The New Baby 2/2

Posted on Mon Dec 22nd, 2025 @ 7:37pm by Sr Journeyman Rena & Sr Journeyman Bensen

Mission: 3531 AL
Timeline: M3 D28

Rena could feel the heaviness in her body that had told her she had slept for a long time. She could remember pain and then darkness. What had happened? Was the baby okay? Had she failed at this stage like she had so many times before? She could remember she had needed the bathroom and then nothing properly other than demands and people rushing around her in a blur. She could hear someone whispering something in the distance but it was so far away that it took her so long to work out that it was someone whispering to her as she opened her eyes she could see it was Bensen sat there bent over holding her hand.

Bensen had nearly lost it when the Healers had tried explaining to him how bad Rena was. If Enabon hadn't been there he probably would have lost it completely. Instead he now found himself sitting next to Rena's bed mumbling about nothing really and just hoping she would wake up. “Oh Ren,” he whispered. “You have to wake up. Our daughter is gorgeous and waiting to meet her sweet momma.”

“Ben…” She finally mumbled licking her lips as woke up enough to speak but not where she was or why she felt so heavy. Hadn’t she been dancing? She tried to remember the last thing she had been doing clearly and it had been talking to the Weyrleaders when she had felt that pain under her ribs again.

The young man looked up quickly. “Rena,” he breathed in relief. “Oh sweetheart,” he crooned. “You're safe now.” He gently ran a hand through her hair to hopefully help soothe her. He had thought for sure he had lost her.

The woman closed her eyes at the hand through her hair and resisted the urge to keep her eyes closed and go back to sleep. Safe? Had she not been safe? What had sharding happened? “What happened?” She whispered, opening her eyes looking at him confused as she tried to make sense of it all and looked around a bit more. She was in the infirmary in the Hold but one of the private rooms.

He cringed a bit as he considered how to answer that. “We almost lost you,” he said slowly. “But you and the baby are safe. She is beautiful.” Bensen didn't really understand what had happened despite the healers trying to explain it.

Rena shook her head before she looked around confused. “I do not know.” She admitted softly as her hands shakingly moved to her bump and felt how much smaller it was but how tender it felt.

He moved a hand to twine with her fingers. “easy, love,” Bensen soothed. “Our baby is safe. You passed out and they had to take the baby to save both of you,” he whispered, starting to get choked up as tears showed in his eyes.

Rena blinked as tears started to fall as she realised what happened. “I do not remember. I just remember talking to the Weyrleaders and then needing the bathroom.” She admitted. “I think I also remember vaguely giving birth.” She could vaguely remember the rush of pain and the healers instructing her to push but she had felt so weak.

The Master Healer came in hearing a female voice and smiled with relief. “You are awake Lady Rena.” He said glancing to Bensen.

Bensen sniffed a bit. The no sleep and worry were wearing him down. He turned as the Master Healer came in. The young man still looked a mess but at least Rena was awake.

Rena squeezed Bensen’s hand tightly and looked at the Healer. “Our baby?” She demanded attempting to sit up as the Master Healer rushed forward to move several behind her so that she could sit up.

“Hey hey,” Benson soothed, surprised by the strength in her grip. “She is just fine. Dad has her,” he said gently, moving to help her as the Master healer got the pillows behind her.

Rena shook her head as she was helped to sit up. “I want to see her. I need to see her.” She demanded as she winched at the pain shooting through her body that she recognised from after having Brenna. It was the pain of giving birth and her body had very much done it.

“Easy,” Bensen said worriedly. “If you promise to settle down I can go get her,” he said, pushing to his feet. of course Rena still had his hand so getting their daughter wasn't exactly easy to do.

Rena nodded weakly as she allowed the healer to settled her back on the cot and fussed around covers. “She'll be fine.” The man assured as he watched the young woman let go of his hand with a pained expression that she did not want to.

“Won't be long,” he promised, slipping out of the room. He soon found his family and breathed a sigh of relief. “She's awake,” he answered, choking up a bit.

Oben rose from his chair by the fire in his set of rooms where they had moved from the corridor and hugged Bensen to him. “We are all relieved.” The Lord Holder really was relieved he did not want his son a widow so soon after marrying nor to lose the kind harper who had stolen 2 of his boys' hearts it seemed.

Bensen broke down in his father's arms. he had been trying to hold it together for so long now that he just couldn't help it any longer. He finally managed to settle down a bit. “She wants to see our little girl,” he whispered.

Oben had not expected the man to break down but held him close until he settled down. He glanced at Sena and offered a sad smile. It was better with them than breaking down in front of his wife or brothers. His sister glanced up from where she was glancing at the crib that had the baby in. “As she should. She is a great mother.” Oben commented, pulling back. “Are you okay?” He wondered.

Sena smiled sadly. their poor boy. At least this one had a good ending.

Bensen slowly nodded as he wiped his face. “Yeah,” he said softly. He did feel better. He slowly pulled away from his father and walked over to the crib. “Hey baby girl,” he cooed. “Ready to meet your mama?”

Oben was not convinced but said nothing. He knew his wife would challenge Bensen if she thought it was anything worse. The little baby was sound asleep but Senabena rose and smiled and squeezed his arm. “It is going to be fine. Let us know when Rena would like visitors.” She requested eager to see the woman and check for herself that the woman was okay.

Sena sighed as she watched her son. He definitely was not alright but she also knew he needed to be with his wife.

Bensen smiled sadly down at his daughter. He knew he should be happy but he was exhausted and worn out. He nodded to his sister. “I will,” he promised, carefully picking up the tiny baby and cuddling her against his chest.

Rena was drifting in and out of sleep but she was refusing to go back to sleep and rest until Bensen came back with their daughter. Her face changed from annoyance to sadness to fear as she spotted the bundle cuddled against Bensen as he came back in. The master healer stepped back to give them privacy.

Bensen gave his wife a smile as he walked over next to the bed. He sat on the edge so Rena could see the baby. “she's a perfect sweetheart and healthy,” he assured her.

Rena took the baby and held her against her chest feeling the ache in her heart fading by the second as she took in the baby that she had fought every second since Oseben’s death to keep safe. “She really is.” Rena whispered not able to look away from the little girls face as she woke up.

Bensen smiled. He was so happy to see Rena awake and happy. Their baby girl was perfect if a little small, but she would grow. “she looks like you,” he said softly, leaning over to kiss Rena's forehead.

Rena looked up at him at his kiss on her forehead and smiled sadly before she looked back at the baby. “She does. But she also looks like you all, the way she squints her nose is Senabena.” Rena finally relaxed a little more and settled back on the pillows.

“You won’t be able to breastfeed Lady Rena but she has been taking a bottle no issue.” The master harper stated as the baby stirred more and started to twist a little bit to indicate how hungry she was going to get soon.

Bensen laughed softly. “That is definitely Senabena,” he agreed, smiling now. “and my lovely sister says to let her know when you feel up to company. They’ve all been worried sick as well.”

He reached over to play with the baby’s tiny fingers. “Looks like she might need a bottle soon,” he commented. He didn’t know much about human babies but he understood runners and knew they needed to eat frequently.

“How long have I been out?” She wondered.

“Three days Lady Rena.” The Master Harper said. “We … you and the baby were unwell but you seem to not have suffered any serious effects as we had worried about.” The master harper smiled and touched her leg before he left to get the bottle.

Three horrible days in Bensen’s mind. he had thought he would lose both of them in one day. He scrubbed at his face briefly as the Master Healer explained it to her. “And our little one has been happy as can be with her grandma and grandpa around and her aunt and uncles,” he promised. They had really helped him get through everything.

“I would never doubt that for a moment. Your family is amazing, if people knew what a Lord Holder and his family could be like there would not be so much miscommunication between Holders and Crafters.” Rena looked at how tired and washed out he looked. “I am sorry.” She whispered softly, touching his hand.

He smiled tiredly. “They are special,” he agreed. His family was amazing in his mind and he knew they would do anything to help. “You may be right,” he agreed. Bensen was confused. “sorry for what?” He asked quietly.

“For nearly leaving you.” She said quietly looking up from the baby to look at him. “I can’t imagine what you have been through in the last couple of days.” She tried not to think about how terrified he must have been but his face showed the strain of it all.

Bensen's shoulders slumped. He had hoped she wouldn't notice but he should have known she would notice. “It's not your fault,” he said quietly, his voice cracking from emotions and being tired. “you're both here and safe now though.”

Rena nodded, finally feeling her head clearing enough to think clearly enough to think on her priorities. She needed to feed her child, she really needed the bathroom and to bind her breasts as they were aching thanks to not being able to feed. “So go and get some rest and send a female healer in on your way out. This is me not kicking you out but you need to think of yourself just for a couple of candlemarks.”

The young man frowned, not believing she was sending him away already. he didn't have the energy to argue though as she seemed set on sending him off. Bensen pushed to his feet, his shoulders still slumped as he quietly walked out the room. He sent the healer in as requested before going to find his family.