December 25th, 1959. 1:04 pm. Denver Medical Center.

The words keep running through my head.

"Mrs. Holley, were you aware that you're pregnant?"

I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant and I've been drinking and smoking. I'm pregnant and got into a plane crash. I'm pregnant and I didn't even know. Merry Christmas to me, I'm pregnant.

What if I hurt the baby with such careless behaviors? What if the crash hurt it? What if I miscarry again? What if I'm just a bad mom?

"Mrs. Holley, were you aware that you're pregnant?"

Buddy's barely out of surgery. He just got out yesterday at around midnight. I can't tell him I'm pregnant while we're stuck here in the Denver Medical Center. He's worried enough about me and Tommy and Waylon. Waylon still hasn't woken up. He was put into a coma after we got here.

I have 7 broken ribs and a concussion. That has to hurt a baby. I can't be pregnant. I can't. I'm not ready for a baby, especially now, right after this incident.

"Mrs. Holley, were you aware that you're pregnant?"

No. No I was not aware that I'm pregnant. I can't even think of a time where the condom broke. I missed my period, sure, but my cycle has always been irregular.

What the hell am I supposed to do? How do I tell Buddy? How do I tell anyone? What will the press think? Buddy and I have wanted kids since forever but not right now. Not this soon.

The nurse, Bethy, pops her head in. "Sorry, Mrs. Holley, I hate to interrupt your thoughts, but I got you some prenatal vitamins. You can go see Buddy whenever, but beware, he's a little out of it."

I blink hard and nod. "Yeah, thank you,"

She comes and gives me a Dixie cup with a couple giant pills in it. "Wait, how am I supposed to swallow these?!" I exclaim.

She purses her lips and shrugs. "Oh, honey, I know. I thought the same thing when I started prenatal care. Were you trying for a baby?"

I shake my head hard, causing it to start aching once more. "No, no, not at all. I don't know how this happened. We aren't ready for a baby. Not yet,"

She gently rubs my back. "I'm sorry, but things happen for a reason. You'll be a great mother. You seem so caring."

"I'm only twenty-three,"

"I know, dear, but it'll all play out. You just have to let it be. It is what it is,"

I grab my blankets and pull them up higher. "I can't take these, they'll choke me,"

"Honey, please, you have to, for the baby,"

I frown and point to my cup of water.

Bethy hands me the cup and I glance at the pills one more time before pouring them into my mouth quickly and chugging the water, praying not to gag.

I somehow manage to get them down but gag once they're down. "Please take me to Buddy?" Maybe seeing him will make me feel better.

She nods and unlocks the breaks on the bed and starts rolling me down to his room. He's in intensive recovery and I was in normal. Waylon and Tommy are still in Intensive Care.

Once we get in, I see Buddy without his glasses, staring at the television. I imagine it must be nothing more than blobs.

"Buddy, Vi is here to see you!" Bethy chirps as she rolls my bed up next to his. His leg is in a thick cast and being elevated by a sling.

He quickly reaches for his glasses on the night stand and slides them on. "Doll!"

I weakly smile. "Hey, babe,"

"Oh god, I forgot how beautiful you are," he says, grabbing my hand and kissing the back. "You're the most perfect gal,"

I forgot that he hasn't seen me with his glasses since we took off in the plane. When we got here, he didn't have them, and yesterday they hadn't brought our luggage from the airport to the hospital yet. We just got our stuff this morning. He always packs an extra pair of glasses incase his get lost or broken on the road. I'm glad he has them again. I can't imagine going two days without being able to see.

I blush lightly. "I love you so much,"

"I love you too! Am I dreamin', babe? Right now? You look like an angel,"

Bethy laughs lightly. "He's on a high dosage of pain medicine, he's probably a bit loopy. He's only been out of surgery for a day or so,"

"Buddy, shhhh, you're not dreaming. I have something really important to tell you,"

Bethy takes that as her cue to leave Buddy and I alone.

"Woah! Dream Vi sounds just like real Vi,"

"I am the real Vi, and Buddy, please, it's super really very important!"

"Shhhh, dream Vi, you're so beautiful,"

I squeeze his hand. "Buddy! Shut up, I'm real and I'm pregnant!"

He laughs for a moment. "Hey, dream Vi, I'm gonna tell real Vi this when I wake up and we're all gonna laugh!"

"Bad news, real Buddy. Real Vi is really pregnant."

"Dream Vi is just like real Vi!"

"BUDDY LISTEN TO ME, YOU'RE NOT DREAMING!"

"Holy shit, she yells just the same too!" He chuckles, a dazed look on his face.

I roll my eyes. "I AM PREGNANT. THERE IS A BABY INSIDE OF ME!"

He glances down at my stomach. "Nooooo! Not again!"

"Yes!"

"That's crazy!"

I sigh. There's no way he's going to believe me until the meds wear off. "Real Buddy got real Vi pregnant and they're going to have a real baby!"

"Annie! Arlo!"

"Yes, Buddy."

"That's insane! The condom ain't ever broke so I dunno what happened!"

"I know, Buddy. I dont know either."

"Did you cheat on me?"

"No! I would never! You know I would never!"

He blinks hard and looks at me. "I dunno where you'd even find the time t'cheat because we're always together."

"Yeah, yeah exactly. So you, real Buddy, got me, real Vi, pregnant with a real baby,"

He shakes his head. "When I wake up it'll be funny,"

I give up on trying to convince a high Buddy that I'm really real and that I'm really pregnant. "Yeah, okay, real Buddy."

--

Buddy and I sit in his room and watch some television show I've never heard of. Well, half way watch it. It's mostly just talking back and forth.

I'd say that this is almost an ideal Christmas. I've just been relaxing with Buddy. That's all I ever want in life, just to be with him. I guess being in a hospital isn't my first choice, but it would've been ten times worse if he wasn't here.

He's been slowly, slowly coming down from his pain med high. He's been getting more coherent and stopped referring to me as 'dream Vi'.

A nurse comes in to change his IV before dinner. Buddy's watching her as she's about to put the needle in, then suddenly gasps. "WAIT!"

The nurse freezes. "Sorry, sir! Did I hurt you?!"

"No! No you didn't hurt me!" He turns to me. "You're PREGNANT!"

I slowly nod. "Yeah, dumbass, I tried telling you that four hours ago."

His eyes go wide. "Holy shit! You're really pregnant! There's a baby inside of you!"

"Yes there is."

"I'M A FATHER!"

"Yes you are."

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME! I GET A BABY!"

I laugh. "Yeah! Merry Christmas!"

"I still really dunno how it happened, though, Vi. Nothin' ever broke or anythin'."

"I know, Buddy, I know. It's okay." I feel oddly calm about being pregnant now, after having a few hours of just spending time with Buddy and stewing over the fact that there's a life inside of me. It's like the idea finally settled and my motherly instincts are kicking in. Back when I was pregnant the first time, I never felt this serene about the prospect of motherhood. The miscarriage was truly for the best, even if it was heartbreaking. We weren't ready for kids. Hell, we still aren't, but atleast I'm not seventeen and still in high school, living with my parents

Buddy turns back to the nurse. "Sorry, miss, about my little realization. You can put my IV in now."

The nurse quickly inserts his IV and heads out of the room.

"So, I guess we didn't get t'adopt the first one," Buddy smiles. "That's okay, we can always adopt another one."

"Yeah, yeah I know."

"Did they say how far along you were?"

"About a month and a half, so-" I pause, trying to do mental math. "Shit!"

He furrows his eyebrows. "Huh?"

"That one week we had off between Fall Festival Tour and the Festive Bells Tour!"

Buddy's eyes get big as he begins to laugh. "You're right! That's the only time that would really match up!"

I start to laugh aswell, ignoring the soreness in my chest. It feels so good just to laugh with the love of my life.

We continue giggling for a few minutes, but we eventually calm down.

"Vi, doll, we're gonna have a baby."

"I know! A little baby all of our own!"

"D'you want a boy or a girl?"

"I don't care, as long as it's healthy," I smile, gently placing a hand on my stomach.

Buddy nods. "Yeah, doll, it's gonna be okay, I promise you." I can tell he's trying to convince me that another miscarriage won't happen.

"I've been drinking and smoking-"

"You have had two glasses of wine and about five cigarettes in the last month. I think you're gonna be okay. If that kid is anythin' like us, it'll be made of titanium."

"Titanium, right. We just got in a horrific plane crash and look at us now. Forty-eight hours later, watching television and eating chocolate ice cream."

"We're troopers, babe."

I quickly lean over and kiss him. "I love you so much."

"I love you so much more," he whispers. "We're gonna be a family."

7:02pm

"Hellooooo?" Juliet answers in her signature sing song voice.

"I'm sorry," is all I can manage.

"Violet Rosaline Winter! Where in the world are you?! I've been worried sick! You were supposed to be here two days ago!"

"Juliet-"

"You missed Christmas! You missed Christmas Eve! What the hell?!"

"I'm so sorry," I mumble. "Circumstances called for us to stay in Denver for a while."

"Oh yeah?" I can see her face now, with her little scowl. "Yeah?"

"Yeah, see, there was an accident,"

She gasps. "Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine, yeah, we'll all be okay."

"What happened?!"

"Plane crash."

She goes silent for a moment. A rare moment for Juliet. "I'm sorry, I didn't know,"

"Pilot's dead. I broke some ribs and got a concussion. Buddy's got a broken leg. Tommy broke both his arms and Waylon's out for the count,"

"You're all going to live?"

"Seems so. Waylon might not be up for another day or two but Buddy's all cast up and so is Tommy."

"What about you? Are you casted?"

"Don't need one. I just got a few cracked ribs and some head stuff. I'm okay, Jul. I'm just in a little pain, but I'm on some pain killers,"

"Oh, okay, good! Good, good! Are you in Denver Medical Center?"

"Yes,"

"And how long will you ne there?"

"No telling. Another week or two at least. Buddy and I aren't gonna leave until Tommy and Waylon can."

"Ah, okay,"

I can tell by her tone that she's plotting something. I can't say I know what, but I know she is.

"Juliet, I have to go, I have to call Jude and tell her we won't be home for Ginger when we planned,"

"Okay, Vi. I love you, I'm sorry you got hurt. I'm glad everyone is okay...well, besides the pilot."

"I love you too, I'll see you later," I say, hanging up the phone. I pick it up again and dial Jude's number. Hopefully she doesn't mind taking care of Ginger for a while longer than we planned.

-

8:29pm

"I called Jude," I tell Buddy. "She said she was more than happy to take care of Ginger until we get back."

He nods and sits up a bit. "I'm glad."

"She said she would leave a care package in the apartment. I said she didn't have to, but she insisted,"

"I sure hope she don't snoop through our stuff," Buddy laughs.

"Not like we have much to hide," I giggle. "Well, besides...you know,"

"Condoms which failed us! Not once, but twice now!" He shakes his head. "Oh, and that one little set you wore on Valentine's Day-"

I feel myself turning red. "Shut up!"

"Oh whatever, Vi, it's just us in here anyway,"

"Shhh!"

He rolls his eyes and smiles. "I love when you get all shy and blushy when I say dumb stuff, even when it's just us,"

"Sh!"

"Y'know, Vi, you're the typa gal t'cry if someone pinches you, but in the bedroom you're beggin' for me t'punch you in the face."

I giggle. "Shhhh!"

"You're sayin' that 'cause you know it's true!"

"Well not punch me!"

"Slap, spank, same same, Vi,"

"Whatever, Buddy. Tell anyone that and you're done for." I roll my eyes. "Done for!"

"And then that leaves our baby fatherless and you with a lesser source of income."

"Uh-huh. I'm sure me and the baby could live off of what you've brought in. We could keep afloat on it for a long while."

He laughs. "Oh, doll, I love you so much,"

I scoot him over and squeeze myself onto the bed with him. "I love you so much too,"

He manages to wrap an arm around me. "We're gonna be a family." He whispers. "A real family."

"Complete with a baby,"

He kisses my head. "A baby with the most gorgeous woman in the world. I wouldn't have ever picked anyone else t'start a family with. I love you."

"Same for you, Holley. You're the most handsome man, plus you're going to be a fantastic father. And the fact that you make a fantastic living certainly helps."

"Whatever, doll, you were with me long before I made any sorta money."

I look up and kiss his cheek. "I know, but I loved you just as much back then. I'll always love you."

"All a part of the marriage vows, baby."

December 30th, 1956. 4:36 pm. Tabernacle Baptist Church, Lubbock

"Sometimes when you meet someone, it's so clear immediately that the two of you, on some level, belong together. As lovers, or as friends, or as family, or as something entirely different. You just click, whether you're in love or creating things together or foxhole buddies or partners in crime. It's clear that this is what you're supposed to be doing, that this is what you're for. You meet these people throughout your life, out of nowhere, under the strangest of circumstances, and they help you make a life. I don't know if that makes me believe in coincidence, or fate, or sheer luck, but it definitely makes me believe in something.

Buddy, you. You were meant to meet me. You were meant to come into my life. As soon as I saw the nerdy kid walking up to me in the hall, I knew he was going to mean something to me. I didn't know if he'd be a friend, an enemy, a partner, or a lover but I knew he was meant to be in my life. That nerdy kid turned out to be the most important person I've ever met. He turned out to be tailor made just for me. He understood all my jokes and references, he made me laugh, he made me smile endlessly. He loved me. He loved me for who I am at my very core. He was with me through the best times of my life and some of the worst times. He was there when I needed him. It truly felt that I could tell this person everything. We connected on more levels than I thought were even possible. He saved me from myself, and I don't know if he even realizes that.

Buddy Holley. Everytime I hear that name I smile and my heart still beats a little funny. Everytime I hear it, I feel more love and more genuine happiness than I ever thought I'd find.

Charles Hardin Holley, I love you. I love you more than anything else in this world, and I don't know how I could ever live without you. You're my other half. My better half. You're my best friend. You're my entire world. You're my everything. I love you, Buddy. I love you more than anything else in the world. I wouldn't trade any memory with you, they're all perfect. You're my soulmate, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you."

--

"On September 1st, 1952, I saw a cute redheaded girl standing across the hall. She was speakin' a different language with another gal who looked just like her and a boy who looked like them. She had a peculiar thing 'bout her. Somethin' drew me right to her. Before I knew exactly what I was doin', I was walkin' right up to the three foreign kids in the hall.

The cute redhead that caught my attention was wearin' a red skirt and a white top, and the second she introduced herself, I knew I was a goner. She had the prettiest voice and the prettiest name to match. Violet.

I fell head over heels right away. I knew I'd marry you the very day we met. Hell, I even told Larry that I'd marry you three days after we met.

I dedicated my entire life to you, and I don't regret any of it. I've done everythin' I possibly could for you, and I just hope it's enough. I can't give you the sun or the stars, and I can't give you everythin' you deserve, but I can give you myself, and I hope that's enough.

I finally admit, your hair isnt orange, but it isn't red, either. It's violet. It's the color of you. It's the color of my heart and my happiness. It's the color that makes my heart race and my hands go clammy. It's the color of my life.

Soulmates are real, Violet, you taught me that. There's somethin' that exsists within all of us that's deeper than love, and it's truly beautiful."

-

"And do you, Buddy, take Violet to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Buddy nods. "Yes, I do,"

"And do you, Violet, take Buddy to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I sniffle a bit before smiling. "I do."

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!"

Buddy pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around my tightly and kissing me.

I hear the church start clapping and wooing as I place my hands on either side of Buddy's face.

When we pull away, he his lipstick around his mouth. I giggle, licking my thumb and wiping it off.

We turn and face the relatively small crowd, both of us beaming with tear tracks still on our faces.

It happened. It finally happened. We had a real wedding ceremony. This feels real, I actually feel married. Sure, Buddy and I have been legally married for three years, but it never felt like this. It never felt so permanent. I have a real wedding ring and we got to really say our vows. I never thought I'd live to see this day, but here it is. I'm standing infront of family and friends, and next to the love of my life.

It's like every little girl's dream come true. Buddy may not be perfect, but he's my prince charming. He's exactly the man I need in life and exactly the one I wanted.

"I love you so much, doll," Buddy says low enough so that only I can hear.

"I love you so much more."

He squeezes my hand as we start to walk back down the aisle.