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.

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

leaves my lungs as my gaze goes from Stefan to Reyes. A baby girl. Just as

Sofia.

and it's the most beautiful sound I have

blurry with tears. I'm not the only

wants to cut the umbilical cord?" the midwife

say before Stefan and

shows me how to hold my daughter before giving her to me while she turns her attention to Angel. I look at my daughter. She is so tiny. So damn beautiful and perfect. I gently press her to my

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

The midwife shows Angel how the baby should latch correctly to her breast before giving us space to bond

disheveled, her face wet with tears, pain flickering in 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

look at her, the love of my life. I love Sofia with all my heart, but Angel will

to my knees and put my head on

entire world. I love you

**Angel**

of pumpkin and apple pie fills the kitchen as I check the pie

since I've been craving pie like crazy for the last few days. Between

don't

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

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,

today?" he asks before kissing my

eat a bit more before

"Me too."

some pie,

for you," Reyes murmurs against my

cue for: I

so much effort into my costume, only for

Sofia in his arms-enter the kitchen. I can't get enough of them, of this life

the others wear the Halloween costumes I custom-made for

Angel? This is

"What's wrong with Daddy Shark?" I

the air. "I'm

"You are still

'The hot Daddy Shark' on his custom, while Stefan is

cutest Baby Shark ever,' while I'm

fuck? Yes.