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.

cleans the baby's mouth and nose before saying,

from Stefan to Reyes. A baby girl. Just as

Sofia.

it's the most beautiful sound I have

gaze becomes blurry with tears. I'm not

to cut the umbilical cord?" the midwife

say before Stefan

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

Angel so she can nurse her. The midwife shows Angel how the baby should latch correctly

bring our daughter safely out, but I've never seen her more beautiful than now. She

I look at her, the love of

and

entire world. I love you so

**Angel**

apple pie fills the kitchen as I check the pie

spoonful. It burns my tongue, but I don't mind since I've been craving pie like

don't mind

letting go of my fears and accepting that my husbands love me for who I

without 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,

today?" he asks before

a bit more before I

"Me too."

him some pie, but

Reyes murmurs

cue for: I want to

done with the Halloween photos." I didn't put so much effort into my costume, only for

and Stefan-holding a sleeping Sofia in his arms-enter the kitchen. I can't get

others wear the Halloween

happy. "Really, Angel? This is the best you came up with?" he

wrong with Daddy Shark?"

in the air. "I'm 'The other

are still

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

'The cutest Baby Shark ever,' while I'm

cringy as fuck? Yes. Do I care