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

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

Sofia.

cry and it's the most beautiful

not the only one crying. So

cut the umbilical

do!" I say before Stefan and Reyes have

she puts a diaper and 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

anyone ever dares to harm

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

to bring our daughter safely out, but

her, the love of my life. I love Sofia with all my heart, but

and put my head on Angel's

entire world. I love you so much," I

**Angel**

and apple pie fills the kitchen as I check the pie I just

before cutting a slice and having a spoonful. It burns my tongue, but I don't mind since I've been craving pie like crazy for the last few days. Between Sofia, my husbands-who never can keep their hands off me and preparation for Halloween, this

don't mind

fears and accepting that my husbands love

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,

today?" he asks

more

"Me too."

some

you," Reyes murmurs

for: I want to

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

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

wear the

reason, Alekos is not happy. "Really, Angel? This is the

my pie. "What's wrong with Daddy

arms in the air.

shrug. "You are still a Daddy

his custom,

Shark ever,' while I'm

Yes. Do I care