Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

429. Bonus content - Shackled

**Alekos' POV**

A thin layer of sweat covers Angel's forehead.

Her face is a mask of agony.

I've never seen her in so much pain before.

A new contraction hits her, her back arching as a weak scream leaves her.

She's been in labor for hours, trying to bring our child into the world. She looks so tired.

Her eyes look at me pleadingly. My heart throbs with pain.

I fucking did this to her. I caused her this pain by wanting a child.

"Push!" the midwife says.

Angel thrashes her head against the pillows, tears falling down her cheeks.

Stefan kisses her ankle. "You are doing great, Schatzi. Just one more push."

Her hand squeezes Reyes' fingers hard. "I can't," her voice begs us to understand. Reyes brushes the hair away from her face with his free hand.

My blood-brothers and I haven't left Angel's side since she mentioned she wasn't feeling well two days ago. We should have taken her to the hospital and gotten the doctor to perform a C-section, but she wanted to give birth at home. I shouldn't have given in. Then, she wouldn't have been suffering the way she is.

I press my lips to her other ankle. "Just one more push, Agapi Mou, and you can rest."

She looks so fucking tired. I can feel it in the way her leg trembles in my hands. "Promise?" she asks.

"I promise," I reply.

Angel takes a deep breath, and when a new contraction hits her, she pushes harder than before. Her back lifts from the bed, and Reyes supports her as she gives all of herself into this last push and screams with the effort. A scream of life and victory as our child finally comes out. Angel falls back on the bed, breathing hard.

Reyes kisses Angel's cheek. "You did so well, Nena."

The midwife places the baby on Angel's stomach. The first contact between baby and mother, skin-on-skin, is the most important. Angel places her hands on our baby, tears of joy streaming from her eyes.

midwife cleans the baby's mouth and nose before saying, "You are now the parents

my gaze goes from Stefan

Sofia.

the most beautiful sound I

with tears. I'm not the

the umbilical

Stefan and Reyes have a

beanie on Sofia, the midwife shows me how to hold my daughter before giving her to me while she turns her attention to Angel. I look at my daughter.

inside my heart. It's possessive and all-consuming. If anyone ever dares to harm my precious Sofia, I will make him

to hold Sofia, we give her to Angel so she can nurse her. The midwife shows Angel

her eyes from the traumatic event her body went through to bring our daughter safely out, but I've never seen her more beautiful than now. She is breathtaking. I don't think I've loved her more than I do

at our daughter with such pure love. The way I look at her, the love of my life. I love Sofia with all my heart, but Angel will always

and put my head on Angel's

my entire world. I love you so much," I say,

**Angel**

as I check the

it to cool down before cutting a slice and having a spoonful. It burns my tongue, but I don't mind since I've been craving pie

I don't

fears and accepting that my husbands love me for who I am. I'm learning

complicating my life with having a family of my own. If there's something I've learned this past year, is that I can be strong and independent while being a SAHM. Reyes enters the kitchen while I take another bite from the pie. He stops behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist, his palms resting against my stomach. It's been about three months since I got pregnant again, and

is my gorgeous wife today?"

a bit more before

"Me too."

offer him some

Reyes

for: I want to

done with the Halloween photos." I didn't put so much effort

I can't get enough of them, of this life

wear the Halloween costumes I custom-made for

This is the best you

"What's wrong with

his arms in the air. "I'm 'The other Daddy

shrug. "You are still a

who has written 'The hot Daddy Shark' on his custom, while Stefan is 'The super

Baby Shark ever,' while I'm 'The

cringy as fuck? Yes. Do I care