Transition Plan Chapter 129 - School Days Part 5
Rated T for mild Gaelic cursing
...
The morning headlines of the local newspaper screamed:
Edinburgh's Most Wanted Criminal Captured!
Hopkins spewed his morning tea seeing the newspaper that featured McTavish's incarceration mug shot, looking like someone dropped a piano on him. Hopkins didn't know that a piano would have been softer than Jack dropping on McTavish. Hopkins read the location of the escaped mugging. It was only a few blocks from his and the Clayton's flats, and little was known regarding who he attacked and how they escaped. More mysterious was a lingering rumor that he was found subdued by his victim. The victim or victims of his latest crime were being invited to come to the Scottish Police station near campus to press charges against the man, already indicted on over a dozen other charges and a long time fugitive from the law.
"Oh cac-shiubhal," he said to himself, and became so nervous that he started to quake.
Hopkins instantly knew that Greenly was the object of McTavish's presence in the area and attack. Last night was scheduled to be her 'corrective action' as the benefactor promised after the academic probation action. He had assumed that one of the benefactor's minions would verbally persuade Greenly in some sort of blackmail. Hopkins had no idea that degree of force would be employed on Greenly. The Professor only knew of the brutish reputation of McTavish, one of the major donor's 'associates', but had fortunately never met the man. Hopkins knew that Greenly could have been killed last night. He realized he was in way over his head. This was not what he had in mind to punish Greenly. And if McTavish - or Greenly - talked, Hopkins was doomed. Hopkins' benefactor fiercely protected his anonymity, and had the power and influence to remain hidden. The professor wrung his hands, paced, and panicked over how to extricate himself from this very ugly situation.
…
Several floors above, six other people were awake and also discussing the same very ugly situation.
Jeanne invited the three men, "Please come in. Sit please."
The Sergeant of the Police answered, "No thank you, Viscountess. We have work to do, and we need you to help us with Professor Hopkins."
"B-b-but how did you know?" she fretted, not sure if the Police were here to arrest her and Jack, or to talk about the attack on her and Greenly.
The officer in charge of the thug's 'interrogation' explained a little more gleefully than he should, "After a little persuasion, that McTavish lad confessed what he did to Miss Greenly. When he mentioned his involvement with Professor Hopkins, we called the Chancellor immediately."
To the students' puzzled looks, Chancellor further explained sadly, "It's my agreement with the Police that if there is any crime done to or perpetrated by the University faculty, the Police will call me personally. No matter what time of day. Or night. The police learned from the criminal that the attack was planned on Miss Greenly and that it occurred near your flat. The man also described her two friends who 'attacked him'. When it was all explained to me, there was no question it was both of you. There's only one pair of students in the University where the young woman has dark skin and floor length hair, and has a male companion with a reddish beard and dreadlocks."
The implication that Jack and Jeanne attacked McTavis greatly concerned them, and Jack nervously asked, "Surely you don't think we…?"
"No of course not. McTavis is a world class liar. But we had to make sure. So we came here first," assured the Sergeant.
Another officer asked, "Are you all right, Miss Greenly?"
"I'm fine, sir. Thanks to Viscount and Lady Clayton."
The policeman turned his attention to Jack and Jeanne, "That was a fine bit of defense of your friend, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton, and you kept McTavish from bleeding out with your very professional field wound dressing. I'm not sure where you learned to defend yourselves, but it's most appreciated. McTavish is a much-wanted man. We needed him alive. Thanks for the 'citizen's arrest' after he attacked you."
"My father is a Colonel in the French Army and a Great War veteran and he trained us both," Jeanne answered proudly.
The Sergeant nodded in understanding, "That explains a lot, ma'am. I served too. Royal Army. Every veteran father could teach his children to defend themselves against criminals. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but you do need to come in and make some statements. You… umm… did leave the scene of the crime."
Greenly was defensive, "Does running away after being frightened out of our minds after getting attacked by a man with a gun, brass knuckles, and a spiked club in a safe neighborhood count?"
"Uh. Yes, ma'am it does. That's why we only need your statements."
Greenly was a little embarrassed by her anger and apologized, "Oh. I'm sorry, sir."
"It's all right ma'am. It's understandable," the Sergeant looked at them grimly, "Now here's what we need you to do…"
…
The door to Hopkins' flat vibrated as someone knocked on it angrily at the crack of dawn. He peered out the peep hole, and gasped at who he saw outside the entrance. Greenly, Jack, and Jeanne looked incensed.
"Go away," the professor demanded, talking through the door.
"We know what you did. Let us in, or we go to the Police," demanded Jack.
Hopkins relented, and into the flat the three rushed. Before Hopkins could react or close the door, Jack grabbed the Professor less than gently by the collar and shoved him into his sofa and the three students surrounded him. Jeanne had demanded Jack not grab his neck for fear of some charges being dealt to the Viscount. Jack was not happy to obey her request, but did it for the sake of all three of them.
Hopkins played completely innocent, "What is the meaning of this? I could press charges, Mr. Clayton. Not to mention disciplinary action. Miss Greenly, why are you here with them?"
Greenly demanded, "We want to talk about the study."
Hopkins lied, "What study?"
Greenly noted, "Don't try to lie that I don't know everything. Except I didn't know about the part of the study where I was attacked on my way home last night. Jeannie can tell you."
She shoved the newspaper in his face and accused, "We were the unknown victims."
Hopkins fumbled, "That's absurd. I had nothing to do with any attacks. I'm conducting a research study. How dare you challenge my motives for the study, or even think that violence is part of it. This guy is a known criminal roaming the streets of Edinburgh for years. You women were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time last night."
His lies were entirely unconvincing.
Jack growled at the Professor, who was sweating profusely, "And I suppose it's merely coincidence Greenly was assaulted by a thug who just happened to be near our flat and called her out by name. I don't think so. We're controlling the interview this time Professor Hopkins. We're asking the questions."
Hopkins threatened, "I have nothing to say to any of you. Go home and pray I don't report you to the Student Ethics Committee. Or the police."
Jack ignored his dismissal and threats, and demanded, "First, you'll take Greenly off probation. Return her full status as a student. She has done nothing wrong."
Greenly angrily addressed the professor, "I did everything you asked me when I signed up to 'observe' them months ago. I just won't do the things you demanded me to do that trap Jack and Jeanne. That was wrong. I told you that. I told them that."
Confronted with the truth, Hopkins slipped and admitted, "You promised me you'd never say anything to anyone about those plans."
Greenly snapped, "Well I wasn't going to. Until McTavish attacked me last night. And called me by name."
"And then admitted he was working for you," Jeanne stated coldly.
"That idiot," Hopkins muttered.
Jack ordered, "We're going to change the terms of the study now, Professor. Because you did."
"If I don't agree?"
"Then we're going to see the Chancellor."
The Clayton's and Greenly had him in a box, so he sighed and asked dejectedly, "What do you want me to do?"
Jeanne noted, "We already told you."
"What else?"
Greenly demanded, "Fire any of your other spies like me. How many are there?"
"Three others. What else?"
Jack and Jeanne flinched. They were being observed every minute of their daily life as students. That really angered them.
Jack snapped, "Conclude the study. Tell the Chancellor that the results of the study were 'intuitively obvious' after only a few months. You will announce the results at the end of this semester favorably for us. Let the entire campus know we're married."
Hopkins bridled, "Impossible! It's a three year study. The conclusion was timed for when you two graduate, in order to keep your marriage a secret the whole time you are here. You know that. You agreed to that."
Jeanne explained, "Just tell the Chancellor you have two outstanding students and you found no difference between our study habits and normal single students. Which you know is true already. Every week you put the results of our interviews and yours and Greenly's observations in that journal. And no doubt your other spies. We're doing better than any single students."
"That's blackmail, Miss Jacot."
Jack corrected the man firmly but respectfully, calming a bit, wanting to have the moral high ground of being reasonable in an unreasonable situation, "That's 'Viscountess Clayton', Professor. I hardly think so, sir. No, it's you who've been blackmailing us, Professor. We want to be free to be who we really are. We're just married students. Not the Pict hordes massing on the Scottish border. You want to keep your job here. You and the University are making us live a lie. Where's the ethics in that, sir?
It was his trap for them thrown right back at him, and Hopkins thought, "Damn them and their logic."
Greenly added with emphasis, "And I want to be free from harm, Professor. That thug knew who he was attacking. And admitted he was your guy. If my friends hadn't been there who knows what would have happened to me. There will be no more attacks on me. I am done being your stooge."
"I had nothing to do with that attack," he lied and added defiantly, "These claims and demands are preposterous. You're interfering with the results of a scientific study."
Jack cautioned Hopkins, "After tonight, I wonder how 'scientific' the Chancellor will think the study has become after tonight, Professor."
The professor sneered, "Do your worst, Viscount. The Chancellor will support my position. I don't condone violence, and I have him in my pocket. You three are as good as gone. And good riddance."
An elderly man familiar to the professor entered the room with the Scottish Police Service officers.
"You don't have to go to the Chancellor, Viscount Clayton, I'm already here. And I think I've heard enough. I am in no one's pocket, Professor. Least of all yours, and your despicable methods."
"Chancellor!"shouted Hopkins.
The officers immediately handcuffed Hopkins. He didn't struggle, but stammered, "Wait! I'm innocent. You heard these kids. They were blackmailing me. They have no proof. I'm just doing a study and they're angry about it."
The Sergeant of the Police interjected, "Not according to McTavish. He sang like a canary during interrogation. He was working for you when he attacked these students last night. Your 'study' has become a criminal conspiracy. This is now official police business, Professor – not science."
Hopkins hung his head dejectedly. It was all over.
Hopkins was shaking his head, his mind running a mile a minute. If McTavish pinned him with this, then their benefactor had abandoned and betrayed them both completely and remained in anonymity. Who was going to believe him if he blamed the man who controlled both of them if McTavish would deny it?
The Chancellor addressed all of them, "This sham is over, Professor Hopkins. I never meant for this to go this far. I wanted a study. Just a study. Not a 'set up' for failure for Viscount and Lady Clayton. To both of you, please accept my sincere apologies on behalf of the University. You have clearly distinguished yourselves, even restricted by adverse conditions designed to cause you to fail. I know what your grades are. I see your performance. You are both exemplary students and good examples to your peers and professors, and respected by everyone. This study is ended. We have an important announcement to make about a new era for the University is going: the inclusion of married students into our program."
The three friends clutched each other and shook the Chancellor's hand.
Hopkins moaned, "No. You can't! There's powerful people who won't allow it!"
"Then name them, Hopkins. Let's have an adult discussion with them about this. Who are these people who would prevent every student who wants to come to the University to do so? Married people don't have leprosy."
Hopkins was silent and looked away.
With a slightly victorious look, the Chancellor stated, "I thought so… I have been very wrong in my opposition to married students attending our fine University. And I was certainly wrong in leaving the study in your hands and your extreme methods. As far as I know I am still in charge of this University and I don't think I've seen a recall vote of 'no confidence' from the alumni yet. And if I do, I'll deal with the matter then."
The Sergeant asked politely, "If you're done here, Chancellor, we need to take custody of Professor Hopkins."
"Yes, of course, officers. Do what you must. I am embarrassed for the University because of Professor Hopkins' behavior," he noted, then asked, "Viscount and Lady Clayton, can we sit and talk some more?"
Jeanne replied graciously, "Of course, Chancellor. Let's go back upstairs and I'll make some tea and biscuits for us."
"That would be most kind, Lady Clayton."
The pair was most impressed with apparent complete change of heart in the Chancellor's attitude. Their face-to-face meeting had already influenced his opinion of them, despite his previous bias, but was appalled when Hopkins demonstrated his extreme prejudice against the young pair and his intent to do violence. The ultimate turning point in the Chancellor's mindset was when the Scottish Police called him in the wee hours of the morning after interrogating McTavish.
The Police carted off the Professor. They all exited the flat, the Police marked the door as a 'crime scene', and locked the Professor's flat for the investigative detectives to search the flat later that day. The Chancellor and three students ascended the stairs back to Jack and Jeanne's flat.
After a few sips and bites of their breakfast in an awkward silence, the Chancellor spoke, "This is delightful, Lady Clayton. You are quite the cook."
"Thank you, Chancellor," she blushed. Jack gave her a proud look.
He put his cup down and changed the subject, "Well, my dear students, it's time for some more serious business. We've had a bit of excitement early this morning."
Jack carefully spoke for both, "Yes, sir, you could say that."
"Viscount and Lady Clayton and Miss Greenly, you are most gracious to me after what you've been through. And without proper supervision of research gone completely awry, I almost allowed some terrible things to happen to you."
Jeanne stated seriously, "With all due respect sir, Jack and I have been through worse together."
Greenly felt suddenly out of place and suggested, "Maybe I should go now. I think this is just between the three of you."
With a note of realization, the Professor nodded kindly, "Yes Miss Greenly. Perhaps that is best. Do you need an escort across campus to your dorm?"
"It's daylight. I think I will be all right."
The Chancellor apologized, "I am sorry you had to suffer such mental stress and indignity, Miss Greenly, and be faced with the threat of violence. These men will be dealt with accordingly. I want to talk to you and your parents soonest. I am sorry you were duped and compromised. I'm going to waive your tuition and room and board fees the rest of your time here."
Greenly was overwhelmed, "I… I don't know what to say, sir. Thank you so much."
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Greenly. It's the least we can do. I hate to say it, but this was a hard lesson in real crime for a young woman headed into a degree in law. And a hard lesson for me in trust and integrity of the people we have as faculty."
"Thank you sir. Yes it was, but I don't blame you, sir, just Professor Hopkins. And me for being so gullible."
"I think we all fit into that category, Miss Greenly."
Jeanne and Greenly hugged, "Are you sure you're going to be OK?"
"Yes of course, Jeannie. I know have good friends whom I can protect me and the Chancellor himself is behind me all the way."
The Chancellor answered, "Of that you can be sure. Good day, Miss Greenly. Go to class as normal today. I'll be seeing the Dean of Students later this morning to redress your wrongful probation."
The three were alone. The old man sighed in humility and contriteness, "I'm not sure where I went wrong trusting Professor Hopkins. As you know, while I had a number of strong misgivings about married students, I never saw the signs of the Professor's study being used as a conspiracy. I did not intend that. His thesis was sound at the beginning. He's been such a good man for years…"
Jack showed the Chancellor their tolerance of the original study purpose, "You had good intentions. He's in charge of the whole Sociology Department. He's the expert. He was a natural choice to lead an important study on a major policy change for the University. We understood that going in, even if we weren't happy about it."
"You are quite understanding."
Jeanne added, "Someone influenced him outside of the University according to Greenly. She never ever knew who her benefactor was."
The Chancellor noted, "Someone untraceable I'm sure. The Police told me this morning that McTavish only implicated Professor Hopkins. It's ironic that a Professor of Sociology was himself a sociopath. I want to assure you that is not what our University is all about. And I worry whoever influenced Hopkins might trouble us again."
"We'll all have to be more vigilant, sir."
"Thank you Viscount. Yes, I guess we do. We will make the change no matter what. I am confident this enrollment policy change will be accepted by the vast number of people when they see how fine you young people are. You proved yourselves. But we can't be sure of the future. The alumni are unpredictable, and despite the freedom of expression and exploration we have at the University, they do influence the culture and direction of the University. You should attend a Board of Regents meeting sometime. This is the right way to go. If they want my resignation, they'll get it. Viscount, did you know they almost ran your Great Great Grandfather out of town when he opened the door to women students? But things changed for the better for the University right away. They will again. You will show us how."
"No sir, I was not aware of that. We understand completely Chancellor. We'll support you all the way."
"Thank you for your assistance. And now, my dear young people, let's make this right for you, and become the progressive university your ancestor envisioned nearly 75 years ago. Don't worry about any court trials. You are all three the victims. This is all my fault and I have to take any blame for wrong doing. I'll make sure the University Chief Counsel protects you if there are any legal ramifications from today. I need to call your parents too, and explain all this."
"It's OK, Chancellor. None of us knew. We tried to go along. What you asked us to do really wasn't really that traumatic, even if what you asked to do was to hide the true nature of our relationship."
"That you did, Lady Clayton. And I am grateful for that. You followed the rules we imposed to the letter. And now you're being good sports about what happened. And gracious me… what almost happened to Miss Greenly. I could never forgive myself..."
"Not to worry, sir. It's over. We just want to study and be a couple here and be an example to others, Chancellor. No more than that. You don't have to 'make it right'."
"Oh but yes I do. And if I may, in a positive way, take advantage of you young people again as an example to others with the special skills you have. Here's my latest proposition, one that I think you'll like…"
They got more and more excited with each word the Chancellor said.
…
In the huge natural amphitheater in the middle of campus, covered in fresh snow from the night before, most of the students had gathered to hear a special announcement by the Chancellor. There was a lot of snowball throwing, sledding on dorm food trays turned into makeshift sleds on the hill beside the amphitheater, and the students were building snowmen. Most everyone thought the Chancellor was going to give some kind of Christmas holiday address.
The Chancellor was mingling in the crowd greeting students, but eventually he started for the stage and podium. He helped his wife to her seat. A snowball flew past him on stage, but he actually caught it in one hand, and tossed it gently back into the crowd. The Chancellor was often seen as grumpy, but he was known to have a 'fun side'. There were rumors he was a real troublemaker as a student decades ago.
In the perfect natural acoustic conditions of the bowl of the amphitheater, he began his speech, "I was a student once, and I was also a champion snowball thrower. It's one of the side benefits of being a cricket bowler."
There was applause and a lot of snickering.
The other unstated side benefit is that cricket players were attractive to women students, and that was how the Chancellor started courting his wife. They joked about that often privately and seated near him, she just gave him that little smile.
He gripped the sides of the podium and stated seriously, "Greetings students, and Merry Christmas to all of you. The season never-changing is almost upon us. While Christmas never changes, some change is a good thing. Change often comes slowly, and with resistance, especially from within."
Everyone wondered where he was going with this. Except Jack and Jeanne. They were very excited, but withheld their emotions. Right now they were just two students immersed with the rest of the crowd.
"We all value the Code of Ethics. We ask you and our Professors to live by it daily. We do not excuse those who won't abide it. Sometimes we get confused. I, your Chancellor, in a moment's lapse of judgment, thought that tradition and the lack of change inherent in keeping tradition trumped Ethics. Stating the truth is the most important attribute of the Code. I have not been truthful with you, and forced two of our highest performing students to not be truthful either. I personally asked both of these students to live a lie under my imposition, because I thought protecting tradition was more important than being truthful."
A nervous murmur circulated through the crowd.
The Chancellor reminded them all, "Since 1878 the University had the foresight to admit women."
A universal cheer and applause went up especially from all the co-eds.
"We have many distinguished alumnae, including faculty. Many successful marriages came from friendships and social interactions that occurred among students in their academic careers here."
More cheers came from a number of betrothed student couples.
"But we have never taken the next logical step."
Everyone was totally silent.
"We have, since fall semester began last August, been conducting an experiment in social behavior. A secret experiment to see if a change in University policy was warranted. It was a secret so deep we erred in putting too many restrictions on something that should have no restrictions," explained the Chancellor, but then he paused, took a very deep breath, and stated clearly, "Among us today are our first married students."
There were whispers everywhere. Several well-known 'steady' and engaged student couples' names were called out by others from the crowd. Jack and Jeanne could hear their names called by fellow classmates and blushed, but showed no reaction. Perhaps they were that obvious even in secrecy.
"Yes, students. Our first married students are Viscount Jonathan Clayton and his wife of more than two years, Lady Jeanne Jacot Clayton."
There were instant shrieks of delight from Greenly, Edith, Hazel and several other close friends of Jeanne as they leaped to their feet. All of their other friends were open-mouthed in pleasantly shocked applause and cheering, and other student classmates who knew and respected them rose in a standing ovation for them. Bruce stood on his feet and, with many others on Jack's cricket team, and gave a huge shout of approval and praise as the realization dawned on everyone. There were a lot of revelations: (1) that Jack and Jeanne were married, (2) that they'd been married over two years, and (3) that they were both nobility since they were married.
The Chancellor called the couple forward to the podium, and the cheering got louder as they walked hand-in-hand and stood next to the Chancellor. He addressed them specifically, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"We were too cautious, and it caused you to live a lie among all your fellow students and my profound apologies to you and to the students I forced to lie to keep the secret. So today, I am declaring you the University's first married students. The first, but far from the last. I am declaring that enrollment is open to any married young couple who meets our entry requirements, starting with next semester."
On the Chancellor's cue, they removed their left hand gloves with their left hands aloft high in the air. On those hands were displayed their wedding rings, which caused an even greater cheer to arise.
"Furthermore, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton are hereby appointed as the very first co-Presidents of the Married Student Association that will be empowered to help with new married couples assimilate into the University, have fellowship together, help get housing, and assist with counseling and tutoring. My dear wife of 45 years and I will be the mentors of this new Association until a more suitable, younger professor and spouse team can be appointed."
"Way to go Chancellor!" came one lone yell, accompanied by a lot of laughter and then a chant to rhythmic clapping that resounded throughout the amphitheater, "45 years! 45 years!"
It took some considerable time for the praise to subside, which warmed both the Chancellor and his wife's hearts.
The electric crowd anticipated what would happen next as the Chancellor further stated, "While we will counsel the new Married Student Association, I intend to stand before our Code of Ethics Committee and be examined on this matter of conducting this secret study of married student behaviors, and if found wanting in that regard, I will step down graciously and support a new Chancellor."
Everyone stood on their feet for the Chancellor's bold move to face inquiry for any sense of impropriety as anyone else would be required. He took a brave stand that he was not above the Code of the University.
All of the students began an extremely loud chant: "Love our Chancellor! Love our Chancellor!"
The chant echoed across campus and the faculty joined in with the students. The clear act of respect and praise for the Chancellor brought the old man and his spouse to tears.
The Chancellor was visibly moved, and stood hand-in-hand with his spouse for the closing of the announcement, "May you all have a wonderful Christmas holiday," then added with a wry grin, "Don't forget to study for your exams in three weeks."
That was the only comment that drew a round of friendly booing.
The student chairman of the Ethics Committee and his faculty advisor looked at each other. Unless something truly egregious was found, they were determined to clear and justify the Chancellor's actions.
The Chancellor promise was complete, and he shook hands with Jack and Jeanne while all were still on stage, and both young people received a hug from his wife.
She said very graciously, "This Saturday night, I would like to invite both of you to our Chancellor's manse. I do so want to get to know both of you dear young people, and all about your wonderful marriage. You seem so strong together. And I'll tell you some embarrassing stories about Henry when we were students here and just dating."
"Gwendolyn!" the Chancellor stammered, red-faced.
With their hands still joined, Jack stood with Jeanne and said, "We graciously accept."
"What should we bring, ma'am?" asked Jeanne.
"I'll take care of everything, but thank you for asking, Lady Clayton. But come to think of it, if you have a favorite wine, Viscountess, we'd love to taste it," encouraged the Chancellor's wife.
"We shall do so, ma'am," Jeanne responded.
Jeanne knew exactly what to bring: that Riesling they'd been saving for a special occasion. Now that everyone knew of their marriage, the occasion was about as special as things could get for them. Jack just grinned. Jack knew what Jeanne planned without her saying a thing or using the connection.
Both couples were oblivious to the fact they were still being observed by most of the student population standing on the hill behind them, until another animated cheer began: "Kiss your wife! Kiss your wife!"
It was certain that chant was meant for both couples. Jack gave Jeanne an over-dramatically big smooch and Henry and Gwen did too, even to the point of dipping her in his arms as he did.
"Henry!" she exclaimed in embarrassment and excitement.
"I still have it in me!" he grinned at her.
Total laughter erupted, cheering and clapping broke loose. And mayhem. The first snowball whizzed between the young and elderly couples. They knew instantly who it came from. Bruce had a very satisfied grin on his face, with Edith standing right by her man. She stuck her tongue out at Jeanne and Jack in an unabashed taunt.
Taking up the challenge, Jack grabbed Jeanne in one hand and a slush ball in the other, ran toward them, and hurled the projectile full force into Bruce's face, where it exploded in a spray of water and snow particles.
Bruce screamed like a girl, and Edith nearly collapsed in laughter.
"'Take that!" shouted the Viscount defiantly at his engineer friend, with a huge grin at his successful shot.
Jeanne's eyes flew open in total shock at Jack's bullseye throw.
"Fights on! Bruce laughed, clearing the freezing cold slush out of his eyes, nose, and mouth, then hurling a snowball of his own at the Clayton's.
Jack and Jeanne fled up to the top of the hill dodging Bruce and Edith's onslaught, and Jeanne shrieked feeling a huge snowball hit her right between the shoulders from her friend.
Led by Jack and Jeanne's opening shot with Bruce and Edith, a joyous celebration erupted in an all-campus snowball fight, including the faculty.
The Chancellor hit the Dean of Students in the forehead, knocking his fedora off, and he laughed excessively at the indignant look he witnessed from the Dean.
Jack and Jeanne were all over the amphitheater throwing snowballs, tackling their friends, and making snow angels.
When it all settled down a considerable time later, the young pair thought they were alone. They made two snow people on the stage together to mark their 'debut' as a real married couple. They even made some makeshift wedding rings for the snow man and woman's wooden branch arms from nut husks.
With teary eyes, Jeanne said, "Oh Jack, I'm so happy. But we should have been doing this since we were eight. Not 20."
He held her and kissed her, "Whenever I am with you doing games together I feel eight again, Jeannie, and in point of fact we are playing as we were always meant to play. I think it means even more to me now."
She hugged him tightly with her eyes closed like she'd never let go, savoring the moment. No one could say her new nickname the girls gave her as endearingly as he could.
Edith and Bruce sneaked up beside them and placed two tiny snow children next to the snow people. They startled and broke their embrace, and smiled at their friends.
Edith said tenderly, "A snow couple wouldn't be complete without being a snow family."
Jack and Jeanne blushed deeply.
Bruce announced, "Dinner's on me tonight."
Edith suggested, "And we aren't going to sleep until we hear the entire story of Jack and Jeanne."
"It'll be a long night," Jack admitted with a raised eyebrow. Jeanne squeezed his arm affectionately.
"So be it then, dear friends," said Edith.
Jack and Jeanne held nothing back except the ultimate secret of their connection. Bruce and Edith were grateful for the absolute trust their best friends placed in them hearing the total truth. They vowed never to divulge anything of the Clayton's dual lives. Jack and Jeanne's explanations of Jeanne's eight year kidnapping and Jack's never-ending search for his true love, their jungle existence, their ape family, and friendships with animals were truly amazing to their friends. Bruce and Edith were particularly astonished at Jack's daring two year-long rescue of Jeanne as a stripper and a slave in Dar es Salaam, and their return on foot across Africa as newlyweds.
….
A few days later, cuddled in bed, Jeanne mused, seeing her name in the student newspaper in a feature article about the Married Student Association, "Wow. 'Madame President'."
"It's quite appropriate, cherie," Jack mused, as was his own title as co-President. It was the perfect leadership position for Jack for his major. They would forever be remembered as the Charter Co-Presidents of the MSA.
In the days that followed, Jack and Jeanne were delightfully deluged by students and faculty coming up to them on campus offering congratulations, and received a multitude of letters of support and admiration from students and alumni. The sweet letters of love and encouragement from their parents were the best of all.
A number of pleasant surprises happened after the announcement. Three couples came forward to the Dean of Students and admitted being secretly married and having to hide it by living in separate dorms or flats. Jack and Jeanne worked with the Chancellor and Dean of Students to find them a proper place to live together quickly. Jack and Jeanne also temporarily opened their own flat for the young married couples needing help to have a proper bedroom for a few nights stay with them and to get better acquainted. It was a brilliant move that endeared the Clayton's further to their fellow students and faculty.
Almost unnoticed were the results of the trials of McTavish and Hopkins, that the Chancellor, as promised, defended the Clayton's and the University. McTavish received a life sentence without parole for the multitude of his crimes, spared only from hanging by his testimony against Hopkins. Hopkins was jailed for twenty years. Immediately following his conviction, he was stripped of his teaching credentials, Professorship and Departmental chair position, and the University made a formal statement of disavowment of his methods. Hopkins could never teach again. The records of the secret study, deemed an invasion of Jack and Jeanne's privacy, were ordered destroyed by the judge.
Instead of condemning the Chancellor, University alumni praised the move, donated more money – much of it for the new married students. Letters of support poured in for the Chancellor's bold move, and the Board of Regents met in special session specifically to vote a declaration of confidence and commendation for the Chancellor's progressive decision.
Only one letter of hundreds that arrived the Chancellor kept framed on his desk. It was the Scottish Prime Minister's note to him: "It's about bloody time, Henry!"
Only a couple big benefactors dropped their support, but it was not a financial disaster because new donation money grew that more than covered the loss, much of it to support building a true Married Student Housing complex in less than two years, including plans to convert an area of the singles dorms where side-by-side bunks became bigger single beds and they converted some of the showers/bathrooms for private couples.
In the mean time, the flat complex where the Clayton's lived was to be bought in the spring using one massive donation and would be converted to Married Student Housing. It would be home to nearly 20 young couples, with Jack and Jeanne's flat atop it. Jack and Jeanne were excited about their expanded role to become de facto RA's to the other couples that would start moving in the spring and fall.
They received another million Pounds Sterling donation from Tarzan and Jane, who were very proud of their children, and two million from Professor Porter, and even a little gift from the Jacot's. Both families designated their contributions to be used for care of all kinds for married students.
In a radiotelegram from the treehouse, the cute message from Archimedes was:
"I want to leave as much as I can for you and your parents but I can't take the rest with me, dear ones, so here's a little gift to help you with all your fellow young couples. I'm so proud of you both. Love, Grandpa"
In celebration of all the amazing positive response to the inclusion of married students at the University, Jack and Jeanne threw a Christmas party – at their own expense – right after the end of exam week in the Student Union for married faculty and the secretly married couples and a host of others who now wanted to marry during the Christmas Holidays and come back to class married. All of their fellow students wanted to see the Jack and Jeanne's ancient ancestral rings, and everyone was very impressed with Jeanne's catering and entertainment, using the same talented band as for their marriage rededication. The Dean of the Consumer and Family Sciences School invited Jeanne to consider a minor in catering and restaurant management in addition to her accounting degree. She blushed, and with Jack's endorsement, agreed.
At the end of the evening's event, Jeanne and Jack invited everyone to come forward and decorate a special Christmas tree dedicated to the young married couples, those betrothed, and steadies that were planning to become engaged.
Jack and Jeanne were becoming very busy as leaders of the new Married Student Association, but never skipped a beat with their academics. They were immediately thrust into working with the Chancellor on receiving and managing the huge and entirely unexpected influx of donations for married student housing, care giving, and scholarships, especially those with great financial need having only each other.
MSA meetings and social events often occurred in their flat, with not only students but also professors. The Chancellor and his wife were frequent visitors to their University 'home'.
The night before they were scheduled to go home for Christmas to Castle Greystoke by train, they hosted the Chancellor and his wife alone at their place as a 'thank you' for the remarkable experience they were already having with the fundamental change to allowing married student couples. The two couples shared a tasty split of champagne Tarzan and Jane had shipped them as an early New Year's gift.
The Chancellor proudly hand-delivered their nearly straight-A grade cards to them, "Merry Christmas to both of you. These are not much of a gift, but you fine young people earned them."
Jeanne looked at both cards, and couldn't miss the opportunity she saw to tease her husband, "Jack! You got a 'B' in English Comp. I got straight A's in everything."
Jack just rolled his eyes, smiled and quipped, "Congratulations, 'teachers' pet'."
The Chancellor's wife thought their teasing delightful, but did mention one more thing, "My dear young people, we do have a proper gift, but it's really something else you earned. Tell them, Henry."
"Jack and Jeanne," he started, calling them by first names, "You two have had a remarkable first semester here, and are part of one of the most fundamental history-changing events here at the University. You have earned everyone's trust and respect. I would like to give you these, and ask you to be part of the Chancellor's Circle."
He presented them with the University Chancellor's Circle rings, given only to those students he deemed most worthy to receive them, and it was rare he did. Generally only graduating seniors received them, and became part of a small group of exceptional students the Chancellor drew upon for advice with student affair.
With extreme gratitude, the Chancellor continued to praise them, "I would have never from the beginning believed all this would happen for good. You are remarkable people. Thank you for building on what your Great Great Grandfather started so long ago. He was a visionary. You are too. I'm again sorry to have put you through such misguided trauma."
"It's all right Chancellor. It's all right now. It couldn't have worked out better," noted Jack, adjusting to the feel of the new ring on his right hand.
The older couple departed, leaving them alone, and they moved to be under the mistletoe.
Jeanne said affectionately, "I love you Jonathan Robert Clayton IV. You are an amazing man."
"As much as I love you, Jeanne Meriem-Marie Jacot Clayton. You're no less amazing. Merry Christmas, my dear."
"Merry Christmas to you, too…"
Not moving from the ancient symbol of love, Jeanne looked coyly at him, and asked in a teasing voice, "My dear husband, do you want to unwrap your favorite present now? Or later?"
"Yes…" he answered, and he tugged on her scarf to get things started.
"You big jungle jerk! What am I going to do with you?" she joked, reciprocating by removing his bow tie.
"After all these years together, you have to ask me that?"
They just smiled. Neither needed an answer to that with the tender intimacy that followed.
While their lovemaking had been memorable under the mistletoe, it was nothing compared to Jeanne 'regifting' herself for Jack again the following morning in their bed, complete with a gigantic red bow she put on. And nothing else.
They almost missed the last train to Greystoke before Christmas…
…
Authors Notes: This is my Christmas gift to my fellow readers of that faith, and a holiday greetings gift for those of other religions who read and enjoy this story. I so rarely get to time a story with the holiday (only one other fan fic I've ever written as a co-author with several other friends with a Christmas theme). Hope you enjoy! Since next Friday is Christmas in the States, I'm going to take the time off and not publish. I have a couple fun one shots to add to this current arc. And then we'll see where it all goes.