FSH: The New Baby 1/2

Posted on Mon Dec 22nd, 2025 @ 7:36pm by Gold Rider Lana & Jr Journeyman Senabena & Sr Journeyman Bensen & Sr Journeyman Sena

Mission: 3531 AL
Timeline: M3 D26

Lana was exhausted but she was happy as she held a tiny bundle in her arms as she slowly stepped out into the corridor. The music had finally stopped in the distance and the Hold now felt so much colder than it had candlemarks before despite the fires she knew would be burning in the rooms all around them. She looked around at the figures slumped in chairs not willing to go to bed despite suggestions and offers that someone would wake them.

A'ren had stayed awake, wanting to make sure the others were alright. He was used to running on no sleep sometimes as a rider so he was still awake when Lana came out with the baby. A smile touched his lips and he moved over to kiss her hair. “How is she?” He whispered.

“Not sure. I was given the baby whilst they worked on her.” Lana said gently as she saw Bensen pacing at the other end of the corridor obviously going through emotions that none of them other than A’ren could understand. “He looks like you after my poisoning.” She whispered giving him time to notice that she was there.

The Weyrleader sighed softly. That wasn't good news at all. At least the baby was safe. He followed Lana’s gaze and nodded. “Don't think he has stopped once.” He knew that feeling all too well.

Bensen hadn't been able to sit down or even think about sleep. All he could think about was Rena and how he could lose her. He couldn't lose her. He didn't notice Lana right away until he heard the soft voices and spun around. His dark eyes widened when he saw Lana with the baby. “Rena?” He asked, hurrying over.

“They are still working on her. She fell unconscious after being lucid enough to give birth to this little one.” Lana said gently, indicating the sleeping bundle in her arms. “Would you like to meet your daughter Lord Bensen?” She wondered softly trying to give him something to cling to.

“Daughter,?” Bensen repeated softly. “We have a little girl?” renewed tears sprang to his eyes. He was shaking from exhaustion and worry, but at least the little one seemed content.

“She looks perfect,” A'ren smiled, not commenting on Rena’s status. The young man needed something to cling to. “Congratulations.”

“Yes. A daughter. Sit down.” Lana instructed in the same tone she used on shocked riders and waited until he was firmly sat down and set the bundle into his arms as Senabena woke up at the voices so close and jumped up when she saw the baby. “She is perfect despite being early. I think Rena might have had her dates wrong and she was well over eight months cause she is small but she is not in danger.”

“Mother. Father.” Senabena commented leaving Nabon and Enabon asleep for now. Brenna had a drudge sat with her to be there if she needed anything.

Bensen numbly took his new daughter. She was perfect in every way and looked like her mother. Tears still slid down his cheeks. “She is perfect,” he whispered, hiccuping a bit. Sena woke with a start and turned toward her daughter. A smile touched her lips when she saw the baby.

Oben slowly shifted from his seat and moved to sit next to his son. E’bn was his youngest but he had left home at such a young age that Bensen and Oseben had seen a lot more of him growing up and he liked to think he had taken an interest in them all at right times. He glanced to his wife as he moved the blanket a little to look at the baby. “She is beautiful.” The Lord Holder confirmed as he awkwardly put his hand on the mans shoulder as the Weyrleaders stepped a little back to give them space.

Bensen just stared down at the baby girl, trying not to tremble. “She looks like Ren,” he whispered shakily, giving the baby a watery smile.

Sena felt awful for her son. There wasn't much she could do for Rena, but they could try to keep Bensen calm.

“She does but I also see our side of the family in her. She looks like Enabon as a child.” Oben assured quietly. His eldest had been the baby that had made him a father and every detail was itched on his mind.

“Let’s hope she doesn’t maintain that,” Enabon said waking blinking at the scene. He rose. “I will check on things.” He said with the authority of a future Lord Holder despite Lana shaking her head.

Bensen managed a slight chuckle as he snuggled the baby against his chest. “Either way she is perfect,” he whispered. “Now if her pretty momma would…wake up.” ”

Lana said nothing in response and just sat down opposite to watch the man and baby carefully. She stayed there for a moment before Enabon came out looking annoyed. “They will not tell me anything as I am not close enough relative.” He said shortly. Lana hide a smirk a little that the healers would not put up with Holder’s trying to force stuff.

“Hey baby girl,” Bensen whispered. “Just wait til Bre meets you. She will be so excited. As will your mommy.” He barely heard Enabon's words as he concentrated on the baby in his arms. He couldn't let himself think about Rena and how no one had told him anything.

Sena shook her head a bit. “They’ll tell us as soon as they can.”

Enabon made a face but conceded sitting down on Senabena’s other side wrapping an arm around her protectively. “Did you think of any names for her Bensen?” Lana wondered softly keeping the thoughts of the family on the baby and not the harper who had been fitting the last time she had seen her before she had been bundled out with the baby.

Bensen looked up at Lana’s question and slowly shook his head. “We wanted to honor Oseben but hadn't figured out a name,” he admitted. It was hard to pick a name when they hadn't known if it was a boy or girl. He closed his eyes tightly for a minute, trying not to dwell on the fact Rena wasn't there

Lana glanced at Lady Sena and offered a sad smile as her mind tried to wander to the what if but she said nothing more. This was why she drunk her moon tea as she was not convinced her body could have another baby after the trauma of the last 2 pregnancies. “I am sure that you can have that conversation later on. She will not mind being called little one or baby for a while.”

Sena gave Lana a questioning look. She had a really bad feeling as Lana wasn't saying much.

“Guess so,” Bensen agreed. “Is that okay with you little one?” He asked the tiny baby still snuggled in his arms. He couldn't stop thinking about Rena though and how none of the healers had come out yet.

“Can I hold her while you go and check on things?” Oben wondered quickly seeing the man’s eyes and mind wandering to see what was happening inside. “She will be safe with us all. And I am sure Weyrwoman Lana will correct us if we are wrong but after six of you I am sure I will be okay.” The Lord Holder was not a stranger to parenting despite his status but he had his wife there who had done much more parenting.

Bensen looked over at his father and nodded. “Thank you,” he answered, carefully transferring the tiny baby to his father's arms. He knew the little girl would be safe.

He pushed to his feet. “I'll be back,” he said softly, feeling emotionally drained.

Enabon rose to come with him if he wanted it. “Would you like me to come with you?” He offered quietly. They did not always see eye to eye and they certainly had not over Rena but it did not feel right letting him face inside alone.

He looked at his brother in surprise. He hadn't expected that offer but found himself nodding. He wasn't sure if he could handle any bad news on his own. “Thank you,” Bensen answered quietly.