Transition Plan Chapter 124 - Mangani Girl

After nearly a month in the jungle with just Jana and Karnath, Jeanne and Jack rejoined the troop to enjoy the rest of their time in the jungle with all their gorilla family and friends. It was really Jeanne's first extended time with the gorillas, as their time with the troop at their public mating had been very brief.

Jeanne felt right at home with the females, who were very welcoming. Gorilla females loved the experience of being with human women and girls who were much like them, until now limited only to Jane and her daughters Lily and Elisabeth, Josephine and Michelle, and the other Elisabeth, Jane's head servant. Jeanne enjoyed caring for and playing with the newborn baby gorillas and the toddlers to give her female friends a break from their caregiving. It endeared Jeanne to the young adult female members of the troop, and her love of the gorillas reminded a number of the oldest females in the troop how Jane helped care for their offspring - all adults with babies themselves - before she had Korak and her other children. The Mangani found it interesting that human females seemed predisposed to care for others' children as well as their own, which was not common in the animal world.

Seeing her cuddle and play with the gorilla juveniles and befriend the females gave Jack a warm feeling. It gave Jack a glimpse at how Jeanne would be a good mother for their own children as he sat on his haunches in a circle with the males, discussing the daily affairs of the troop. She glanced over to Jack, noticed he was watching her too, and blushed.

Jack showed proper subservience and deference to Kirok, who was troop's Silverback whenever Tarzan was not around. All the other males were impressed with the young man's behaviors, because everyone knew he was Tarzan's heir, and for many, it had been a very long time since they had interacted with him as a member of the troop - then only as a young teen. Jack could have easily challenged Kirok's authority, but did not. He acted like just another ordinary adult black back gorilla male, simply listening and following orders and guidance as one of the youngest adults.

Archimedes, the eldest of the apes, was very proud of his grandson's respectful conduct. The often derogatory term 'naked ape' used by other species about humans was in reality the highest compliment the Mangani could bestow on Jack as they had on Tarzan and Archimedes. Lack of fur was truly the only difference between Jack and the other black backs in the troop, though his long auburn beard and body hair fascinated them. Kirok and several other gorillas thought Korak resembled their distant cousins - the Orangutans - and their red-orange fur that Archimedes had shown them in pictures and drawings.

Regardless of his resemblance to other species, to all of them, Korak was truly Tarzan's son grown to be a man.

The conversations of the males was typical, spending considerable time about the finer points of which end of a worm was the most delicious and how sour the crop of termites was this year due to lack of proper rain to keep them plump and moist. They had a very animated conversation about the latest male to come of age, when to admit him into the circle of the adult males, and who among the available females – daughters of the adults - he would pick as a mate. Jack engaged the males in conversation, but the young man's feelings for his mate distracted him. Kirok noted that Jack's attention was drawn more to Jeanne than to the black backs' debates. Kirok had also been observing Jeanne. Since the young pair had joined the troop after their time alone with his daughter Jana and son-in-law Karnath, Kirok was pleased that he could easily see Jeanne's strong feelings for and interactions with the other females and their offspring. He noted with particular interest Jeanne's especially-close friendship with his daughter Jana, her respect for his mate Terk, and the females' easily-earned acceptance of the human woman as Mangani. Terk had remarked in private to Kirok and Jana that Jeanne was in many ways more Mangani than some of the naturally born gorillas in the troop.

Kirok interjected into the casual conversation that had turned to the attributes of sweetest tasting watering hole in the jungle, "Korak? Are you listening?"

That startled Jack, replaying their time at 'their pond' again in his mind, and her cute glances at him through the connection which let them share those fond memories, and he tried to recover, "Uh… no, Silverback Kirok. I'm sorry. I was… umm… distracted. But… yes, Kirok. How may I serve the troop?"

All the males knew their human cousins were flirting and staring at each other, and they chuckled in their simian manner. It was clear Korak was emotionally in his own personal jungle alone with his mate for a moment.

Kirok pronounced, "Your Jeanne is truly Mangani. Everyone can see that. We are very pleased. Go to her. Tell her so."

There were grunts and tones of universal concurrence from the other males, especially the father of the toddlers Jeanne was playing with, technically Jack's second cousin, and from Karnath.

Jack acknowledged being dismissed by Kirok with the proper gestures. The others chuckled at how smitten he was with his mate, attributing that to another one of those weird 'human things', and he turned toward the group of females. The gorilla 'women' all noticed when one of the males came to them. Especially the son of Tarzan.

Jeanne pretended to not notice his approach, which caused Jana to suppress her amusement. Jeanne continued talking with her fellow females and continued to play the toddlers who really were fascinated by her thigh-length hair. It was so long and luxurious that it draped over her like a coat of black, shining fur whenever she squatted on her haunches like the others. Jack came up on all fours next to her, and the females stopped talking, deferring to the male approaching his mate. She smiled at him, while letting the little ones feel the smoothness of her hair and taste a handful of it. Human hair was very different than fur. They were trying to be careful and their mothers cautioned them to not yank it.

"Greetings, dear mate. Look. Aren't they cute?" she beamed, keeping her head low in respect to Jack as the other females did to their mates.

"They are, but not half as cute as you are," he stated softly, grooming her lightly as any male mate would greet his female.

The other females snickered. Those were loveplay words, which was why the males usually broke their circle during the day to seek their mates. To mate. But human behavior was different, especially between these two 'lovebirds'. The females watched to see what would happen next, which was always entertaining with humans.

These two were different than Jane and Tarzan, and most knew that she had been captured for many years by evil humans and subjected to a life not of her choosing, though that was very hard for many of the younger Mangani adults to understand.

Jeanne was a vision to Jack, a Mangani female through and through, and her attention to the juvenile gorillas was not that much different than playing with human children. She was a little dirty on her arms and feet, her cheeks, and her cute nose because she'd been digging for roots and tubers to feed the family before the resting time with the females. She had a few scratches from her active life in the jungle. Her hair was messed up in a beautiful way, not only because of the toddlers' curiosity of it, but there were some leaves and a few flowers mixed into it that were left from a fun romp in the jungle earlier in the day just with him. She was completely unclad like her Mangani peers, not even wearing her knife and slingshot but both were within reach for emergencies. He gazed into her hazel eyes, framed by the purple berry-stain eye shadow like Jane wore. Her glasses and rings and bracelet set her just enough apart from the gorillas to remain a little human. The gorillas were truly fascinated by Jeanne's glasses, who, like Archimedes, was dependent on them. It was rare for gorillas to have poor eyesight.

The image of a slightly disheveled Jeanne was irresistible to Jack and he had to remember why he came over to the circle of the females. She could see the puzzlement in his eyes and prompted him, "Yes dear mate, you came to speak to me about something?"

Jana nearly lost her composure in laughter. Jeanne really did have complete control over Jack at times. She wondered if that were true of all human females over their mates.

Recovering his thoughts, with strong emotion in his heart, Jack conveyed, "Uhh. Yes… Jeanne, sweetheart. Silverback Kirok has asked me to convey that all the black backs think that you are in every way a Mangani female. And the troop is most pleased."

She poked his chest and grinned, "And what does this black back think?"

"Who am I to disagree with my elders and my friends?" he kidded back, but was genuinely serious.

Karnath and Jana were completely amused. They'd seen these two tease each other nearly every waking moment for a month.

A tingle of happiness ran through her. With no hesitation, she said to him in the language of the troop, "Then thank you, dear mate Korak. I am pleased that our family feels that way. If you said the word today, I would stay here forever in this wonderful place with you and my sisters and your brothers and never go back."

They nuzzled as mates, and apologized for how complex their lives were, "I know you would, Jeanne, dear. I would too. If we only could…"

Jeanne tried to comfort him, "Every visit here will be special as if we lived every day here, my dearest Korak. I will bear our children in the Land of the Mangani. They will all be 'of the jungle'."

It was a very strong public statement and the females and males murmured their pleasure at her confession.

Jeanne gave Jack a look of total adoration, nuzzled him closely, but let her lips press against his to become a deep human kiss while kneeling before one another.

There was a general background response from both the males and females grunting with approval over their affection. They ignored it and were lost in each other for a moment. Everyone thought they knew what was going to be next.

Jeanne broke the kiss, but put her warm, newly moistened lips next to his ear, and spoke demurely in deeply accented French, "Now go back to the others and do your manly business. Tonight is ours, Jonathan Robert Clayton IV."

"I love you, Jeanne Meriem-Marie Clayton," he said softly.

"I know you do," she smirked, knowing just what she had to do to make it truly memorable for this sweet, devoted man who was her husband.

They parted and he returned to the circle of the males.

"So what's next?" Jack asked.

His full attention was now devoted to the males, attempting to pretend nothing just happened and that he and Jeanne were not observed their entire time together.

Karnath suggested, "Tell us, Korak, of Akut and our brethren, the Eastern Mangani, whom you liberated, and of your friendship with the leopards."

Jack and Jeanne had already told Karnath and Jana that tale while they were all alone. There was a universal desire in the troop to hear of that story, and the females, in a rare combined adult Mangani session, were invited to join the males, each sitting with their mates at Kirok's request.

They paid rapt attention to every word of the Prince of the Jungle and his mate.

…

Their month with the troop also gave Jeanne the opportunity get very close to Kala and Archimedes. They required extra care as the most elderly of the Mangani. Jack and and Jeanne could see the love and devotion between the pair which had not dimmed with age.

Archimedes was most proud that Jack and Jeanne would be at the University together, "Your Grandmother Porter and I never had the opportunity to be married and be in college until I became a professor, so make the most of it. You two will have a very special time together. Study hard. Show the faculty and the Chancellor it was well worth taking the chance on two married students, so others can have the experience you will be the very first to have. If you take three years or four years, it doesn't matter. Cherish that time just as a couple. Being an adult, especially becoming a Clan Clayton and Mangani adult and all the responsibilities of being the heir will come far too fast."

Jack was most appreciative of his grandfather's advice, "We will, Grandpa Porter. Thank you. We know how special this will be. We are ready for this, Grandpa. We will make you and Grandmother Kala and our parents proud."

Jeanne added, "Almost like our year in the eastern jungles alone as newlyweds, Grandfather Porter. Something we'll always have that no one else can experience."

Kala observed, "Exactly, dear Jeanne. You are so much like Jane. I love you as much as her. You are so good to Korak and to all of us. You were meant to be part of this family from the beginning."

That brought tears to Jeanne's eyes, and she embraced Kala.

…

They stayed another month with the Mangani, wandering through the jungle with them from nest to nest. She enjoyed all the special experiences of being a gorilla female and mates with Korak, and the pair continued their closeness with Jana and Karnath while tending to their duties in the troop.

Kirok was such a good leader in Tarzan's absence.

She got to get reacquainted of Jack's friends along the way, more than the brief encounter during their public mating ceremony, including the son of Tantor and Habika. Riding with him and his mate through the jungle was fun, especially in the streams and waters that the elephants enjoyed so much to cool themselves and relax. Water fights were particularly fun, with their elephant friends blasting them with water from their trunks like water cannons.

But it was finally time to go. There were many tearful goodbyes, because everyone knew it would be some time before their return. Jack and Jeanne were leaving refreshed and renewed, exactly what they had intended.

Jana could hold back her tears, "Can't you stay with us forever, Jeanne? You seem like a very smart human. You don't need that 'school' stuff."

"Believe me if I could I would, dear cousin," replied Jeanne in an emotion-filled voice. Jana and Jeanne embraced and lingered as gorilla sisters.

They had their last goodbyes with their grandparents, as Archimedes choked, "Dear lad, give our regards to your father and mother."

Jack was well aware that every parting could be their final time to see each other, "Don't worry Grandpa Porter. It won't be long before they get here, right after we get settled at the University."

Kala was crying, "Study hard, and come back to us soon. I'm sorry to be selfish dear, but I want to see your babies before… well before… you know…"

Jeanne blushed but knew she meant well, "Yes, I understand. Of course we will, Grandmother Kala. You will get to bless our children as only a Mangani elder can."

Departing from the Mangani was very emotionally difficult, but they knew what was ahead. Jack and Jeanne travelled swiftly by vine swinging and even a little cross country branch surfing to get them back to the treehouse swiftly.

Someone was already there, and as expected, it was Okpara and Lily.

Jack embraced Lily as only brother and sister could and teased, "I wondered who was trespassing in the treehouse. I was ready for a knife fight."

"Which against me you would lose, dear brother," Lily joked. Jack knew she was probably right.

Jack noted, "We were going to call you on the radio, but you're early."

Lily blew a kiss to her husband and snickered, "We needed a little break from the crowd. Just a few days totally alone. It's still a little weird having relations with Okpara living in a fishbowl. Already Mother Femi is hinting about being a grandmother."

Okpara expressed his frustration with that, "I've grown up with all that happening around me, and even I like our time alone. And I keep telling Mom to stop pressuring us, Lily, dear. I want us to just be a couple for now like you guys."

It was fun for Jack and Jeanne to see his younger sister and her husband act like an 'old married couple' already.

Jeanne rolled her eyes, knowing how much attention the Mangani had paid them at times in their own intimacy, and reflected, "Believe me, we understand that."

Jack praised the beautiful young woman who was always like a twin to him, "Lily, you look amazing. It seems that married life is treating you well."

Lily blushed, "Well, when you have Okpara as husband, how can things not be good?"

Jeanne grinned, "Only if it's Jack who's your husband, sis."

They all gave each other contented looks. Life had turned out well for all of them.

"Are things OK when you go into Lagos?" Jeanne dared say, alluding to the racial challenges they might face.

Lily replied, "Well, we get some looks sometimes when we walk together downtown, but no one has been cruel. Most everyone knows about us. Even in the Council of Chiefs Village, some question Okpara marrying outside the village's women. But we can handle it, and we get a lot of support, especially from Ndidi. She's very protective of her little brother and treats me like her real sister, just like always."

Okpara was adamant,"Anyone who dares challenge our right to be wed will have to answer to me. I am the heir to be Chief of all of Nigeria. Lily is truly a Nigerian woman, and lives just like any of my family and friends. Color has nothing to do with how she is inside, and she shows she's Igbo in her heart every day."

Life was so different for all of them and they all had so many adult concerns now.

"Who ever thought we'd be so grown up? It seems like a day ago we were all just jungle friends and little kids," Jack reflected for all of them.

"Well, we don't have to be grown up right now," Jeanne teased, seized her husband's hand, and they all ran off into the jungle surrounding the treehouse.

The foursome had a couple of days together to have fun, so they did a lot of swimming and swinging, and Jeanne got to show off her branch surfing skills in some nearby trees. Over mealtimes in the treehouse, they spent a lot of time sharing stories of being young married couples.

Every night together, it was quite noisy in their shared bedroom, as each couple made love in their adjoining beds, something they were all looking forward to. It was very satisfying for everyone, and they teased each other about making too much noise.

"Hey, sis! Keep it down over there! You're distracting us," Jack quipped while vigorously engaged with Jeanne. Jack had Jeanne so excited, she couldn't even speak.

Lily shot right back, between her own gasps, "Well if we are, you're not paying enough attention to Jeanne, 'big bruver'!"

At that point Jeanne completely lost it in laughter, which was infectious to all of them. It interrupted the pace of everyone's intimacy for a moment while they composed themselves.

But not for long.

…

A day later they returned from playing together in the jungle talking and laughing non-stop, but heard noises within the treehouse. All four went into stealth mode as they drew their weapons to quietly come to the house, each from a different direction to trap any intruders.

They were surprised to find Michelle and Paul in the twins' bedroom alone, but they were just sitting very close to each other on the bed hugging and kissing gently. They were mature enough as young teens to get into a far more compromising situation, especially alone. They had the desire, but were honoring their promise to their siblings, parents, and to each other.

The sight of the young pair being affectionate but being very restrained pleased Jack and Jeanne, as Jeanne greeted them, "Well look who joined us."

They both got up immediately and hugged and kissed their sibs and their spouses.

Michelle explained, "We missed you guys, and we knew you'd be here, so we asked my parents if we could visit you a couple of days before you came back and left for the University."

Paul said proudly,"They trusted us."

Jack responded, "You clearly earned that trust. God bless you both. And sure, we can all have some fun together."

Michelle added, "Mama et Papa want you to call them on the radio and tell them that we got here safely and that we are being good."

Jeanne answered her little sister by ordering her husband, "Gladly. Crank up that transmitter, jungle boy."

Paul and Michelle stayed with the couples a few more days of fun after a quick radio call to the Jacot's. It was very clear to Jack, Jeanne, Lily and Okpara that Michelle and Paul were very deeply committed to each other.

At night, the two married couples insisted that Paul and Michelle sleep in Jack's old cot in the 'big kids bedroom' to be properly chaperoned. Paul and Michelle loved the closeness under their siblings' supervision.

But it was finally time to go, and so three couples left the treehouse together and secure. Soon they were on the edge of civilization, and they exchanged tearful goodbyes.

Lily was the most upset, "Jack, you and Jeanne are so lucky to be at the University and getting degrees. Don't mess up."

"We won't. There's a lot riding on this. Our family reputation, and getting our education so we can be ready to be in charge of the family some day. Dad and Mom are getting older."

Lily emphasized, "Don't ever forget that, 'big bruver'. I really hate to say this, but someday it will only be us five and our spouses and children. We have to protect what we have at the Castle as well as here. A lot of people and animals depend on us."

Jack reflected on how mature Lily truly was, and wondered that perhaps she was better prepared to be the heir to Clan Clayton, not him.

...

Lily and Okpara went back to the Old Village after donning her bracelets, anklets and waist cord, and after dressing at the end of the trail, along with Michelle and Paul, Jack and Jeanne stayed a few days with the Jacot's, enjoying their return to civilized life, and Josephine's wonderful French home cooking before preparing the DH4 for the return flight to the Castle Greystoke.

Jack was near Lloyd, preparing the workhorse aircraft to fly. Jack noticed something new on Lloyd's left hand.

Jack was pleased, "A ring? So you finally tied the knot with Louise?"

"Yes I did," Lloyd proudly announced, "You guys had two months in the jungle, so I figured, 'Why not?' And she said 'yes'."

"Well this is a really special occasion. I hate to separate you newlyweds. Should Jeanne and I take a ship back to Scotland while you honeymoon?"

Lloyd explained, "Nah. She's going to take a ship and after I get you back, the Count is going to let us honeymoon awhile in London and Scotland. Your dad is always the best."

Jack had a wry smile, "Well, family is always most important to him. But I have a better idea."

"Oh?" questioned the pilot.

Jack offered, "You and Louise take the ship back and honeymoon together, and I fly Jeanne and me home. I hear Captain Jensen is in port. Passenger accommodations are a little better on his freighter."

Lloyd was pleasantly shocked, "Jack? Are you sure? I am responsible for taking you home. Louise will understand. She's waited a long time for me to marry her. We can wait a little longer to celebrate."

"Absolutely I am sure. You're newlyweds. I know how important being together is. You know Dad would do the same thing for you. Besides, if I break the DH4, I already bought it."

They laughed.

Jeanne approached the plane with their luggage and wondered what was going on, so Jack explained. It all made sense, but she was concerned, "Jack, dear. You're a good pilot, but does Lloyd think you can do this?"

Lloyd assured the Viscountess, "He's ready for it Lady Jeanne. He's as good a pilot as I am now and a pretty decent mechanic too. And quicker in reflexes, actually."

She looked at her husband happily, "Well. This sounds pretty exciting. I guess this means I'm the navigator."

All of them knew she had a great sense of direction.

Jack noted with a smile, "Well, this matter is settled. We need make a few radio calls to Mom and Dad."

Soon it was all set. As Jack said, Tarzan was very insistent that Lloyd and Louise take their time together as newlyweds. Jensen was very pleased to host the new couple on his ship in the extra set of officers' quarters, but Lloyd knew Jensen would be insufferable in lauding the virtues of taking voyages on a ship rather than fly in 'those cramped airplanes'. But it would be worth it. Lloyd and Louise were very grateful about this gift of a honeymoon together, and when Lloyd's new spouse joined them at the aerodrome with her luggage to leave with Lloyd to get over Jensen's freighter, she gave the Viscount a big hug.

Lloyd was very humbled, "Jack. I don't know what to say about this kind gift from your family."

Jack just smiled, "Just write a note to my Dad telling him 'thanks for the honeymoon gift'.That's all."

Louise complimented the Viscount, "You Clayton's are amazing people. The whole business always feels like we're all just a great big family."

Jack blushed a little, and only said, "That's the way Dad wants it. You two have a great time coming back. I'll tell Jensen to 'sail slow'."

The new married couple left and Jack and Jeanne made final preparations for the flight home together. Jeanne was already deep into the navigation charts plotting courses.

Jack was impressed with her work, "Jeanne, dear. Wow. You have us halfway home already."

She beamed at her husband, "If Captain D'Arnot trusts me to navigate the 'Destiny' on the high seas I darn well better be able to navigate a plane for you and for Lloyd. You don't expect me to just be a gawking passenger, do you?"

Jack just shook his head, "No, dear. That's never the way life has been between us. Both of us helping the other."

Jeanne smiled, "Exactly. I wouldn't be a proper wife if it was any other way."

It wasn't long before they were fueled, got the clearance to take off, and they were on their way home. They saw Jensen's freighter already at sea, and circled it several times before heading back inland across the deserts for the shortest way back to Scotland.

Their trip home, because they worked so hard together, was uneventful. But it wasn't without its perks along the way. Lovemaking on a blanket the clear cool desert sands under the amazing star-filled night skies was pretty spectacular on the many nights at the desert aerodromes.

In only a few weeks, the pair circled overhead at Castle Greystoke in the DH4, to the cheering and joy of the family and servants there. The family reunion was joyous, the telling of tall tales was exciting, topped off by the spectacular 'welcome home' celebration and banquet in the Great Hall. Their bed on the first night home was never more comfortable, particularly for a more private celebration that could only be done as a couple and the welcome sleep that followed.

The new adventure of the University was only days ahead.