KH: A Gather Wedding Part 3

Posted on Thu Apr 17th, 2025 @ 7:17pm by Sr Journeyman Rena & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D29

Rena sometimes felt privileged to live on the south continent and not up north when it came to days like today when even as dusk had been and gone it was not that cold and the glows that were hiding around trees and in flower beds gave the illusion that dusk was a permanent state. The gardens had been amazing even as they walked through the trail for the second time neither of them spoke for a long time before Rena finally spoke up.

“I have a question for you.” She asked finally, having gotten to a thread in her head where she needed his input instead of just enjoying the comfortable silence. “Our living arrangements.”

Bensen enjoyed the quiet as they walked. It felt perfect and not at all forced. It was like they had been doing it for Turns. He turned at her question though. “Living arrangements?” He repeated. “Hmm I honestly had not thought that far ahead.” everything had happened so quickly.

The woman laughed a little as leaned against a tree for a moment resting a little. Today was the busiest she had been in months and it was making herself and the baby out of sorts a little now things were calming down. “Well we kind of do need to think about it.” She said still smiling.

The young man flushed in embarrassment. “You are very right. Should we talk to Brenna first so we don't spring even more changes on her?” He wanted the little girl to be happy and if that meant he stayed in his room for a while then so be it.

“We will need to speak to her but is that something that you want to live with us properly?” She confirmed. “I could ask to see if Nabon will swap rooms with us so it is a fresh start for all of us? Or we could use the Harper rooms if you are happy to live a little apart from family.” Nabon had the other family quarters despite having no family on account to being the next oldest after Enabon.

Bensen slowly nodded. “I would like to, yes,” he answered. He just hadn't wanted to push her. “A fresh start might be good. I don't mind being away from the family if you would like the Harper rooms.” Bensen was happy anywhere she was..

“We can see when we are home. Nabon offered before but I did not have the mental capacity to think on it all but I have been with mind healers since that conversation so I think it might be time especially now we are married.” She admitted slowly. Some people had stigmas attached to mind healers but she thought they were some of thee bravest people she knew delving into things like that.

“Of course. Take your time. There is no rush on anything.” He knew they both still needed a bit of time and he also didn't want to upset Brenna if the little girl didn't want to move.

“I know.” The woman leaned up putting both her hands on his shoulders. “but I also want you to know you are wanted in our lives. You are Bre’s favourite adult other than me and your mother but everyone loves their grandmother.”

“Hard not to love your grandmother,” he agreed. Not to mention he knew Sena adored Brenna. “At least she likes me,” he smiled, looking down into her eyes. “And I know. We will figure it out.”

“It is going to be confusing but it will get figured out eventually but of course she likes you. You bribe her with Runner rides and do not think I do not see the dealings between the pair of you over bubbly pies and vegetables at dinner.” She said looking up at him. “But also you are pretty likeable Ben.”

“Now would I do that?” He laughed. Yes, yes he would, but he hadn't realized Rena had seen all that. “Thanks. I do try to be.” He thought for a minute. “Guess it will be a big sleepover for a while.” He didn't know how else to explain it to Brenna.

“For a bit, I suspect but she will understand eventually like I said she is very young.” It would eventually be like trying to remember a dream which in her opinion might be kinder in the long run. She had a chance not to be haunted by memories of an amazing man who was gone in the worst possible way. “It is most likely kinder to her.”

Bensen had to agree. Brenna and the little one Rena was carrying had it the easiest. Sure they would tell the children about Oseben but they wouldn't have that awful memory emblazoned in their young minds. He still had nightmares about that day. “I'm a patient man. And am very open to whatever room will be most comfortable for you.”

“Us but I understand.” She smiled up at him and let out a small sigh as she bit her lip trying to work out how she was so lucky. She was getting a second chance at love and life if she could be kind to him.

“Us,” he agreed. “You know we can always let Brenna choose,” he teased. He reached up and ran a gentle hand through her hair. He still couldn't believe she had said yes.

“We would end up living in the stable if that was the case. I do not believe my body would appreciate hay bays for my bed,” She answered watching him reach down to run his hand through her curls. She closed her eyes, enjoying the touch.

“Hmm that's true,” he chuckled. “I would make sure you didn't have to sleep on a hay bale, but I get it. Bad idea,” he laughed. Bensen loved watching her face. She had been his best friend way before she was his wife.

“She’ll be happy once things settle.” She knew that it would be difficult but nothing worth anything was easy in life. She opened her eyes and caught him watching her. She raised an eyebrow still smiling. “What?” She whispered wondering how she had been so blind to his feelings before today.

“I know this will all take time,” he answered. Bensen completely agreed with that. He gave her a gentle smile. “I just like seeing how the emotions play across your pretty face,” he answered.

The woman smiled still up at him and nodded. “I am sorry I never saw your feelings for me until today.” She said gently. She knew she had apologised before but now it felt more important to say it.

Bensen slowly shook his head. “It's okay. You were grieving too. I was happy being your friend,” he assured her. He didn't blame her at all for not noticing.

“It was selfish of me as I am your friend too.” She told him gently leaning up to hug him down to her. “I won’t make that mistake going forward.”

He gently wrapped his arms around her, just wanting to hold her. “We got through it,” he said softly, kissing her hair.

Rena smiled at the kiss in her hair. He was being sweet which she had always known but more so than normal. “We did.” She had never thought she would touch another adult after the trauma of the last gather let alone be held by someone.

Bensen rested his chin on her head, just keeping his arms gently around her. “A lot has changed over the last seven months,” he said softly.

The woman shifted a little against him to relax a little as he leaned against her. “It has.” Some life altering and some that would have happened anyway. “But this change is not unwelcome Ben despite how it came about. I thought it would be but that kiss...” She finally said quietly.

He was surprised by Rena's words. he had wanted to give her time after losing her husband but that wasn't going to be, so her words helped settle his heart. Bensen smiled a bit. “It was quite a kiss,” he whispered, wanting them to stay relaxed.

“It was and it certainly sparked something.” She admitted glad she was able to say this without seeing his face. It was embarrassing to admit it when she had been so cold. How had her day gone from cold to warmth in candlemarks.

“The start of a new beginning,” he said softly. Bensen was ready for a new start. One where they could leave all the pain behind.

“Among a few things.” She added quietly before pulling back to look at him the blush evident on her cheek. She laughed awkwardly and removed her curls from sticking to him, putting them over her shoulder.

Bensen nodded. She was right. There were going to be a lot of changes but he was ready. “Think we can handle it together. “

“Without a doubt.” She said softly thinking she could ask where he was sleeping that night later. “Ready to face the music?”

“I think so,” he smiled.