I remember standing here in this house, back then it was just rafters and framing and a concrete floor. I remember telling him, when we took a step into his imaginary hallway, that I could see him being a really good father.
He made my heart swell when he told me he thought I'd be a good mother.
And now, a year later, it's about to happen.
Our lives are going to change as we become more than husband and wife. We are about to become Mom and Dad to these twin baby boys. I'm guessing a pair of cowboys.
Cole comes up to me in the kitchen, wrapping me in his arms, kissing my neck. "How's my girl?" he asks.
I turn to my husband. His hat is crooked and I move it into place. "You ready to go to the barn raising?"
"Yeah," I say, reaching for my purse and jacket. "Just so long as you're not going to work too hard. You gotta let these young cowboys put in the hard work."
"I know, but considering I've moved on from roping ponies to building houses, I think it's only fair that I help direct the cause."
I smile up at my man, and there's not just been changes for me. Cole's changed too. Instead of working for my uncle Leroy, he started his own construction company, with my aunt and uncle's encouragement.
My uncle was right. Cole is really good at taking charge of a crew and leading the guys that work for him. Besides building our house, he's also been working on barns and fencing all over the county. I'm so proud of him.
Today though, it's not a paid gig. Today, we are doing the annual Valentine's Day barn raising.
The auction should be exciting. Of course, we're not going to be participating. We're an old married couple now. So once all the youngins go off for their picnic dates, I'm going to be at the barn with Cole, stringing up lights and setting out refreshments.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he says, taking my hand.
"You think you'll save me a dance at the barn tonight?"
He smiles, opening the truck door for me and helping me get in. God knows it's hard with this baby bump. "Of course I'll save you a dance. You just promise not to go into labor before I can swing you around the dance floor."
I laugh. "I promise. I still have three weeks before I'm supposed to pop!”
Later, though, when we're at the dance and Cole has me in his arms, slowly dancing with me under the lights, I realize the words he muttered this morning have actually come true.
"I think my water just broke," I say, looking down at the wet floor. "I'm mortified," I say, but Cole doesn't even blush.
"Baby, it's okay. I got you."
My aunt Ella sweeps over, realizing what's happened, and so do Sarah and Rachel.
"Oh, my God," Sarah says. "You're going into labor. You're going to have your twins on Valentine's Day! That's so romantic."
"I don't know if I can push two babies out in the next few hours," I cry. "It's already nine o'clock at night."
"I think three hours is enough time to have a Valentine's Day baby," Rachel says with a smile.
"Well, I'm not here to argue. I'm just getting my little ass to the hospital."
Cole chuckles, letting my aunt and uncle know he'll call them as soon as possible.
When we get to the hospital and check in, I'm full of anxious energy, suddenly scared of what's happening. What's happening so fast.
"It's okay," Cole says, kissing my knuckles as I squeeze his hand. "I got you. And so does the hospital, so does your doctor. You're okay."
Just then, Dr. Nichols comes into the delivery room. "Look at you," he says. "Three weeks early, but that's good with twins. And I hear you're already dilated to an eight."
"What does that mean?" I say. "Is it time for the epidural?"
My doctor chuckles. "Laura, we're past that. You're going to push in the next hour, and then you're going to be a mama to two healthy, strong baby boys."
I look at my doctor with fear in my eyes and a pounding heart. "No," I say. "It's too fast, too soon."
But then a contraction rolls over me and I realize he's absolutely right. "Oh, my God," I say, "I feel like I could push any minute."
Everyone rushes into the room at that moment. The delivery room is suddenly full of nurses and staff, and there's a monitor on my belly and my feet are in stirrups, and my doctor says I've moved from an eight to a ten in 10 minutes flat. It's time.
"You can push as soon as you're ready, just bear down and..."
I squeeze Cole's fingers until I think they might break, and my forehead is covered in sweat and my heart pounds and I'm scared.