Transition Plan Chapter 120 - Searching for Jeanne Part 38
In contrast to the noises of the family in adjoining rooms getting ready for the day, it was quiet in the Master Bedroom, quite different from the mayhem of the night before. Jeanne was still happily wrapped up with her husband, awoke, carefully extricated herself from him without disturbing him, and went into the bathroom.
Seeing herself nude in the mirror, she was a little startled at how wild she looked, with her hair totally messed up, smeared makeup, and below her waist it was obvious that she had experienced multiple lovemaking sessions with her husband. She would be quite happy if one of Jack's 'little guys' - as she like to joke about - inside of her was making her pregnant and Jack was just fine with that too. She smiled at how tireless he was in satisfying her as much as she did him.
It had been a truly remarkable night.
"I danced for him," she thought in great satisfaction, and it led to one of the happiest nights together they ever had in their still-new marriage.
She looked back into the bedroom where Jack was sprawled on his back naked in the bed with his legs and arms all about. It looked like a hurricane had hit the bedroom. The covers and pillows were mostly not on the bed. The whole area around the bed looked like there had been a war waged. At the height of their pillow fight after their first lovemaking, Jeanne had worn him out completely in that unexpected second encounter. They were especially exhausted as a result of their special 'dessert' that he surprised her with, having a 'second wind' after the delicious catered dinner they had eaten to finish their special night. They were both worried that surprised shriek he caused in her would have the hotel management knock on the door to tell them to 'cool it down'.
One pillow had burst and feathers were everywhere. Every article of clothing had become a weapon. Parts of her burlesque outfit were mixed up with the pieces of the bed and his tux. He had her hose over a leg and a glove adorned his foot. The removable brassiere of her burlesque costume was draped over his forehead, and he wore one of her stiletto high heels on one of his hands like a puppet. Jeanne realized she was still wearing Jack's bow tie. And nothing else. She blushed as she removed it.
This was not much different that a scene much like this in the Mangani troop family nest months before they'd left for the cruise, only then he was covered in flowers and weeds and grass, a snapped vine, and a couple of broken coconuts adorning strategic places on both of their bodies. The pair was often very physical and played rough games as a part of their daily relationship since they met at age 8, and especially now as adults as a part of their intimacy.
"He put up a good fight but I got my man! I'm the best 'street rat pillow fighter' in all of Dar es Salaam," Jeanne joked proudly to herself.
Jack stirred, felt around the bed for his missing partner and asked, "Jeanne dear, where are you?"
"The bathroom, Jack. Everyone else is getting ready for the day. We need to too. Come here."
Jack came up and groggily leaned against the doorway, and yawned, "So Mangani woman, you gonna hog the bathroom all morning?"
Jeanne laughed though, seeing that he was covered everywhere in lipstick kisses from her affections last night in addition to the results of their lovemaking. Jack wondered why Jeanne laughed until he looked in the mirror and finally saw the extensiveness of Jeanne's handiwork, which he had encouraged, because it gave him the excuse to do the same to her.
"Jeanne… uh… sorry… I didn't realize… " he said.
Jeanne ignored his weak protestation, pressed against him tightly, stole a very impassioned kiss, and cooed, "Good morning dear husband."
But she pulled back quickly, "Ewww. We're still all sweaty and sticky. We need a shower. And you better hurry, husband. In twenty minutes we have to be at breakfast."
"You ready now?" he asked suggestively. She knew what he wanted. The behavior of last night wasn't enough to satisfy either of them, but they heard the family come home.
She smiled acknowledging his request, "Naw. Not yet. Gotta brush all these snarls out. Get started."
While Jeanne worked at the mirror, Jack turned on the water, and popped into the shower behind her.
He started to wash, but Jeanne couldn't concentrate on trying to unravel and brush out her hair from the night before, and gave him a longing look. She stopped what she was doing to admire him in the clear glass shower behind her in the mirror.
"Go to him," she noted to herself, "You need him right now..."
While his back was turned for a moment, Jeanne sneaked into the shower and cuddled him from behind.
"J'ai une surprise pour vous, cheri," Jeanne whispered affectionately, wrapping her arms around his lower midsection, and her hands descended lower, giving him the attention she knew he wanted.
Her early entry in the shower pleased him greatly. Combined showering and intimacy had always been a favorite activity together, and had enjoyed that often in their bathroom at the Castle, but this 'morning after' surprise was very special. This was just like any other encounter they enjoyed in the jungle's many soothing waterfalls or in the rain or in a simple quiet moment hidden against a mossy tree in the Greystoke estate forests, or even the few times he just needed her 'right here, right now' standing surrounded by the jungle beauty during their romantic walks. Jack turned to face Jeanne and hugged her tightly. Silently, one of Jeanne's legs went around his backside and as soon as they were joined, her other leg wrapped around his other side, and Jack effortlessly supported her in their lovers' ballet.
"Hi there..." she cooed at him and he pressed his lips to hers.
Steam fogged the clear glass – as much from them as from the hot water - in their early morning union.
After they enjoyed their intimacy in the shower, finally did get around to washing together, and toweled each other off. Jack and Jeanne were well into their usual routine of putting body powder on her when a knock came at the bathroom door.
"Jeanne, honey? Jack?"
"Yes, Mama?" she replied but her eyes never left Jack's eyes and hands powdering her, and thought, "Goodness, how he pampers me!"
"The others have gone down for breakfast already. Better hurry."
"We will Mama."
She let them finish and waited until they emerged dressed and ready for the day.
Josephine greeted them, "Did you have a nice night? How was everything?"
She gave her mother a dreamy look, "Perfect, Mama. Thank you all for making our evening just right by letting us be all alone. I feel much better that I got to dance just for Jack."
Josephine smiled at that, and thought, "Mission accomplished."
Jack added, "It was a great surprise, Mom J. She's so talented."
He didn't say specifically what she was talented at, but Jeanne understood, blushed, and gave him a look, and he winked back at her, which unexpectedly raised her goosebumps.
Fortunately Josephine assumed Jack only meant dancing, "Well it was all Lily's idea when she saw Jeanne's dance costume. I think we all knew if Jeanne could dance for you alone, it would make her feel better about everything that happened."
Jeanne agreed, "It did, Mama. Thank you. You all were right about that. Especially because I had everyone's support that it would be good to do that."
Josephine was very happy for her daughter. Daily they all could see the continuous return to her being normal again, especially bouncing back quickly from the recent attack by Farnsworth. "You're welcome, honey. Ready to go eat?"
Jeanne reminded her mother, "Yes, but right afterwards, you all go ahead without us for the day. I have one more person to see with Jack."
"I know dear. Be careful. And honey?"
"What Mama?"
"I know Margrite started off just being another one of your kidnappers, and was paid and forced to look after you, but you changed her heart. Give her a hug for me for making your life bearable even when it often wasn't. And for saving your life from those horrid men more than once."
"I will. That's sweet, Mama," Jeanne observed and knew the natural tendency for her mother would be to hate Margrite, who was an accomplice to the kidnappers.
Josephine continued and voice cracked, "And for the eight years I couldn't give you. I forgive her. Her alone. None of the others, honey. I… I know you do care about her."
"Thank you. I love you, Mama."
Without hesitation, she hugged her mother.
"I love you too, Jeanne Meriem-Marie," Josephine whispered with her eyes closed, intentionally using both middle names and savoring the embrace from her grown up daughter. It had taken awhile for the French woman to get used to Jeanne's new adopted middle name, but her mother knew it was important for her daughter to accept the past which would always be part of her no matter how much she returned to the life she wanted. They'd had a long talk about it.
Jack and Jeanne took the elevator to the hotel restaurant, tipped the always-friendly elevator operator, and joined the others for a good breakfast and conversation. There was a lot of joking and ribbing from their siblings about last night, but it was all well-meant and none of it bothered them. Jack and Jeanne sat close and exchanged many adoring glances that lingered from their time together the night before. Josephine loved her son-in-law's compassionate care of her daughter, and prayed Michelle would end up together permanently with Paul and find him as worthy and devoted husband as Jack. Paul, with good examples to follow in his brother and father and Armand, was as kind and gentle as they were, while also being smart, personable, strong, respectful, and protective of their daughter. Paul and Michelle were sitting together again and she could tell they were discreetly holding hands. Every day they seemed to fall a little deeper in love. Michelle adored Paul. She could tell they were every bit as serious as she and Armand were about each other at that age.
It seemed a family trait that Jacot women found who they wanted early in life.
…
As hard as confronting and taking down Farnsworth was, and how difficult it was seeing Siegfried ruined and broken and forgiving him, the final visit would be the hardest.
Jack and Jeanne's long stroll through the city in their first attempt at contacting Margrite was to go to the old flat. Jack commented, "I remember going down this street several times in my search. To think I missed you every time…"
She stroked his arm seeing his self-blame, "Not to worry cheri. The way it ended was the way it was supposed to end for us."
They went up the stair and knocked on the flat door. Twice.
It opened up, but it was not the face Jeanne was expecting, nor the occupant, "What the hell do you want now, Margrite? Oh… I'm sorry… didn't expect someone else. How may I help you?"
Jeanne asked timidly, "Does Margrite still live here?"
It was the landlord, and he eyed them suspiciously, "Not any more. Say… M'Lady. You and the Guv'ner here don't look like you're from around here."
Jeanne said with no emotion, "I was once."
There was a glimmer of recollection in the man's eyes, "Wait… I remember you. You were the pretty teen that lived her with the others. Margrite was your mother, right?"
"Yes, she was," Jeanne answered. There was no sense in correcting this stranger.
"Lady, they are all gone. People say the men died in the jungle, killed by some kind of bad jungle spirit. The woman came back and lived here pretty much by herself. She barely got out of that experience alive and never said nuthin' to no one about it. She had her baby here by herself. I don't know how anyone can do that."
That was a shock to Jeanne. Margrite said nothing about being pregnant. Jeanne was pleased that Margrite got her lifetime miracle after all. She probably hid being pregnant from Karl-Heinz.
"A woman born in a village in the deep jungle could," was Jeanne's answer to the landlord, but inquired further, "Why doesn't she live here anymore?"
"Sorry to say I had to evict her. She couldn't pay the rent. I gotta make a shilling, Lady. I know it's kind of cruel - she had a kid and I made them go. Don't know where she got her money but it ran out. Without a man, it's hard for a woman to make a living around here."
Jeanne's famous temper flared, "What? You jerk! You put a woman with a new baby on the street in this town?"
The landlord remained calm, "Look. Can we keep this civil, lady? You're not hurting for anything in life that I can tell. I am. I got have a family here to support."
"I… I'm so sorry. I know you have to make money too," Jeanne said ashamed. She hated that her temper was still so hair-trigger.
"Can we look around? I… I would like the memory," she asked.
"You can look all you want. It's gonna take months to get this place ready for new tenants. They really beat this place up."
Jack rolled his eyes seeing the extent of the squalor of the flat, "Oh my goodness, Jeanne - you lived in this?"
It still smelled of mold and baby poop and vomit. And even of stale sex.
Jeanne lamented, "It wasn't this bad when the men were alive. But I had to clean it all the time. They were terrible housekeepers."
Jack was visibly shaken, "Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry. You lived in this hellhole while I lived in a castle."
She reassured her husband, "It's OK, Jack. Everything is perfect for me now, thanks to you."
Karl-Heinz and Gunter's belongings and rooms were pretty much undisturbed. All their things were left behind untouched. It probably hurt Margrite too much to even think of looking at Karl-Heinz' stuff.
She stood in the doorway of another room. It had a crib and a changing table next to a regular bed, "Jack, this was my room. Margrite changed it into her baby's nursery."
Jeanne turned anxiously to the landlord, "Please sir, where is she? Please tell me she's not on the street. It's not safe."
"I heard her say something about a going to a homeless women's shelter. The Catholics run that."
Jeanne was done here with the bittersweet memories, "Come on Jack, let's hurry!"
They actually ran hand in hand through the streets. People turned and wondered why a rich young couple was in such a rush in the heat.
The shelter stood before them. It was in such disrepair. They could hear the noises and crying of women and children. This was truly the bottom of the world. But they could also hear the uplifting singing and chanting of the nuns.
"However I was forced to live, Jack, this is ten times worse," she gulped.
She steeled herself to go in and look for Margrite and her child. The place was very poverty stricken. It was too full of soiled beds and babies and unknown smells and sounds of sicknesses.
The Mother Superior met them and Jeanne bowed and said, "Gracious Mother Superior, may the peace of the Lord be with you. I was looking for someone who might be here."
"And with you also, dear child," she responded to the Christian greeting then said, "You and your husband are welcome here. Who are you seeking, dear, a child to adopt? We have so many who need a good home," the old woman said kindly.
Jeanne blushed very deeply, "Oh dear me no, not yet. We're but newlyweds, Mother Superior. But we are looking for a woman who I once knew and cared for me like a mother.
"Very well. I'll try to help you find her, dear."
She described what Margrite would look like.
The elderly nun pointed to the cot in the corner by the windowless and graffiti-covered wall. Jeanne wasn't sure if it was Margrite. There was a toddler taking a nap next to her, but there were a lot of other black women with a child, so they approached her tentatively. Jeanne asked Jack to stand further behind, but he was ready to defend her.
Jeanne approached the woman's cot, touched her lightly, and said softly, "Margrite?"
The woman dismissed and waved away the voice without turning and looking at who spoke, "Go away, Sister. I don't need any prayers. I had to work all night. I need to get reacquainted with my baby, but thanks for watching her. Don't bother me, please. I don't want to pray with you. Prayers don't help."
But Jeanne persisted, "Margrite… It's me. We need to chat. It's…"
Jeanne was about to announce herself but was interrupted. Annoyed, Margrite finally rolled over in the bed without waking her child, and was about to chide the female nun who was bothering her. But Margrite first saw a heavily bearded man in a suit. He had the face of the same bearded man in her constant nightmares of Karl-Heinz' brutal death.
Ignoring Jeanne, she shouted in fear, "Dear God! It's you!"
Her child screamed awake, and hid under the bed. Margrite stood and grabbed her gun hidden under pillow. It was Karl-Heinz'.
She aimed it right at Jack.
He put his hands up and back up further. Several other women around her gasped and moved away or froze in place. The nuns didn't know what to do.
Jack stammered, "Please don't shoot. I… I won't hurt you."
Margrite still didn't notice Jeanne, "You killed my husband. You used him for human target practice. You horrible man. You shot his balls off and took his eyes out after you shot him in the heart. You're no better than the animals that took everything else."
Jack calmly continued his apologies to settle the woman, "I… I'm sorry. He kidnapped Meriem for almost a decade. I was only trying to rescue her. He was going to kill us first. I had to defend Meriem."
Margrite's anger didn't subside, "Sorry, Mister, that doesn't bring Karl-Heinz back. You killed my baby's father."
Jeanne finally was able to interject in desperation, "Please, Margrite, it's me! It's Meriem. Please don't hurt my Jack. My rescuer. My owner. My husband!"
Margrite was on the ragged edge of sanity after witnessing her husband's gruesome killing, not even remembering or realizing this man was Meriem's beloved. She only knew that this human animal killed Karl-Heinz, and over two years later, the nightly terrors got progressively twisted in her mind.
Margrite's mind was so far gone and so mixed up from that day's horror that she didn't even acknowledge Jeanne as being Meriem and incorrectly got all the slave market happenings completely wrong in her head, "Why not, girl? Why shouldn't I kill the man who killed my husband? Karl-Heinz was the only thing I had in this world besides my two daughters. His daughters. I lost my older daughter in the slave market to this desert brothel owner. She's forced to lay with men for money every damn day. She has a boyfriend she wants to marry. His name is Jack. I'll free her from you, whoremaster, and reunite her with her Jack. Now's my chance. Especially after I find out where you are hiding her and kill you."
In her current state of complete confusion on that last day of Jeanne's captivity, Margrite could not equate this man with being Jeanne's beloved any more.
Jeanne sobbed and tried to get Margrite's attention, seeing her deep, wild-eyed, crazed look, convinced that Margrite was going to kill Jack, "Margrite, please. It's me. I'm Meriem. I'm right here in front of you. I'm free. This man is not my slave Master. He's my husband, Margite. This is my Jack! He saved me. He bought me and we escaped. And now were married. It's what we always wanted to do. I'm happier than I've ever been in my whole life with Jack now. I'm sorry that he had to kill Karl-Heinz. Don't ruin our lives again, please, Margrite. I beg you! "
Jeanne fell on her knees sobbing and pleading, which got the older woman's attention. Margrite looked at Jeanne and Jack. The look of understanding finally overtook her. Her expression softened and was then horrified, realizing that she had Karl-Heinz' gun trained on Jack. She dropped the gun on the bed like it had burned her hands.
Jeanne's words actually cut through Margrite's the fog of near-insanity, and she exclaimed, "Meriem? Your Jack? Ohmigod. It is you. It is Jack."
Jeanne reached for Margrite, they embraced and both cried together. Jack stood well away and pocketed the gun.
But then Margrite felt ashamed and pushed Jeanne away. She was in rags while Jeanne was dressed in designer clothing, "No, Meriem. Please don't touch me. You shouldn't see me like this. You're so beautiful and all grown up. Such a proper English woman. I'm nothing…"
Jeanne's tone and eyes pleaded, "Please, Margrite. No. Don't feel that way. Let me hold you again. I missed you… Mom…"
Margrite relented, and replied, "OK. OK."
They continued to hug together, but she rambled and stammered, "Meriem… Oh sweet Meriem. I prayed and I hoped to see you again someday, but I never ever expected you to ever come back. You hated your life here and hated Karl-Heinz and Gunter and I thought you hated me after the slave market. I don't blame you. You were treated so awfully by them. I didn't do anything to stop them. Things were getting worse and worse. I shot a man. And then when you were sold and Karl-Heinz was killed…. I… uh… oh dear me…"
She broke down again.
Jeanne admitted, "But I didn't hate you, Margrite. I… I loved you."
Margrite seemed to relax a bit, "You shouldn't have. But I loved you too. I never did the right thing for you. Ever. I never stood up for you against Karl-Heinz. I never helped you escape all the times I could. I was always afraid of what Karl-Heinz would to, even though I loved him. I'm so sorry, Meriem. For all the awful things I let happen to you. For all the lewd things Karl-Heinz and I did in front of you when you were little..."
Jeanne helped to reassure her, "You were there when I needed to pick up the pieces. And you kept them from killing me or beating me or assaulting me when I didn't know when to keep my mouth shut."
"You were strong. Very strong. Stronger than me. You didn't deserve to be robbed of your innocent childhood like normal kids have, and your Jack had."
"She still is strong," Jack dared to add. Margrite nodded but could not meet Jack's eyes. He terrified her still.
Her toddler was calmer now, and asked, "Momma, who is this pretty lady?"
The two year old was dirty, had a snotty nose, old worn out clothes, and was a little sickly-looking. But she was beautiful child, a nice blend of Karl-Heinz and Margrite.
Margrite ruffled the little girl's curly black hair and light mocha complexion, "This is your big sister, sweetie, who I tell you about. All grown up and married."
Jack marveled at the conundrum of this moment. This woman, who was her one of her captors, was being comforted and given sympathy from the very girl whom they kidnapped for the better part of a decade. This was so complicated. But then, so was Jeanne.
"Hi sissie! Are you going to live with us now?" the little girl said, and Jeanne accepted her hug.
Jeanne urged, "No little sister. I'm sorry. I'm married now. I live in this nice man's house," and she added, "Margrite, let me get you out of this terrible place. Come with us. Live with us in Scotland. Or Nigeria."
Jack had originally strongly disagreed with this offer, and was still uncomfortable with it, but seeing them in such poverty, especially the disheveled little girl, who was only a little younger than Andrew and Etienne, made him change his mind. Whatever they decided he would support. No one should ever live in this homeless shelter.
Margrite was adamant, "No honey, I could never do that. It just wouldn't be right. I was one of your kidnappers."
Jeanne had considered this possibility, "But can I support you? Where do you want to live? We can take you anywhere. Back home to Garua?"
"I can never go back there. There is nothing there for me. I want to stay here. I'm doing OK as a bartender in a small restaurant. A nice small restaurant for ordinary people and families."
Jeanne was insistent, "I want you to have money. I want to set you up so you never are worried about life again."
"How much money, Meriem?" Margrite asked.
"1 million Pounds Sterling. It was the account from our days in Walvis Bay. Technically, it's yours anyway."
The sum staggered her. It was incredibly ironic to Margrite that Karl-Heinz never actually paid her the million she demanded for Jeanne's care, and here it was their kidnap victim was actually giving her that million he promised.
"Oh, honey that would be wonderful. I could live quite well on that while I still work. I like being a bartender. I can help people that way. People talk to me about their problems and even though I can't solve them, they just want to talk to feel better."
Jeanne was pleased Margrite accepted her charity, and said anxiously, "Come on Margrite. Let's get you set up now. We'll give some to the Mother Superior for your care here too."
The Catholic homeless shelter leader was grateful for the 100,000 Pounds for Margrite's care from Jack's funds.
They went to a Bank of England branch in the financial district of Dar es Salaam and established an account for Margrite. With the interest on that much money to pay for expenses, Margrite would likely never run out of money. They shopped for a nice, modest flat for her and her child. They got her set up in a middle-class neighborhood in a place with a lot of African couples with toddlers for the little girl to have friends. Then they bought a lot of household items to get her started and a lot of nice clothes for her and her daughter.
Margrite was in tears with the generosity of Jack and Jeanne, "After all I let happen to you, and didn't do for you, you still came back to take care of me. I wouldn't have. I would have relished me being poor the rest of my life. Or wanted me dead, too."
"Margrite, I am doing this because I still love you. How could I not? You were my mother for years, and were the only one who cared anything about me. I want to stay in contact, 'Mom', and I want to see you again."
Margrite was in tears of complete disbelief, but accepted her captive's generosity and compassion, and actually called Meriem by her real name, "Jeanne, I want to do that too."
It was time to go. The women hugged goodbye. Margrite kept her distance from her husband's executioner, but was civil toward him. The woman was very emotional at their departure, "Good bye, Jeanne, I am very proud of you. You rose above all this and married the boy you always wanted in your heart. Good bye, Viscount Jack. Take care of my 'first baby'."
Jack tried to be positive in this awkward situation, "Of that you can be sure, Margrite."
On the way back to the hotel, Jeanne clung to her husband's arm, and said softly, "Thank you Jack for being so kind with Margrite. I know that was hard for you. Things with Margrite were… different from the others."
Jack only nodded. He wasn't sure how Jeanne could equate Margrite's care of her during her kidnapping as something good compared to Karl-Heinz' constant torment, but if it meant that Jeanne could accept what happened between them and feel like every wrong was now reconciled, then it was for his wife's overall good.
They both knew every circumstance that needed to be resolved in Africa was complete, some in some surprising ways.
…
As the family cruise and honeymoon progressed northward toward the Suez Canal and the Med on their way back to England after leaving Dar es Salaam, the 'Destiny' hugged the Kenyan coast further north than they'd ever gone before, to avoid the Somali pirates, though everyone in both families and the Destiny's crew were ready to repel boarders with pintel-mounted cannons and personal arms carried by nearly everyone, including family members. It had been decades since the Destiny had been so openly armed. They knew it as a long way to Crimea to find Dmitri who'd vowed to return home. The passage through Suez Canal through Egypt and into the Med past Palestine would be breathtaking, and it would be a fascinating cruise through the eastern end of the Med around Turkey and Greece before going into the Black Sea to Crimea. They'd discussed stopping to see the pyramids.
As they navigated, with Jeanne once again happily at the helm of the 'Destiny', she saw something wrecked on the coastline, "Wait. What's that?"
Through a spyglass, her jaw dropped. She could recognize that sight anywhere. It was Captain Dmitri's fishing boat grounded on a beach, heavily damaged.
They immediately went ashore to the meager harbor and wharves of a small fishing village to moor.
Jeanne was the first one off the Destiny, and made quick inquiry of a man in charge of the docks, "Has anyone seen Captain Dimitri?"
The harbormaster asked, "Madame, do you mean the old Russian guy and his family?"
"Yes."
The man said, "They work at the fish processing plant since they're landbound now."
Jeanne dragged Jack by the hand through the village nearly running.
A familiar old face greeted them on one of the fileting lines. It stunk of fish in the factory. Jack was bilious but Jeanne savored the familiar smell, and the even more familiar face she saw from afar.
Jeanne dropped her hand hold on her husband and rushed and embraced the elderly man who was gratefully surprised seeing the grown-up Meriem, who he realized was now free, "Oh, dear Papa Dmitri, I missed you so."
He was so happy to see the sweet girl and stated, "As I have missed you, dear daughter-in-spirit."
All his family was on the line, including his grandson who had grown tremendously. Tatianna and Leonid each had another child strapped to their backs, about a year apart. It was quite the family reunion.
When at last all the reunions had settled, the old Captain noted in Russian, "Meriem! Dear Meriem, goodness me. You are such a beautiful woman now. And married, I see."
Jack was impressed to see his wife speaking fluent Russian to Dmitri and his family. She never stopped amazing him.
But in English, a language the family understood, also because of all their business on the eastern coast of Africa for years, Jeanne made introductions.
"Papa Dmitri. Meet my family. My real family. This is my husband Jack."
Jeanne made proper greetings for all the rest of the family, and they went to the break room and sat. Dmitri lit up a smoke, and offered one to Jeanne, who replied, "Nah, I swore off the habit."
The old man smiled as they sat, "Ahh! Meriem, dear, you got married, did you? To that boy you always talked about. Hardly a boy now I guess. He's a handsome man, and very strong I see. Is he Russian like I told you to marry?"
"No, Papa Dmitri," she grinned, "This is Viscount Jack Clayton. A sturdy Scotsman. And a nobleman of England."
He chuckled, "All right. That'll do, close enough for this old Captain. It's a pleasure, Viscount Jack. You are one lucky lad to have Meriem as your wife."
He approached the one man in Jeanne's life that was Christian and a mentor while she was captive, "The pleasure is all mine, sir. Thank you for caring for Jeanne when I could not."
It was the first time Dmitri had heard her real name aloud used without fear. She'd shared it secretly with him in only a whisper.
The old Captain smiled, "You are most welcome, Jack. Nobility in England? God bless the Czar's memory that nobility should come back to Mother Russia. It would not be so crazy, if you English still have it. Eh?"
The crusty man asked rather pointedly of Jeanne, "Does your husband smoke?"
"No," she answered.
Dmitri frowned, and asked further, "Does he swear?"
Jeanne answered even more adamantly, "Heavens, no."
Even more frustrated, he asked, "Does he drink, Jeanne?"
"Yes. Scotch. Single malts. Wine. British ales."
Dmitri nodded approvingly at that, "Ah… Single malt scotch. So far, so good. Vodka?"
She smiled, "A little, but not like us. I put many a man under the table, Papa Dmitri, while I was in Dar es Salaam as a hostess. That saved my virtue every time. They thought the way to my body was through the bottle. They thought wrong…"
He smiled contentedly, "And now you why I taught you that, dear daughter, so that nothing could happen until you both had the right husband."
She blushed. Jack had to admit Dmitri's logic was sound, given the harsh world she had lived in. And he reminded himself to never get in a drinking game with his wife.
But the old mentor frowned at Jack and said in English with a thick Russian accent, "No vodka? Bahh! You, Viscount Jack. Take my advice. Drink vodka. Scottish noblemen are not real men until they do. Jeanne, I told you to marry Russian."
Jeanne quickly defended her husband, "My Jack is as worthy of me as any Russian, Papa Dmitri. He can wrestle leopards and apes and other huge animals without getting a scratch and make them all do his will. His name in the jungle is 'Killer'."
The ancient Captain stroked his bear, and examined the hulking physique of Jack Clayton, "So I see. Umm… so… what has he killed lately?"
Jeanne smiled proudly, "My kidnappers Karl-Heinz and Gunter, Papa Dmitri. He worked alone with his animal friends against both with only a 400 year old crossbow and a knife defending my honor. They had guns. There were only scraps for the scavengers when Jack was done."
Dmitri nodded with interest, "Show me your crossbow and knife, young man. I know you have them on you."
Jack looked a little puzzled but pulled both for the Captain to examine. His concealment under his suit was impeccable, taught specifically by Armand, but the old man saw the hidden weapons anyway. Even Armand was surprised at that. Dmitri held the elegant weapons like he was holding a fine woman in his hands.
The family's adults were gathered about and listening. Jack asked his father-in-law in a whisper, "What is going on?"
"I think Dmitri is considering if you are worthy to be Jeanne's husband. Russia is very patriarchal," Armand postulated.
"What do we do if he says 'no', Dad J?" Jack fretted.
"I have no idea. And I'm her real father," Armand puzzled.
Dmitri admired the precision crossbow and its barbed bolts, testing the sharpness. He licked his thumb after an intentional prick on the bolt point, and was most approving. He gently put the crossbow down on the lunch table and looked at Jack's enormous knife.
Dmitri looked Jack up and down with satisfaction, nodded, pursed his lower lip, and spoke to both young people with his blessing, ""Now that's a knife, Jack. Jeanne, he is a good young man, this Scotsman Jack. You are a warrior fit for the czar, young Jack. And fit for Jeanne, too. I approve."
Jack knew there was only one response, "Thank you for your blessing, Captain."
Tarzan and Armand were most amused at this crusty old man with such fine character. They were glad he protected her as best he could for nearly two years of the eight.
With the formalities over, Jeanne asked, "So what happened? How did you get stuck here?"
He explained, "Gulf Pirates. They came out of nowhere, and killed nearly half the crew. I managed to hide my son Leonid and his family in the storage tank though. I'm still angry that they attacked a worthless fishing boat. They went away but destroyed the engine and broke the masts. They left us for dead. We drifted for weeks in the weak current. Fortunately we drifted into the shipping lanes and a freighter gave us a tow. So there she sits on the coast since the tow. We had to get business or starve. They let us work here. We work very hard. We know fish."
"Who towed you?"
"I'll never forget. One of your father-in-law's freighters. Clayton Shipping."
"Who was the Captain?" asked D'Arnot with great interest. There had been no reports of maritime assistance rendered in this part of Africa.
"Captain Jensen I think. An American."
Jensen was such a standout Captain for D'Arnot that even Tarzan knew Jensen. A "Good Samaritan" commendation and bonus was needed here. Jensen had never mentioned this to his boss Captain D'Arnot. But he was a humble man. He wouldn't. Rescuing people on the high seas if needed was all part of the job.
Jeanne observed, "Papa Dmitri, you're not happy here."
"I'd rather be with the crew on the seas. You know that, dear daughter. My boat will never sail again. We need a new one."
She asked, "Is there one here in the harbor?"
Dmitri answered, "There is one for sale that will do with a little fix up."
"How much is it?" she asked.
"About half a million Pounds. But you know I don't make that kind of money in a whole year. Especially now."
"But we do," and she put the sum in his hand. It was most of the last of the secret stash of Walvis Bay funds.
Dmitri's eyes got huge. He used her proper name, which seemed a like a foreign name to him, "Jeanne, dear daughter, I should not take your charity."
She was insistent and made sure he held on to the big wad of cash, "Yes, you should. You were like a real father to me for nearly two years, made life with those horrible people tolerable. And I know you, Papa Dmitri. Think of it as a repayment for all that advice and protection and all those bottles of vodka."
His eyes twinkled, and he chuckled, "All right, all right, Jeanne, dear, I'll take it, since it is for a debt owed and not just charity. You still think like a Russian though you are French."
Dmitri's daughter-in-law Tatianna, who was also like a real daughter to him, noted, "He'd be a crazy old coot not to take your money dear little sister!"
"Well he is a crazy old coot no matter what," Jeanne retorted.
They all laughed and hugged.
Jeanne was able to make introductions of the rest of the family that now surrounded her, truly impressed by the crusty Russian man of the sea, "Papa Dmitri. This is the captain of the Destiny, our family's clipper. Captain D'Arnot, and his wife Amelie and baby girl Stephanie. Captain D'Arnot, it was Papa Dmitri who taught me helm and navigation."
D'Arnot was effusive, "I want to thank you, Captain Dmitri. Lady Jeanne is very talented and knows the ocean as well as any of my crew."
"She was a quick study, Captain D'Arnot," the old man said with a look of satisfaction toward his student.
"I have another idea," Philippe considered and whispered in Tarzan's ear. The Count instantly concurred.
Philippe talked in French with Jeanne to be precise, then translated by Jeanne into Russian, "Papa Dmitri, Captain D'Arnot has an idea for you to consider. When you get the new shipping boat ready, Captain, I have an offer for you. Clayton Shipping is expanding its fishing business. Want to be part of that? It's a steady income. You will always have a buyer for your catch. You can cruise the world and follow the fist wherever you want to go."
Dmitri chatted with his crew and family, and the answer came back quickly, "It is done. We want to be part of the Clayton business. You are good people. Your fine reputation is everywhere."
Philippe and Dmitri shook hands, sized each other up, and the crusty old man asked, "Are you sure you aren't part Russian, Captain D'Arnot?"
D'Arnot grinned, "I'm honored sir, but no. I'll contact our office in Kenya and you will have a Marconi installed in that new ship in no time."
"I am most grateful, Captain D'Arnot," and then he turned to Jeanne, "You have a wonderful real family and friends, daughter Jeanne. I knew you did. It was in you even when you were kidnapped. God is with you and these people, daughter."
Everyone heard his praise. The young woman blushed, "We'll be touch, Captain Dmitri."
Jeanne and her adopted Russian family parted after some tearful goodbyes, and the Russians watched them go fondly.
Leonid noted, "Jeanne's family and husband are such fine people. You'd never think any of them were rich."
Tatianna gushed, "Oh Daddy, I knew she'd find us again. Jeanne and Jack make a beautiful couple."
Dmitri said with satisfaction, patting her pregnant belly gently, "They will make handsome children. Just like you and my son do."
The old Captain noted to his son's comment, "These people are doubly blessed. They are rich in spirit as well as wealth."
The shift leader was patient but came over and said, "Break's over Dmitri. Your visitors are gone. Back to work."
The old sailor noted, "Boss man, we need to talk. I think we've packed enough fish for you. The sea is calling us again!"
…
At full sail on the Indian Ocean, Josephine stood next to her daughter along the rail, knowing every major goal of the trip had been accomplished, "Jeanne, honey, thank you for doing this cruise and thank you for bringing us all along so we could understand everything that you went through. You've righted so many wrongs your kidnappers caused for you. You're a new woman now, different than you'd have ever been just being our stay-at-home daughter. Confident. Composed. Brave. Independent. You've had so many amazing life experiences despite the terrible ones, and you rose above all those bad ones. We're so pleased that God provided you some wonderful people to keep your wits about you. We are so glad to know them. I know that even Margrite has some good in her."
Jane was standing next to them and observed, "Margrite was a good woman in bad situation. She didn't really know there was a better life and unlike you, dear, she had no way out."
"Well put dear friend," noted Josephine.
Jeanne took all the praise into her heart, "Thank you Mama and Mom C. I suppose I am a better person for all of this. Who would have guessed? Since we don't have to go to Crimea now, I propose a different idea."
"Like what?" Josephine asked.
"How about a nice vacation in Greece before we go home. Maybe a stopover in Italy awhile too."
"We could see some of your cousins and aunts and uncles, most you've never met," her mother suggested, warming quickly to Jeanne's idea.
Jane noted, "I've never been to either country, Josephine. It would be fun."
"It certainly would," Josephine agreed.
Jane then turned to Tarzan who was enjoying the fresh sea breeze, "Oh Jonathan, could we? We've never been to any of those places. It's home to Josephine."
He liked the idea but had some concern, "Are you sure you want us with you on a family visit, Josephine? Were not blood kin."
Josephine scoffed, "Of course you are. Our two married young people make us all kin. My relatives will all want to celebrate with the newlyweds, especially since none of them could make it to Greystoke."
Jeanne was ecstatic, "Sounds wonderful to me. Papa? Jack?"
Armand loved Greek and Italian food, so his answer was swift, "No question in my mind."
Jack agreed instantly.
Josephine concluded, "It's settled then. With all the food they will make us, we need lots of warm bodies to eat it all. Besides, when we come in to port and get off the Destiny, we'll drive them crazy. A lot of my family never thought I'd amount to much marrying a French army soldier."
The next few months were an amazing experience for this huge combined family, discovering an even bigger expanded family spread across the Mediterranean Sea.
…
Eventually they got back to London and then on to Greystoke, and immediately launched into plans for the next wedding in the family – Okpara and Lily's. They all knew that a black/white marriage would be a real challenge for that day and age, but everyone was fully prepared, and true love would not be deterred. The Abassi's got to Castle Greystoke a few weeks later, including Ndidi and her brand new fiancé, and they all lived in the summer house until the big day. Lily and Jeanne worked close together on all the nuptial plans, which resulted in another resplendent party, complete with an incredible 'first night' for the newest wedded couple in the ancient underground armory bedroom. Ndidi and Jack and Jeanne had a chance to renew their friendship, and the impressive new young man who belonged to Ndidi was welcomed into that close knit family of childhood friends.
...
It was the morning after the wedding. Servants scurried everywhere trying to clean up the party mess. The newly married couple was on their way by train and plane to a continental European honeymoon, and the Jacot's just left on their train to go back to Nigeria, after nearly eleven months together with the Clayton's. Armand's long leave of absence was over.
Michelle was in such a tearful state for Paul at the Jacot's departure that Jane and Josephine let the twins go back with them to stay in the guest room at the Jacot's flat until the rest of the family got home. Paul and Michelle left for Nigeria with some very strict rules for the 12 year old rapidly maturing young sweethearts. Their feelings for each other soared higher seeing Okpara and Lily get married, which prompted Paul to give her a promise bracelet from the vast collection of jewelry deep in the catacombs. After giving the jeweled bracelet to her, Paul thought it was the best kiss ever from his beloved, and she showed his gift of commitment to everyone. Paul, his father Tarzan, Armand, and Jack had a long talk with him before it happened about commitments and respect. Paul was very serious about this new step in his relation with Michelle, and both older men approved. Paul felt very grown up.
That left only Jack and Jeanne with Tarzan and Jane in the library. Andrew was sleeping soundly in his crib upstairs. They were all suffering quite a bit from 'empty nest syndrome'. Even Jack was suffering the effects of not having his sister close to him after two decades.
Sipping on a fine cognac, Jack observed in a melancholy mood, "Well… that's all over. It's quiet."
"Too quiet, dear," added Jeanne, snuggling a little deeper under Jack's arm in their favorite love seat. They savored their memory of the night before, when it was cold enough in the Castle that, very briefly, she wore her black leotard to bed for Jack.
"You kids said it all," noted Jane with a tear, missing her middle children, but happy to have her first born and his sweet wife close.
"Now what?" pondered Jack.
"Jonathan, dear, tell them," encouraged Jane with a very satisfied smile.
"What?" asked Jack and Jeanne together.
Tarzan smiled, "Well, kids. We're going to ask you to wait a while longer before starting a family."
"Why, Dad C? We're 20. We're old enough to be good parents," worried Jeanne.
Tarzan explained, "Of course you are dear daughter. You are going to be wonderful parents. We want you to have a good education first. Your mother Jane did but I never did. I've done OK running the business but I want you both to be better prepared."
"Oh?" wondered Jack.
Tarzan noted, "Jeanne, You love being an accountant, looking for fraud, and especially being a catering consultant."
"Yes I do, Dad C," grinned Jeanne, still basking in the success of Lily and Okpara's wedding. It was superior to their rededication party and that had been a record-breaker.
"Jack. You're going to run the business someday," Tarzan noted.
"Don't say that Dad. You're always going to be young," Jack protested.
With a sad shake of his head, Tarzan replied, "Sorry son, but it doesn't work that way, no matter how hard we want it to be."
Jack had no clue where this was going, "So… then… what?"
"You mother and I sending you both to the University. For business degrees. Your mother and father agree, Jeanne, dear."
Jeanne jumped in happiness, "Oh goodness me, Papa C! How incredible!"
Jack was very confused, "But Dad, the University doesn't let married couples get degrees together."
Tarzan grinned, "They do if their primary benefactor gives them a million Pound donation."
"Oh…" Jack smirked, and they all had a good laugh together and toasted their good fortune.
"We'll set you up in a flat near campus."
She snuggled and kissed his cheek, "Oh, Jack. This will be so wonderful. Our own little place, and in school together."
They both hugged, and Jack said appreciatively, "Mom and Dad. This is amazing. We… don't know how to thank you."
Jane snickered, "Thank us by remembering to study your books more than each other, dears."
While they worked very hard at their studies, that promise would be easier said than done.
…1927. University of Edinburgh…
Only three years later because of their diligent study ethic, Jack and Jeanne were at the graduation ceremony together. Their combined families all were in the auditorium audience watching them proudly prepare to walk across the stage to get their degrees – the first married couple to do so, which set a precedent for future couples. But they did in fact study themselves quite a bit during their time alone at University. And made another decision about their future as a family there too once they knew they were graduating.
Jeanne waddled up the line of graduates ahead of them to the auditorium stage and was seized by a contraction, but fought her way through it, with a bit of support from her husband right behind her. She was 9 months pregnant with twins, and was truly enormous. Just as the graduation ceremony had started, she went into labor. Seated next to her, only Jack knew, but not the family. She was not sure if she was going to give birth to her firstborn twins before she got her diploma. Fortunately she made it through.
They hurried to their four bedroom flat just as fast as they could, and Jane was the perfect skilled midwife for her daughter-in-law. She and Josephine would help her with the babies, and the twins had a nursery area already set up in the fourth bedroom.
She looked absolutely radiant nursing both babies in her rocking chair, with Jack next to her, soothing and admiring their new daughter and son.
"Aren't they beautiful dear?" Jeanne purred.
"Thank God they both look like you," he praised her, "you did great, Jeanne."
Both had a lot of hair, and a wonderful shade of olive a little lighter than their mother. It was too early to tell what color their eyes would be, but both new parents wanted them to have green and hazel, though it didn't matter to them who had what.
…1940. Land of the Mangani…
Jackie Clayton – Jonathan Robert Clayton the Fifth - and his 13 year old twin sister Meriem Eleanor Clayton were seated cross-legged naturally as they had been all night in front of their parents Jack and Jeanne, still in rapt attention to their parents' storytelling by a dwindling campfire at their special family pond.
One would never know how crowded that pond was until the dawn broke. For now, it was just the four of them sitting well away from the Mangani West gorilla troop, who were intermingled in the nest with the very first gorilla visitors from the Mangani East troop.
The leopards and the caracals were the only other creatures awake, and had been roaming the huge nesting area, guarding the combined gorilla and human families all night. Tikara and Naima were already friends. Tikara's first male cub Mykelti and his lifetime mate and several litters of his cubs by her were especially vigilant guarding the humans and gorillas. He gave his family the standard defense order: any unwanted predator that interrupted the proceedings was to be gutted.
There were a lot of humans too - a large mixture of Clayton and Jacot and Abassi families, with all the spouses and children and cousins and aunts and uncles. Lily and Okpara lay together surrounded their three beautiful dark-skinned, dark-haired children, though the girl twin had her mother's wavy brown hair and blue eyes with Okpara's skin color. She was staggeringly beautiful. Nearby were Paul and Michelle and their two separate sets of 4 and 6 year old twins, which were a pleasant surprise. Elisabeth and her handsome English soldier husband and their only child, who was two years of age, snuggled, but she was showing her second pregnancy. She was guessing she'd have twins too, based on several indications. Etienne and Andrew and their pretty steady girlfriends were sleeping discreetly nearby in Tarzan and Jane's nest, and were no strangers to the family's Mangani ways. Femi and Abassi and their clan were scattered about, all except Ndidi, who was in London, married to the Nigerian Ambassador to England. She'd wired her congratulations the night before.
The coming day was to be an even grander reunion of human, ape, and many other animal species, the likes of which had never been together since the last Animal Council decades ago. Tarzan was passing his role as Lord of the Jungle to Korak, as the gray-haired Silverback began a much-needed retirement. In the coming days in their human world, the Clayton's would also return to Castle Greystoke, where Tarzan would retire as Count Clayton, and Jack would ascend to that title as well.
The only two love ones missing from Jack's childhood were there at least in spirit, with two humble graves at the base of the spring of the pond marking the passing of Jackie's Great Grandfather Baron Archimedes Porter and his beloved Kala.
But here, in the midst of the land of the Western Mangani, representatives of the animal kingdom spreading from western Africa all the way to the central/eastern jungles had just selected Korak as their Lord of all the Jungle. Jack would rule a vast kingdom a hundred times larger than what his father did, spreading over millions of square kilometers. It would take an airplane to make the trip from end to end in a timely manner. It was a good thing Jack was an accomplished private pilot and a reservist Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force, and owned the best aircraft money could buy.
Those jungles were already 'home' to Count Jack and Countess Jeanne Clayton, with a couple more smaller treehouses built in those vast jungles, including the one on the border of leopard territory/Eastern Mangani land they visited regularly and the one they cherished the most at their 'vision pond' in the eastern highlands near Lake Victoria, where they consummated their marriage years ago. The small residence was next to the chapel they'd built there for family worship around the simple altar that still stood since the day of their austere jungle marriage.
Jeanne was incredibly proud of Jack on the night before the celebration. They would have never slept anyway even if the kids hadn't been awake. The recounting of the beginning of their lives as a couple for their oldest children was an important journey.
Like their parents, the 13 year old twins matured early because the environment of jungle living. Both were quite a mix of family genetic traits, accentuated by having a slightly lighter olive skin color than their mother because of Jack's lighter complexion. They were already a product of the Porter heritage as fraternal twins, and as Porter family-tradition twins, both experienced the Porter side of having significant body hair. Jackie retained his mother's hazel eyes and black hair, and like hers it was dead straight unlike his father and grandfather's dreadlocks. The Clayton heritage was strong too, as Meriem was green-eyed like her father Jack and somewhat wavy auburn hair that was teased into feminine dreadlocks. She liked to wear it bottom-length like her mother, so it flowed nicely against her already ample feminine triangle and young woman's figure. From every indication, Jackie was clearly going to be as well-built physically as his father Jack and grandfather Tarzan.
It had been a very long night of tale-telling. Jack and Jeanne had finished the entire story of their exhaustive beginnings from age 8 to nearly 20. All were emotionally drained.
Dawn would rise over the jungle soon, and they all wanted to see it, to emphasize the twins gaining a brand new perspective and understanding the responsibilities of leading the dual lives of being simultaneously Clan Clayton humans and Mangani gorillas, and beginning today, a brand new kind of citizen of the vast jungles of all of Africa.
Jackie was wide-eyed, "Wow, Mama and Papa, that was an incredible story. We've never heard it that way before."
They called their parents the old French way, showing their respect for their mother's French family heritage. French was spoken as much as English in their home, as well as Mangani here and a fair amount of Gaelic when they were home at Castle Greystoke. The next generation of the family had the same talent for multiple human and animal languages as Tarzan himself.
Jeanne noted, "Well neither of you were grown up enough before so that we could tell it you the adult way. But it was time. Especially with your father's big day as Lord of all the African jungles. You wanted to hear it all and well… we had to. We don't want either one of you to suffer the heartache we did with our loved ones."
But there was no heartache now, only joy. Jeanne soothed the protruding mound of her bare bosom and stomach that enveloped their fourth child, well along in her final trimester and giving her a solid kick. She looked to see their third, five year old Anne, sleeping soundly with her Grandmother Jane, who cared for her while this long storytelling had to happen. Jeanne knew this pregnancy wouldn't produce another set of twins. Young Meriem Clayton thought her mom's big pregnant breasts, bigger than they normally were, and the thin black hair line up from her feminine areas to her nearly-missing belly button were fascinating. She traced the similar line from her own curls surrounding her auburn femininity unconsciously over her very flat taut belly to her belly button. She wondered what it would someday feel like to have her breasts filled with milk for a newborn.
Meriem asked, "And then what happened?"
Korak laughed, "Well we started at the University, and as part of our international business study, that next summer went on a real vacation in America in the Destiny with your Grandmother Jane's American cousin. And like a good husband and son Grandfather Tarzan and I obeyed them."
Meriem laughed and shoved her brother, "See? Girls rule!"
Jackie wasn't so sure he like that situation, so he ignored his sister and asked, "What then, Mama?"
Jeanne explained, "While we were there, we discovered a whole new set of animals and people to make friends with. Some who had darker skins like us. Native Americans they are called."
Jack kidded using an American slang term, "And America's animal kingdom was never the same after our visit. But that was a whole 'nuther adventure."
Both kids demanded, "Tell us! Tell us!"
Jeanne calmed them, "That's all for the day. Perhaps that's a story for another day. The sun is about to rise, let's go see it – and the sun is about to rise on your father's new role in the jungle."
The four quickly climbed the tallest tree without disturbing the sleeping cape parrot roost that had come to celebrate Korak's ascendency, and poked their heads above the canopy together and faced the first light of the coming dawn over the land of the Mangani, and all the lands to the east to the far coast, all of which today would be his jungle. Jack was impressed that very pregnant Jeanne didn't need and didn't want his help climbing.
But his forty-something tomboy was so much like that eight year old tomboy that he'd seen for the very first time traveling with her parents in this same jungle many years ago in their desperate escape from Morocco. The scar on his temple ached for a moment, but his heart was as taken with her today as the moment he first glimpsed that exotic little 8 year old black haired, dark skinned girl.
…Somewhere in the central/east African jungle…
On his death nest, an ancient pure white-haired Silverback gorilla was surrounded by a small, weeping family. But even what should have been a quiet passing was disturbed by a visitor. A human visitor.
Akut said weakly, "Queen La… well… what a surprise. Happy to finally see me pass into the afterlife?"
She fumed, "You've been a worthy foe and sometimes ally and friend over the years, Akut. Before you go, what is this I hear from my informants of your Mangani Grandnephew becoming the Lord of all the jungles? That's my job. Only one human rules these jungles. And it's not the man Korak."
"It's too late to be my fight. You'll have to take that up with Korak. And my son. He'll be in charge of the Mangani East in only a few more minutes."
"Don't worry, I will. Farewell, Akut."
A very naked La, except for her horned, jeweled, and feathered headpiece and many layers of gold and bejeweled necklaces and anklets and her equally nude female attendants with their vicious weapons disappeared into the jungle depths.
…Royal Air Force Headquarters, 1940…
The Air Vice Marshal commanding the Home Command forces looked at the giant map of the training and movements of the German Luftwaffe, "Something is brewing. We have to call up everyone. Especially our best reservists."
French Deputy Minister of Defence Armand Jacot, who exiled himself when the Vichy government capitulated to the Nazis when they occupied Paris, noted, "The Count is still in Nigeria."
"Get word to him on the Marconi that he puts on a flight suit as soon as he gets to London for the Homeland Defence and gets his family to safety in a hurry in Scotland. Tell him if he doesn't, there won't be a Castle Greystoke to come home to."
"Yes sir."
THE END OF THE SEARCH FOR JEANNE
Authors Notes: Omigosh, it's done. Finally done!
I have left you with some teasers, but that is all they are, left there to imagine your own adventures of the ways Tarzan and Jane's now very large family featuring Jack and Jeanne and circle of friends might go in this Disney-based world of Tarzan I envisioned. Should I ever take up the pen again for the Chronicles, I have left three possibilities open: a crazy, fun trip to America. An encounter with my interpretation of Queen La, a ERB canon archrival of Tarzan's. Or Jack as an RAF fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain. Or something in the distant past with just Tarzan and Jane without kids or Jack as an infant or toddler. Who knows? Right now, I have exhausted my thoughts and desires for Tarzan and Jane and their extended family.
In any case I'm taking a very long rest from two solid years of writing the Chronicle, especially this 60 plus chapter arc that covered Jack and Jeanne from childhood to adults. I'm exhausted.
I have tried to remain true to the two families/one world theme of the Disney version of Tarzan and in fact every one of the stories was also true to 'transitions' in each of the main character's lives.
Thanks so much for all your amazing support and acceptance of my take on Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic characters. And to end the story on that theme, Jack and Jeanne's son 'Jackie' is the actual canon name for their son. Meriem Eleanor Clayton, his fraternal twin sister, is my OC. (Both Jeanne and Jack agreed to name her that to honor Eleanor's memory and to raise their child Meriem in a Christian, loving household to erase all the memories of 'Meriem' being a bad name).
And I am moving my creative work to another site. That fiasco with FFnet at the end of August convinced me I need a new home and a long time ago the family asked me to move. That will be at I_n_k_i_t_t_.c o m [slash] ayziks. (remove the underlines and spaces) It will take awhile to get set up there and I am completely unknown to the readership there. I only have two stories transferred.
-ayziks