FSH: Please

Posted on Thu Dec 25th, 2025 @ 12:52pm by Jr Journeyman Senabena & Sr Journeyman Rena & Sr Journeyman Sena

Mission: 3531 AL
Timeline: M3 D28

Sena quietly walked down the hallway toward the infirmary . She knew Bensen wouldn't be happy with her when he first woke up but once he had time to think about it he would realize the rest was good as Rena had hoped.

The Lady Holder quietly slipped into the rooms, not wanting to wake Rena if the girl was sleeping . She did want to check on her and the baby though.

Rena looked up as the door opened expecting it to be another healer or Bensen sneaking back in thinking she was resting or something when she could do nothing other than just hold her baby and refuse to take her eyes off of her. She smiled when she saw Lady Sens and relaxed. The healers had requested that she lay down and rest but she was adamant that she wanted to make up for missing the first 2 days of her baby’s life. “Hello Sena.” She greeted holding out a hand to the older woman.

Sena smiled when she saw the Harper was awake. She made her way into the room. “Hello dear. It is good to see you awake,” she said softly, finding a chair close to the bed and sitting down. Rena looked better than Sena had been thinking she would. The young woman was a fighter.

Rena smiled and lay her hand on the womans as the baby stirred a little but she soon settled. “I am glad to be awake. I had no idea what was happening.” She admitted looking back to the baby. “But she is here and she is beautiful. Thank you for looking after her when I was too unwell. We own you so much.”

Sena gave her hand a gentle squeeze of comfort. “It might have been better that way,” she admitted, thinking about what the Healers tried to explain. “You did miss a very stunned look on your husband's face though when the Weyrwoman handed him your daughter.” She shook her head. “You owe us nothing, sweetheart. We are family and that precious little one was no trouble to look after.”

“I owe you everything Sena.” But she indicated that it was a conversation for another day. “I vaguely remember labour but it is like a dream. And I would have loved to see Bensen’s reaction. He is resting right?” She had not missed the hurt expression from him but hoped that sleep would help him.

Sena wasn't going to push that conversation right now. She knew Rena still needed rest. “You did well, sweetheart. You and the baby made it through.” The Lady Holder nodded. “not without a fight of course. I finally added a bit of fellis to his wine. He'll be grateful once he's had a chance to think about it.”

“It was going to happen. I do not believe I was made for carrying children. I do not know how you did it with six.” Rena admitted softly as she stroked the little baby’s cheek. “And thank you for doing that. He will be and hopefully does not hate me for sending him to rest properly.” She could. It let him burn out when he was very much needed.

Sena nodded in understanding. Pregnancy didn't sit well with everyone. “Well you have two beautiful girls,” she pointed out before smiling. “It was a lot, but each one was different.” Thankfully she hadn't suffered through her pregnancies. “He won’t. Once he's slept he'll realize why you did it.”

“I know. I think I finally realise what Oseben tried to tell me.” She whispered softly thinking back to after her last miscarriage where Oseben had told her about adoption and begged her to not continue his quest for children. She knew Bensen would accept it but even so she worried that it would lead to their new relationship fracturing.

“He did know what he was talking about sometimes,” Sena chuckled softly. She knew having children had always been something that Rena wanted but it seemed like it wasn't meant to be. “you know Ben will be thrilled with Brenna and this little one?” She pointed out softly. Bensen had doted on Brenna since the little girl was born.

“It was normally the runners.” Rena laughed a little to herself as she glanced to Sena. “I know for the most part.” She assured but that would be a conversation for the future. They needed to work out how to be a family of 4.

Sena laughed. “Yes they live and breathe those runners,” and smiled. Not that she didn't appreciate the runners. She enjoyed a nice ride. She gently squeezed Rena’s hand. “You just concentrate on yourself and that little one.”

Rena nodded. She was going to concentrate the best she could now she was awake. “I have just realised something …what animal was your speciality?” She wondered quietly, thinking she had never asked that before. All her sons other than Nabon were for the Runners and Senabena was more into animal medicine.

Sena was glad to see that Rena was trying to relax. The Lady Holder chuckled a bit. “Herd beasts believe it or not,” she answered. “I also worked with the animal healers but fell in love with the runners after I got married.”

Rena nodded. That all made sense when she thought about it all. She had never had anything to do with any type of beast craft before she was stationed at Far Site. It had changed her perspective on Pern. “I can see that.” She smiled a little more. “How do you do it all?” She wondered quietly as the baby opened her eyes and Rena got a proper look at her beautiful eyes.

“Do what?” Sena asked softly as the baby woke more. Despite everything the baby had been very content. She had only really fussed when she was hungry and thankfully taken to the bottle easily enough.

“Mother. Wife. Journeyman. Lady Holder. Grandmother.” Rena asked, smiling at the baby as she stroked her cheek. She did not seem hungry just awake and wanting to see what was happening.

“Oh that?” Sena asked with a soft chuckle. “It takes time, dear. Trust me I made my fair share of mistakes. I still make mistakes but all you can do is push on and learn from it.”

Rena smiled at the tone in the woman’s voice and looked up as the door opened and Senabena stuck her head around the door. “Up for a visit from me?” She wondered quietly, having considered bringing Brenna with her but she thought Bensen would want to be there when the little girl met her sister.

Sena turned at the door and smiled at her daughter. “We haven't worn you out too much have we?” She asked Rena. She knew Rena needed rest but she also knew Senabena had been anxious to see Rena.

“No. Please come in Abe. This little one I am sure would love cuddling with her Auntie as much as her grandmother.” Rena could not help but smile at how happy she felt surrounded by women. She had never grown up surrounded by women, Harpers yes but not just women supporting women. Senabena grinned and practically skipped over to sit next to her mother.

Sena chuckled at her daughter. Senabena hadn't really wanted to give her niece up once she had a hold of her. It was nice to see everyone happy though. Rena had given them a real scare earlier.

“What?” Rena asked quietly as she shifted a little feeling how her body suddenly began to ache more as Rena slowly passed the baby to Sena.

“Just thinking how nice this is,” she answered as she gently took her granddaughter in her arms. The baby was adorable. “She has your eyes,” Sena commented.

“I cannot see anyone in her other than all of you but thank you .” It was not like she had anyone else to look at and see the resemblance. She had her own reflection and vague memories of her parents' faces were fading by the turn but hit was not the same.

Sena looked up at Rena, giving her a gentle smile. She knew the younger woman had lost her parents. Rena had been through more than anyone should ever have to face. “Trust me she does,” the Lady Holder grinned.

“I trust you. You know babies and me.” Rena said smiling as Senabena shifted a little before she let a sob. “Whatever has happened?” Rena asked shifting a little and patted the bed next to her and gathered the teenager in her arms.

“I thought you were going to leave us.” Senabena sobbed.

Sena cringed as her daughter broke down in Rena's arms. They had all been afraid they were going to lose Rena. Bensen had nearly lost his mind and Sena hadn't been sure they could have talked him down. She gently rocked the baby letting Rena calm Senabena down.

“I am right here sweet girl.” Rena said gently thinking of the gangly girl she had met four years ago who had been all legs and unsure. “Please stop crying. I am so sorry I scared you.”

“It’s been eight months of worrying. I can’t lose you, you are my big sister.” She whispered finally hiccuping as he tears stopped.

Sena smiled as she listened. “She is right, dear. We had all been worried.” She had known a little bit of Rena's issues with carrying a baby to term and she had tried to watch without interfering too much into their lives.

“I am sorry. I guess I got so focused on keeping this little spark of Oseben alive and so forgot about myself.” She explained stroking Senabena’s hair. “I needed to not fail like I have so many other times.” She added quietly.

“You have never failed, Rena,” Sena said gently. “Oseben loved you dearly and never wanted for anything but for you to be happy. And Ben is the same. That little one will be one more reminder of the love this family has and how we have survived,” she said, letting the baby grip her finger.

“I did. I failed in carrying children …” Rena started.

“Please do not have any more children.” Senabena whispered quietly.

“That is not a conversation with you.” Rena said smiling despite the teenager's gaze and pleading.

Sena frowned a bit. “That is not a failure. It happens to more people then you realize,” she pointed out gently. She had had a couple miscarriages of her own but she was sure Rena didn't want to know that. “And you are still here which is the most important thing.”

Rena wanted to explain more but she really did not want to bring the mood down anymore. “I am. And I am planning to be for a long time for my husband and my girls and all of you.” The woman assured squeezing Senabena closure for a moment as the girl remained silent silent.

“That is good to hear because we don't want to lose you.” Sena knew Rena was trying. Hopefully now though she would relax a bit and just enjoy watching Brenna and this little one grow up.