Ren's pregnancy was a profoundly unpleasant and stressful experience, for obvious reasons. During that time, Strade continued to be rude and cruel to him, although as the months passed, he stopped forcing him to accompany him on his "work," more out of convenience than compassion.
Strade was never truly interested in being a father. For him, children were merely a means to an end: ensuring that Ren had no chance of running away. He even admitted that his decision was influenced by a spur-of-the-moment impulse, as there were other ways to keep him under control without resorting to such extremes. However, once the pregnancy was a reality, he simply decided to wash his hands of it, leaving all the responsibility to Ren.
The birth was especially difficult. Ren had to give birth at home, in rudimentary conditions, but his babies were still born safe and sound.
Despite not having had a good maternal figure or a healthy emotional environment, Ren did everything he could to ensure that his children had at least a moderately happy life within those circumstances. She constantly tried to keep them away from Strade and strictly forbade them from going near the basement, protecting them from what she knew could destroy them.
Although she initially rejected one of her sons because of the memories and traumas he stirred, over time she began to confront those feelings. Little by little, she tries to get closer to him, build a bond, and stop pushing him away, even though doing so is painful.
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