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.

before saying,

gaze goes from Stefan to Reyes. A baby girl.

Sofia.

starts to cry and it's the

with tears. I'm not the only one

cut the umbilical cord?"

before Stefan and Reyes

where to cut. After 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 look at my daughter. She is so tiny. So damn

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

hold Sofia, we give her to Angel so she can nurse her. The midwife shows Angel how the baby should latch correctly to her breast before giving us space to bond with our

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

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

and put my

world. I love you so much," I

**Angel**

the kitchen as

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.

I don't

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

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

is my gorgeous wife today?" he asks before

eat a bit more before

"Me too."

some pie, but

Reyes murmurs against

is cue for: I want

Halloween photos." I didn't put so much effort into my costume, only for Reyes to ruin

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

the others wear the Halloween costumes I custom-made

happy. "Really, Angel? This is the best you

pie. "What's wrong with Daddy

the

are still a Daddy

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

Baby Shark ever,' while

as fuck? Yes. Do