Halfway to forever by Karen Kingsbury

through the valley of the shadow of death and brought them to
this point.
He stared at jade, wonder seeping into his every pore. "You're
back. You're okay!" He wanted to swing her out of bed and into
his arms, but he settled for leaning his upper body along hers,
careful not to disturb the bandages on her head or put pressure
on her. He wove his hands beneath her shoulders and hugged her
close. "Thank God you're back. I was so afraid I'd lost you."
"How long have I been out?"
"Four days, Jade. Four of the longest days of my life." He drew
back and searched her eyes. "We thought... Dr. Layton said we
had to prepare for the worst."
"And the surgery-you said it went well."
There were questions in her eyes, and Tanner wanted to allay
her fears before any more time passed. "Tests on the margins came
back negative. There's no sign of cancer cells anywhere. They got
it all, jade."
"What about Maddie?" Jade's eyes were heavy again. "I missed
you all so much, Tanner."
"Maddie's perfect. She's gaining weight. Her doctor said she
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might be able to go home in three weeks."
"I knew it." A look of peace filled jade's face and her eyes closed for a moment. "God is so good."
"What do you remember about the surgery? Anything?"
Jade smiled. "Two things." She took another sip of water. "Your face." She moved her free hand up and
traced his jawline with her forefinger. "And the strangest sensation."
Tanner studied her face. No matter how long he lived, he would never get enough of her. "What?"
"Right from the moment I went under I felt the Lord pick me up and hold me, like I was lying in Jesus'
arms from then... until now. Isn't that something?"
Tears burned in the corners of Tanner's eyes. "Maybe that's what happens when people are praying for
you around-theclock." "Maybe. I just know I felt it. As real as if you'd picked me up yourself." Her hand
was trembling and she let it fall back beside her. "I'm tired, Tanner."
"I know."
"But before I sleep ...1 want to see Ty He needs to know that I'm okay"
Tanner nodded. He didn't want to exhaust her on her first day, not with days of tough recovery ahead. His
eyes fell to her hands and arms. The coma had atrophied what little muscle remained on her thin frame.
Dr. Layton said she'd need another week of radiation, just as a precaution.
But the days would go by quickly... and very soon they would walk out of the hospital, a family again.
He was reaching for the phone to call Ty when it rang. Surprised, he hesitated a moment before answering
it. "Hello?" "How's she doing?"
It was Matt.
330 Tanner beamed, the joy of what had happened that past half hour still bursting in his heart. "I have her
back! She came to thirty minutes ago." His tone was filled with disbelief. "Can you believe it, Matt? I
have her back."
"She knows you? Everything's the same?"
Tanner grinned at Jade. "She's as ornery as ever."
"Thank God..." Matt paused and coughed a few times. When he spoke again it was with tears in his voice.