Halfway to forever by Karen Kingsbury

"Tell her we love her... We can't wait to see her." He uttered a single laugh, one that sounded like part cry.
"Tell her it's going to be a miracle day for both of us."
Tanner lowered his brow. "Both of us?"
"Hi, Matt, it's Hannah on the other line."
"Hi." Jade was watching him, and he mouthed the fact that Hannah was on the phone also. "Okay, so our
miracle is obvious. What's yours?" At this point Tanner figured anything was possible. After all, miracles
had been sprouting like springtime tulips since Maddie was born.
Hannah did the talking. "We've been in conversation with
Grace's grandmother these past few days. At first we weren't sure
where it was headed, but yesterday afternoon our social worker
called us. Grace's grandmother wants to give her back to us,
Tanner. She wants to visit once a year, but that's all. She told us
God had showed her it was the best thing for Grace." Hannah's
voice broke. "She'll be here this afternoon."
"That's not all." Matt sounded happier than Tanner could ever remember, and the combination of his
friend's joy with his own was enough to make his heart burst. "We found out that Grace's mother's rights
have been permanently severed. Our Grace is free for adoption. We'll start the process Monday"
"That's wonderful. I never stopped thinking of her as your daughter."
"Jenny's beside herself." Hannah sounded like she was ready to burst. "She slept in Grace's bed last night,
thanking God."
They talked a few more minutes before Tanner explained he had to go. They hadn't called Ty yet and
needed to do that as soon as possible. When they were off the phone, he explained the situation to Jade.
She smiled, and for the first time since she'd come to, her eyes filled with tears. "Hannah loves that little
girl so much." She shook her head, searching for the words. "What can I say? God is so good."
Tanner was about to dial the neighbor's house where Ty was staying when a thought occurred to him.
He glanced up at the Jade Chain still taped to the wall above the hospital bed. Then he checked his watch.
Just after eight o'clock. He calculated back. That meant Jade had come out of her coma at 7:15.
Narrowing his eyes, he leaned closer to the prayer chart and used his finger to follow the list. "I wonder
who was praying for us at-"
Jade rolled onto her side, craning her neck to see what Tanner saw. "What?"
Tanner could only stare at her, his mouth open. "People have been praying for you around the clock,
right?"
"Right..." Jade looked confused.
Tanner studied the chart again and huffed. Chills ran down his arms and legs and he turned back to Jade.
"Guess who was praying for you from seven to seven-thirty this morning? When you came out of the
coma?"
"Who?" Tanner checked the name once more and then leveled his gaze at Jade. "Ty Eastman."
Jade's eyes widened and she gasped. Before either of them
331 K I N G S B U R Y
could say another word, the phone rang.
Tanner answered it on the first ring. "Hello?"
"Hi, Dad, it's Ty." He waited a beat. "Can I talk to Mom?"
"Wait a minute..." There was laughter in Tanner's voice,
laughter and an unrestrained joy that hadn't been there for a very
long time. "How did you know she was awake?"
"You mean she really is?" He hooted loud enough for jade to
hear. "I knew it!"