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

lungs as my gaze goes from Stefan to Reyes.

Sofia.

the most beautiful sound

tears. I'm not the only one crying. So are

the umbilical cord?"

I say before Stefan and

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 naked chest. She stops crying.

If anyone ever dares to harm my precious Sofia, I will make him watch while

to Angel so she can nurse her. The

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 breathtaking. I don't think I've loved her more than I do at this

love of my life. I love Sofia with all

and put my head on Angel's

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

**Angel**

as I check the pie I just took out of the

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

don't mind

when I'm finally letting go of my fears and accepting that my husbands love me for who I

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 the twins are doing great. Me,

wife today?"

a bit more

"Me too."

some pie,

you," Reyes murmurs against

I want

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

a sleeping Sofia in his arms-enter the kitchen. I can't get enough of

the others wear the Halloween

This is the best you

pie. "What's wrong with Daddy

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

are still

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

cutest Baby Shark ever,'

fuck? Yes. Do I care