FSH Harpers Do More Than Sing

Posted on Thu Apr 23rd, 2026 @ 1:30pm by Sr Journeyman Rena & Sr Journeyman Bensen

Mission: 3531 AL

Bensen sat in one of the chairs next to the crib watching Osena sleeping. He still couldn't believe the little girl was finally there and now he had two daughters and a lovely, sweet wife. He just wished he hadn't had to lose his brother in the process.

“Hey baby girl,” he crooned. “How are you doing today?”

The baby blinked up at him waking at the familiar voice but blinked several times before closing her eyes again. Brenna on the other hand came out of her bedroom and looked around. “Morning Bensen. Where is mama?” She wondered sleepily.

Bensen turned at his daughter's voice. “Hey Bre,” he smiled, holding his hand out to her. “She is still sleeping,” he answered, as he lifted Brenna up onto his lap. “And why are you up so early?”

Brenna quickly walked over and snuggled against him. “I could not sleep and then I heard your voice.” She admitted still sounding sleepy as she looked over the crib to look at her baby sister. “Osena is still asleep.” She had thought she had heard crying which had woke her originally.

He held the little girl close, letting her snuggle as tight as she wanted. “I'm sorry if I woke you, baby,” he apologized. “She is. It's still early.” He had been restless and he hadn't wanted to wake Rena.

The little girl shook her head and snuggled until she was comfortable. “I thought mama was up too and I wanted to give her the present Auntie Abe been helping me with.” She admitted.

Bensen kissed the little girl's hair. “I'm sure she'll be up soon,” he said. He knew Rena was usually up right before or after him. And Osena would be hungry soon.

Brenna sighed dramatically but said nothing normally she would have just got into bed and snuggled with her but things were a little different now. “Bensen? Is mama feeling better now?” She wondered quietly the worry that she knew a little more than she had let on.

He raised a brow at her dramatic sigh, trying not to laugh. He didn't want to upset her. “She is sweetheart. You don't need to worry.” Bensen hadn't realized Brenna had been worrying so much.

“Very much better .” Rena said doorway tieing her robe tightly around herself as she came out looked at the pair snuggled up on the sofa. “Are we having a family meeting?” She wondered sleepily joining them.

Bensen smiled up at his wife. “Just a family snuggle,” he answered, slipping an arm around her shoulders. “Right Bre?” He hoped that Brenna could see that Rena was doing much better now.

The older woman snuggled against the man and pressed a kiss in the little girl's hair as she reached for the woman. “Mama.” The girl said happily.

“And I am very much okay, Bre. I just need a little more rest than I needed before but I am fine.” She promised.

“See? I told you she was just resting,” he said gently. He would never lie to the children. And thankfully this time he had all good news as Rena was getting better each day.

“I know but you looked tired last night mama. I thought you were going to fall asleep putting me to bed.” Brenna giggled a little.

“Well, Bensen did have to carry me to bed, but I am okay. We’ve been through a lot recently and I just need to catch up on sleep.” Rena assured softly not wanting her eldest to worry.

“We have all been through a lot,” he agreed with his wife, “and I didn't mind carrying you. But since Osena still seems to be sleeping soundly, who wants a snuggle in bed?” He suggested as it looked like his two girls were still exhausted.

“I am happy here, not moving,” Rena assured as she felt the little girl wiggly until she was curled up in her lap properly looking like she was going to fall asleep again. “The baby will wake soon.” She was not wanting to move to then move again.

He chuckled softly. “Couch snuggles it is then,” he agreed. Whatever kept his girls happy. He wasn't due to be anywhere for a while yet and just staying with them seemed perfect to him.

“Come here,” Rena whispered, snuggling a little so she could lean into him better. She looked up at him and smiled more. “Are you okay?” She wondered gently.

Bensen rubbed her arm, content to have his family close. He nodded a bit. “Just had a restless night. I was trying not to wake you,” he admitted. Normally he would have just stayed in bed but this time he knew Rena needed rest and he didn't want to bother her.

“What’s got you so restless?” She wondered, smiling as his touch on her arm. She could feel it through her thin robe even as Brenna started to get heavy in her arms signifying she might have fallen back to sleep or at least dozing a little.

He blew out a soft breath. “Just Hold things,” he answered. “There's a lot going on not to mention a couple of our good runners have pulled up lame so we have been looking into that.” Bensen chuckled a bit. “Guess I just need to learn to shut things off at night.”

“Can I help with any of it? I still have a few days before I am signed back to working if I am healthy.” She offered quietly thinking it might be a good way for them to talk about things that are non them or the children.

Bensen glanced over at her in surprise. “You really want to look at hidework?” He asked curiously. If she wanted to help he was all for it. He could use an extra pair of hands.

“I am a harper. I do more than sing and play teaching songs.” She teased at the surprise on his face. She had not done much of that recently but she was trying to get her head back together now that she was not pregnant.

He did chuckle softly. “Very true. I just didn’t want to drag you into something you didn't feel up to. The amount of hides I have on my desk can get to be a bit overwhelming at times,” he admitted.

“I can sit going through hide works.” She murmured looking at him smiling in the dull light. “If I help it means you’ll get to sleep a little better and relax better on an evening.” Or at least she hoped it would work like that. She wanted him less stressed or distracted on an evening.

Bensen smiled. “And that would be nice. I would enjoy a quiet evening with my family.” he just hadn't wanted to push her into anything. He didn't know how much she had helped Oseben or if she even had to.wanted to.

It was nice to know he was at least open to the idea of her helping. “So tell me what do you think I can help with? What hidework can be done by me?” She asked softly, stroking his fingers along his arm wrapped around her.

The young man thought for a moment before answering. “Well I do have some with the hold residents on it that I need to go over and make sure is all up to date,” he admitted. He figured there was a lot more too.

Hold residents she would know about well enough being Hold Harper. “Okay well after breakfast and making sure Osena will settle in the sling and I will come and spend time with you and your hidework.” She promised knowing she would find herself something to do there.

“As long as you are sure. I thank you.” Bensen would take whatever help he could get. Not to mention, he hoped to actually get some time with his family later.

“I will try.” She assured quietly, looking up at him with a sweet smile. It’ll be different work but she was sure that she would manage to help with something.

Bensen nodded with a smile. “Then later,” he said. “Right now I still have some time I can stay right here with you guys.” He wasn't moving til he actually had to.

“We are both happy here.” The woman stated, slowly shifting the little girl from her lap, where she was sleeping against her chest to against her otherside so she could snuggle against her husband.

He chuckled as he realized Brenna had fallen asleep again. And so far Osena was still sleeping as well. Bensen pulled a fur from behind them and gently covered them all up. “Perfect,” he whispered.

Rena said nothing but just let the moment be and enjoy the silence. They could have more moments later on but for now it was perfect the way it was. Everyone was settled and the grownups could enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet.