LXXII

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Liked by tonio_niel, katiebolton14, cece_raynott_ and 725, 463 others

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Liked by tonio_niel, katiebolton14, cece_raynott_ and 725, 463 others

alexmorgan13: I'm forever grateful that you survived that accident almost 6 months ago, you've come so far in your road to recovery and everyone is so proud.

Everyday I get to spend with you I know I'm becoming a better person because of it, you force me to push myself hard and work for what I really want in life while still enjoying every minute of it

Happy Birthday baby, here's to many more I get to spend with you. I love you all the way to the moon and back ❤️

tagged: tonio_niel

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tonio_niel: You're the best girlfriend anyone could dream off Lex, you stayed by my side the entire time I was asleep and while I was recovery. Words can't describe the love I have for you but I know it's forever. Love you always Lex ❤️

username: who's cutting onions?!

katiebolton14: Happy Birthday to the best sister I could ever ask for! We've had each other's backs since day one and I wouldn't want to have had my teenage years with anyone else. I'm incredibly proud of everything you've overcome in you're life and where you are now. Love you forever and always 🤞🏼
tonio_niel: You've been my rock my whole life and helped me so much, thank you for sticking by side through it all K! Love you forever and always

malpugh: happy birthday to my second mom! Glad you're okay and still kicking butt on and off the field, love you always
tonio_niel: me too Mally, can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks and kiss those adorable cheeks of yours!

christenpress: Happy Birthday to the Queen of the weight room! Hope your day is filled with happiness and love
tonio_niel: thank you Chris, can't want to see you soon

username: Happy Birthday Toni

orlpride: Happy birthday to our midfield player Toni O'Neil!

uswnt: Happy birthday Toni O'Neil!

ashlynharris24: Happy birthday sharky! Can't wait to celebrate you're birthday with you
tonio_niel: Me too! Hurry up and get over here!

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"Happy Birthday!" I hear from behind me in the garden.

I turn around to see Alex walking in with Ali and Ash by her side. A smile breaks out on my face seeing my two favourite teammates.

"Hey guys! Thanks for coming!" I say limping over to them.

"Are you kidding, you really think I'm going to pass up on free food!" Ash says making me laugh while her wife just slaps her

"We are here because it's your birthday and we love you," Ali says glaring at Ash

"well for whatever reason you're a here for I appreciate it" I tell them smiling

"well you two go sit down and relax, me and Ali are taking control of the grill this time" Alex says to me, pointing finger at the outdoor sofa we have

"yes ma'am" I reply not having to be told twice on what to do.

I limp to the best of my ability over to the seat and plop down right after Ash.

"This is a nice change, I don't have to do anything for once" Ash says leaning back and grabbing some beers from the cooler

"Yeah well Alex won't let me do anything, I know I just had surgery but I can still help out" I say in a little annoyance

"How did that all go by the way," Ash asks me

"alright actually, they needed to operate on my back again because a little bit of my spine wasn't fixed properly and they were worried if I got hit again or something that it would cause it to snap and then if be paralysed fully," I say thinking back to what the doctor told me in the hospital that day

"dang that's serious bro," Ash says looking at me concerned

"yeah but the operation they wanted to do had an 85 per cent chance of giving me some sort of paralyse but they wouldn't know how bad until the operation was over and I was awake," I tell her

"Jesus, I didn't realise it was that big if an operation. How come you never told anyone" She asks me sitting up in suprise

"I don't know, I just didn't want people to worry I guess and Alex was already so upset about it I didn't want anyone else to be," I say glancing over at my girlfriend who's laughing along with Ali

"I could've been here to support you both, you know I love you like family Toni," Ash says making me smile

"yeah I know Ash and you're my family too. The operation went well though, the did the surgery and I've only got some slight paralysis on my right leg but with some physical therapy it will be back to normal hopefully" I say touching the leg that is slightly numb

"did you know how long you'd be out for going in to it?" Ash asks as I take a swig of my beer

"well that was the dilemma I was in if I didn't get the surgery I could've gone back to soccer in 2 weeks but I had the risk of getting hurt down the line and never being able to walk. If I got the operation I could never play again but I would be able to walk," I tell her remembering that awful hospital visit where I was told my career could be over

"Fucking hell Toni, that's not a light decision to make," Ash says looking at me in shock

"I know but the whole time I was just thinking about Alex. If I didn't have the surgery I was running the risk of being completely paralysed and I don't want that, I want to be able to grow old with Alex and play with our kids in the garden, I can't do that if I'm stuck in a wheelchair. At the end of the day, the choice was my career or Alex and I knew what the answer was straight away" I reply looking at my girlfriend from afar

"When are you going to put a ring on it Toni, you're hopelessly in love" Ash says making me chuckle

"Soon Ashy, soon" I reply smiling

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