into the water, while Jane and Josephine took over, watched and nursed their babies. Lily got some truly special time with her adult siblings.
That night after dinner, confidently, Paul stood before all four parents and Jack and Jeanne, with Michelle clinging to his arm lovingly, and respectfully asked that they be allowed to nest together, closely supervised in their parents' nests. There was resistance from the fathers at first, until Josephine reminded them all, the one who was always most strict, "When they were only nine, we all let Jack and Jeanne sleep next each other in Abassi's long house, and while we supervised them, we never gave it a second thought that it wasn't the right thing to let them do, because they knew the right thing to do. It wasn't about sex then because they were too young, but it was about respecting each other, just as we respect each other's bodies when we groom."
Jack and Jeanne were hopeful for Michelle and Paul, but stayed out of what was a parental decision.
Josephine was right, the other three parents concluded, and gave their very strict permission to the pair cross-nesting, especially defining how much kissing and hugging was allowed. Just like they did with Jack and Jeanne. This was little different than the Mangani ape families allowed with promised mates from other families in the troop.
"They can nest with us also, since we did this too," Jeanne offered cheerfully. Everyone thought that was sweet.
And that very night, Michelle and Paul did nest with Jack and Jeanne first and snuggled right next to the newlyweds. Both 18 year olds put their arms around them affectionately. The younger pair would keep the smiles on their faces all night.
Josephine and Armand observed Michelle and Paul, feeling a little sad, like another 'fledgling' had left their 'nest' and whispered, "And so it begins again, honey, first you and me, then Jack and Jeanne, and now Michelle and Paul."
In the Clayton nest, Jane noted how sweet and happy the younger pair looked with their big brother and sister, but she was sensitive to Elisabeth, who had never slept alone without her twin brother beside her or holding her. She looked a bit melancholy, so Jane asked, "Are you all right, dear?"
Elisabeth sighed, "I'll be all right Mom. I'm a little sad, but I'm really happy for them. I'm his sister, not his girlfriend, Mom. That's where he belongs."
"But so soon to be apart from you, dear?" Jane fretted.
Elisabeth tried to explain it so she wouldn't cry, "I know for now it's just a 'special thing' you'll let them do only when we're out here. I know my brother. Michelle is a 'keeper' for him. I love her too, Mom, like a twin sister. Paul and I be close until they marry. Just like Lily and Jack always were. And then we'll always be brother and sister no matter how far away we are."
Her parents were amazed at Elisabeth's calmness and maturity on this. But Jane could still see the sadness in her face. Elisabeth and Paul had not really ever been separated since birth, and they also shared their mother's womb.
Jane soothed her and said softly, "Go join them, dear."
Her face lit up in happiness. Michelle jumped up, went over to Jack and Jeanne, and quipped, "I hear there are rooms to rent over here with a better view of the pond."
"Of course, sis, but you have to share the beds here," Jack smiled warmly. They laughed
Paul smiled at his twin sister, and apologized, "I never meant to leave you all alone."
"It's all right dear brother. You and Michelle need your time. I have to learn to share you with her now."
Paul opened up his embrace of Michelle to include his sister. Michelle beamed snuggling with her other best friend.
The two girls were very happy to be hugging each other, being such good friends themselves, and both loved being held by Paul.
Once they were settled in, Jack noted, saying overly loud, "There's room for one more."
Jeanne knew what he had in mind, and just smiled.
Hearing that, Lily perked up and asked, "Uh… Mom?"
Adjusting to not snuggling with Jack in the nest as she'd always done with him was hard on her too, but being more mature, she just kept her feelings to herself.
"Go to them," Jane simply said giving Lily a kiss goodnight.
Lily kidded them as she was on all fours like any female Mangani, politely outside the ring of the nest until invited in as was gorilla etiquette, "Mom and Dad's nest has a lump in it. I hear you have better grass here, 'big bruver'."
"You're in luck, Lily. There's a really soft spot over hear next to me, little sister," Jack played along.
Jack and Jeanne's small nest for two now was full of kinfolk and in-law siblings all snuggled close together. Jack and Jeanne were ecstatic. The babies stayed with their mothers.
"Ready for that big family yet, dear?" he snuggled tighter to Jeanne, whispering in her ear. He had one arm around her and the other around a very contented Lily. She loved being against Jack's furry warm body once again, and loved the feeling of being next to Jeanne too.
"You know the answer to that sweetheart – anytime God is ready for us to have one."
Tears slipped from both mothers' eyes as they looked happily at their children all sleeping together with their oldest, and then looked at each other, reaching out to hold hands as friends across their nests.
"We did good, my friend," Jane reflected to Josephine.
"Yeah. We did. Our children are all amazing."
They fell asleep themselves, quite contended.
…
After breakfast the next morning, the families were about to go into an all-out water assault against each other again, when 'the others' arrived.
"Mom, they're here," announced Lily, seeing and hearing them first. Lily's jungle senses were superior to her parents' and to Jack's.
She watched their nests and pond be 'invaded' by all manner of animal species: Terk's family and the entirety of the Mangani West troop, Tantor's family, several generations of Naima's grown up kits, Noni's flock and the multitude of nestlings she hatched over the years, and many others. The Clayton's and Jacot's were surrounded by a multitude of their animal friends of all species. They were all here for Jeanne and Jack, for their time of joining and for her to become truly 'of the jungle'. There were hundreds of animals there at the pond to be with the 'naked apes' in celebration. There were as many species around the pond as in the grim days of the Animal Council years ago.
"Jack, I'm so excited. Let's go greet them," and she swiftly grabbed his hand, kissed him, and then they romped forward knuckling walking like any gorilla pair. Jeanne and Jack welcomed everyone and the animals loved the two of them as adults.
A little later, amidst Jack and Jeanne socializing with all the animal species, the Lord of the Jungle sighed and asked his son and daughter-in-law, a little embarrassed, knowing that as the Silverback of the Mangani, he would have to preside over this mating ceremony for his own children, "You know what happens next, right?"
"Yes. Dad C. We understand, and we're ready. We've been waiting for this moment a very long time," Jeanne said confidently and proudly.
She took Jack by the hand and started the climb to the cliffs above.
Tarzan couldn't be more pleased that not only his children but their spouses or intended spouses were embracing the twin lifestyles of civilization and Mangani to be 'of the jungle'. His knew his ways would survive and be passed to another generation and more.
Only a few minutes later, Jack and Jeanne very publicly joined together in the true Mangani way at the high point of rocks above the pond so all could see and celebrate with them, the way so many other species did, to prove to all their commitment as mates. The act of public mating made them feel incredibly good, as did all their animal family and friends and their own family who witnessed the joining. It was truly a joyous time for everyone, and they let their emotions and feelings show and be heard. The intimacy of this moment was the antithesis of what they experienced with Akut. This was about their oneness as mates and being one with the jungle with all their friends.
At the peak of their ecstasy, Jack let loose a passionate jungle call, to which all the dozens of animal witnesses around them responded, along with thousands more across the Land of the Mangani with happy hoots, growls and roars, grunts and calls and chirps. To Jack's delightful surprise, from her all fours position, Jeanne threw back her head and called out her own beautiful, melodious call with her feminine tones in as close harmony with Jack's call as their bodies were. It was one glorious moment, and the families were open-mouthed in awe of their two oldest children and siblings.
"I didn't know you could do that, cherie," Jack whispered incredulously to his beloved, in between waves of ecstasy still racking through him, and knew the same was true for her, feeling the effects of the connection surge between them.
She gasped with the same combined feelings of both their emotions, "I… I didn't know either, dearest."
They separated to the cacophony of the animals' joyous sounds honoring their mating, and both showed everyone that was no question from the 'proof' that they were mates. Jack took her gently by the hand, and they stood and embraced and kissed deeply, showing their dual heritage as human and ape.
The four parents were pleasantly shocked, especially the mothers, as Jane spoke for all of them, "Tarzan, we're looking at the future of the Mangani up there."
He nodded in agreement, but added, "We're looking at the future of the entire jungle up there, dear."
Their human and animal families were not the only ones amazed and pleased for Jack and Jeanne's special moment. Further out in the jungle, hidden in the trees, were the Mangani East mates that Jeanne had befriended. They had secretly followed the pair all the way home, and watched in awe of the ceremony for the mates.
The female gushed, "It's true, beloved. Look at Korak and Jeanne. It's so wonderful. Look at all the animals around them. They all love the naked apes."
"Korak is truly the One foretold, dearest. Come, we have to go home and tell the others and the leopardess."
The gorilla mates disappeared as quietly as they had come toward their far away home in the east.
Jack and Jeanne were such an inspiration to the others because their incredible emotional joining, by the end of the night, every mated pair was inspired to couple themselves, and for those who weren't yet mates, they longed for the day when they could be mates.
Both animal and human.