Chapter 23

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Time skip- 5 weeks
ADDISON:
Dec has been in hospital 5 weeks, it's been tiring going back and forth but I stayed with him for a week but he insisted I slept at home, as it is better for me and baby, he has someone stay with him at night, he's been struggling mentally with the recovery and rehabilitation, he is walking now but he's still weak due to the injuries and being in hospital so long, he's gutted as he knows it's going to be a long road to play football again.
He doesn't like talking about it much especially with me but he does talk to the boys so one of them will stay at night with him, they've all been lovely. On nights that Mase stays with Dec, I have a few of the boys sleep at our house to make sure I'm okay. It's been an emotional journey but I know he'll be home soon and I have to stay positive.
I'm 34 weeks pregnant now very close to giving birth and I know Dec is working really hard at rehabilitation to make sure he's home when baby is due.
Mason has been amazing these last few weeks, even though he's going through the pain he's been my rock throughout it all, I wouldn't have coped without him. I can't wait to have Declan home, with me and Mase.

I head into the hospital room, the doctor is examining him and asking questions I just sit down next to him and hold his hand. Listening to the doctor he starts to go over the future plans on Decs recovery. "So Mr Rice, your recovery seems to be going amazingly, you are mobile and your wrist is only in a splint now not a cast. As long as you take it easy, do the recommended exercises and come to all the physio appointments and follow ups with me. I think you can go home." We both cheer and I see him tear up, "how long until I'm okay to be back on the pitch?" Dec asks and I'm dreading the answer. The doctor smiles and says "as long as you follow the recovery routine and carry on doing well with physio, I'm sure you can go back to training in a few weeks" the smile on his face is from ear to ear, I'm so glad he is happy and can get back to it but part of me fears it as it was football which caused it.
-2 weeks-
Declan has been back home 2 weeks now and he's doing great. Everything is healed properly and he's allowed back to training now, only for light training and simple workouts but it's a positive step none of us saw 7 weeks ago, he's not told anyone except Gareth as he wants to surprise the lads. I'm driving him to training, he knows it will be a little while before playing matches but attending training will make his day. We arrive and we head inside.

DECLAN:
I've been waiting for this day for weeks. I've kept it from everyone that I'm coming back today, I'm all dressed in training gear and I'm holding Ads hand as we walk through. I see the pitch and see the boys on it. I walk to the edge of the pitch butterflies in my belly. "Alright lads" I shout and I see them all turn around with shocked faces. I laugh as Mase runs over to me "you didn't tell me you were coming today Rice" I laugh and shake my head "I thought I'd surprise you all" and the other lads have come over and hugging me telling me they're glad I'm back. Gareth suggests a friendly kick around later but to start off with passing to each other and light training. I give Ads a kiss and head on to the pitch excited to be with the boys.
Instagram

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Addison_Mount: One very happy boy back at training, on the pitch where he belongs I'm so proud of how far you've come baby

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Addison_Mount: One very happy boy back at training, on the pitch where he belongs I'm so proud of how far you've come baby. Amazing progress❤️❤️ @declanrice

Declanrice: wouldn't have been possible without your support baby. I love you💖
Masonmount: Glad your back to doing what you love and bloody good at bro. Proud of you brother 💙
EnglandFC: So happy to have you back with us Declan. GS.
BenChilwell: Amazing surprise for us all today bro. Glad your back 🥰
LukeShaw: Proud of you brother. You're back where you belong. X
J_Bells: Good to see you happy bro x
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I sit here reading Addi's instagram post and honestly I couldn't have done it all without her by my side. She comes in from the bath and sits on the bed next to me. "I love you Dec" she says and I give her a kiss and say "I love you too baby. Let's plan our wedding" she looks so excited but makes sure to tell me we've got to do it after the baby. As we've only got 6 weeks, we sit for the next 2 hours talking about what we want at our wedding and we both agree on most things. The only thing left to decide is the date. Then we get talking about baby names, and most surprisingly each of our favourite name is the same. We hear Mase come in from his date so we call him up to be nosey. He comes in and tells us about it but he's tired and so are we. We say our good nights and go to sleep.

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