HR: After the Questions

Posted on Sat Jul 5th, 2025 @ 2:43pm by Sr Journeyman Rena & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: High Reaches
Timeline: M2 D29

It had taken Rena a candlemark or so to get Brenna asleep as she had more and more questions as the day went on that she had wanted to ask. But eventually even she could not fight the sleep and she fell asleep with a soft lullaby from Rena. The harper walked several long moments before she ventured back out to the dimly lit room and the man who was patiently waiting. She stood watching him for a moment and smiled. He was so patient and sweet. He had been so kind the whole afternoon making sure that Brenna was front and center but now much like her daughter she was exhausted and had been since she had come back.

“It’s not always like this.” She assured him, smiling at the goblet of wine he had and the juice he had brought her.

Bensen's head was spinning from all the questions that Brenna had come up with. He had never expected the little girl to have so many questions. Not that he could blame her. Her world was changing once again. He had slipped out to get drinks while Rena put her daughter to sleep. It had been a tiring day but enjoyable too.

He gave her a smile. “It's okay. It's a lot of changes for her,” he answered. “Come sit down. You look exhausted.”

Rena smiled at the man as he instructed her in a kind tone to sit down. She had no strength to do anything other than agree. “I am exhausted. I have been exhausted since I came back. I should have had that nap earlier.” She sighed sitting down on the sofa heavily leaning back putting her hands on her bump.

He pushed the glass of juice toward her. “Anything I can do?” He asked gently. He would have to talk to Nabon and see if his brother was still okay with moving rooms. There was so much to do he didn't even want to think about it.

The woman took a look at the glass and decided she was happy where she was for now. “You have done enough. So how did day one go of being a step parent go?” She wondered smiling.

Bensen took a sip of his wine. “Exhausting,” he laughed. “But I loved every minute. Do you think Bre is alright with all this?” He reached over to Rena's hand.

“She is. She is trying to work it all out in her head which leads to a lot of questions.” Rena assured, turning her hand over to weave their fingers together on her stomach. “You are a great uncle. It’s not much different, just less being able to hand her back at the end of the day.” She teased him.

“She did have a lot of questions,” he chuckled. Some he had no idea how to answer or where she had even come up with some of the questions. “Oh I don't wanna hand her back,” he grinned. “That little girl is always going to be loved.”

“She will calm down eventually and the questions become less but you did very well. Her biggest question is that she is just checking that she is still very much loved, which we both know she is.” Which in Rena’s opinion is the most basic of any question. ”Once things settle down for her again until the baby arrives.” She rubbed her eyes realising that there would only be a short reprieve between that.

“She is definitely loved,” he agreed. He couldn't imagine not loving the little girl. And then the baby coming was definitely going to be another big change. “We'll just have more to love than,” he said.

“We will.” For the first time since last winter and finding out she was pregnant she was not actually scared of the labour and what the baby would bring. She but her lip trying to not let out a sob that wanted to escape at the realisation of it. She stayed quiet for a moment looking away. “Just be prepared for that moment your heart gets bigger.” She advised.

Bensen smiled. “That is a real thing?” He asked. He had never had any children of his own, but he had heard people use that expression before. “I must admit I can't wait. And you be sure to tell me if you need anything.”

“It is. It’s different for me and mothers from my experience. I have loved my babies from the second I felt them kick. It is different for their fathers. They do not get the same experience but Oseben's face lit up the moment he held Brenna.” She admitted and slowly pulled his hand flat against her stomach to where the baby was currently making their presence known.

He had heard some people talk about that but never really knew for sure. Oseben had never said anything but he had doted over his daughter and wife. Bensen’s eyes widened in shock as the baby kicked his hand. “The baby kicked?”

Rena smiled at the way his eyes grew wide in understanding. “Yeah. They have been a little active the last few days. I believe that is because I have been active.” She had spent the last few months not moving or doing anything compared to the last few days.

“Does it hurt?” He asked, still in complete awe. He had a lot to learn that was for sure. At least Rena seemed willing to help him along.

“Sometimes. Like this morning when he or she got their foot trapped under my ribs or where they repeatedly kick an organ.” She moved his hand a little left to where the kicking continued. “You sound stunned.” She said stroking his cheek feeling the stubble under her fingers.

“Guess I am a bit. Oseben never talked much about it and I have never had children so I am very much a novice at this,” he admitted softly, giving her a smile. He grinned again as the baby kicked his hand again. It was so amazing.

“That will be because he lived in terror with me having Brenna and I have not had much luck having children since. He begged me to stop trying to and for us to adopt but I felt it was a failure on my part.” Rena pointed out letting go of his hand to let him stay or move his hand as he wanted.

“I never realized, Ren. I am so sorry. I didn't realize you and Ose were suffering like that.” His brother never said anything. He kept his hand gently on her stomach. “you're not a failure.”

“He never knew until the last time when you and your mother found me in the classroom.” Rena said gently as the baby kicked harder. It was hard to ignore his gaze when he was looking at her that way. “I was… I am… not able to keep a baby alive until her husband is dead.” She rolled her eyes wishing she could drink the wine.

That explained a lot. He remembered finding Rena like that. Had scared him badly. “Oh Ren. Ose would never think you were a failure. He loved you.” He grinned as the baby kicked. “And I love you.”

“I know you do Ben and I am thankful for you.” She whispered softly looking at him and wishing she could explain her conflicts. “Oseben would never think that indeed. He was too nice about it all, blaming himself and offering to adopt children but it was in my head the failure. I put it all on myself.”

He turned to face her so he could see her face. “You are no failure. No matter what you say I will never think you are a failure.” He knew she had had some issues but they weren't her fault.

“I know, you are too sweet and kind to think that. Your whole family is as I said it’s me and the pressure I put myself under thinking I needed to give Oseben heirs.” She whispered, looking away from his gaze. She didn't want to see the pity or worry for a moment. She touched his hand and leaned over to grab her juice taking a sip.

Bensen just nodded. He had a feeling at the moment she wouldn't believe him anyhow. He would just continue to show her that she wasn't a failure and that she was perfect the way she was.

Rena sighed and scrubbed at her face as she realised she had turned the mood of the evening. “Sorry I am exhausted. Ignore my moods.” She shook her head trying to move on. “What do you have on tomorrow?” She wondered quietly thinking she had to get back to running classes.

“Don't worry,” he smiled. “It's been a long couple of days.” He was tired himself and he imagined she had to be. “I'm gonna have a talk with Nabon for sure and then see what kind of hidework I need to catch up on.”

“Okay.” She lay her head back on the couch and just held the glass containing the orange juice for a long moment before she sighed. “I am going to have to go to bed. I know it early but I can barely keep my eyes open.”

Bensen gently took the glass from her. “If your body says it's tired than by all means listen to it and go to bed,” he said gently. “I have a few things to check on before I turn in for the night.”

“It is telling me to go to bed.” The woman smiled at him as she slowly rose from the couch leaning over to kiss his forehead gently. “Are you coming to sleep here or valuing a night alone?” She asked lightly as she set about finding something to sleep in.

He smiled a bit. “Would I bother you if I came back? If so, I can sleep in my rooms. I don't want to disturb anyone.” He knew Rena needed her rest.

“Unlikely. I feel dead on my feet.” She assured him knowing that would worry him but also drive the point home. “I would not have asked if either was wrong.” There was no right answer either way to her.

Bensen wasn't thrilled by her words, but he did understand her being tired. A lot had been happening. He nodded a bit. “I'll see how late it is. If it's not drastically late I'll join you.”

“Okay then… either way I’ll see you in the morning” She smiled at him and came back to where he was sitting and leaned over to kiss him softly at the very least saying goodnight to him. That was the wifely thing to do at the very least.

“Sounds good. You sleep well.” He returned her soft kiss, hoping she got some sleep. At least Brenna was sleeping.