Prince Narrates:

December 1, 1986. I get out of bed and head to jewelry store for Penelope's present. As I wait for the salesman, a display of engagement rings catches my eye. Penelope and I are almost ready, now that I realize how much I appreciate her. What a great wife she'd be! How would I propose? "Thinking about marrying the little lady?" the shop owner asks with a laugh.

"Who knows?" I reply,"But first I've got to take care of Christmas. I want a charm bracelet. Silver."

"That sounds perfect!. My name is Tom and Penelope has done some of our ads before"

I want this to be very symbolic of our relationship so I pick out a cat (Amethyst), a globe (travel), a guitar (obviously-all the music we play together) and a heart (which I choose to have a "P" engraved on). "Can you do something custom?"

"For you, yes."I tell Tom what I want. "That's a tall order. But it's going to be done and wrapped up in time"

December 24, 1986 Penelope and I have had an amazing month, being sure to not be two ships passing in the night even though we've been busy. One thing that is keeping us busy is the final plans for our New Year's party. Penelope will finally meet Dad. I'd have introduced them sooner but we'd been working quite a bit. She's seen him at events he was invited to but they never got a chance to meet.I can't wait! When we're not party planning or working we spend lots of time together doing the simple things:cuddling, playing with Amethyst, shooting pool and of course making passionate love.

Penelope Narrates:

December 25,1986. Prince gets woken up by one of my kisses. "Why are you sleeping on Christmas morning?" I ask.

"Because I'm not a little kid." Prince replies. He gets out of bed.

Other than some guards, the staff is off today. We cook breakfast together in our pajamas. Cooking with my man with such a small staff around makes me feel like we're a more like a "regular" couple than normal. The way we kiss one another you'd think the ceiling was covered in mistletoe.Amethyst comes into the kitchen for her food. "Merry Christmas, Pretty Kitty." I say to her.

"She doesn't know what day it is." Prince tells me.

"Probably not, but I got her something anyway."

"You've spoiled her" Prince laughs, knowing he's just as guilty of that as I am. Amethyst even has a bed in his office. And once I saw a bag of cat treats his studio. Prince claimed Annette brought them. Uh huh.

"Amethyst, because you've been a good kitty all year, I got you a new catnip mousie!" I tell her after breakfast as I present it to her.

Prince shakes his head. "You're adorable" He comments "but now you have a gift to open."

"I have everything I need." I reply. We kiss each other.

"Here you are." Prince has this impish grin on his face as his gives me his gift. I can tell it's jewelry-the choice of all men. Since Prince picked it, I'm sure it'll be nice though. When I see the charm bracelet inside I squeal! Charm bracelets are one of my favorite pieces of jewelry and this one is all related to us! I'm a little confused because there's a big empty space in the middle.

"Looks like there's room for one more." Prince smiles. He pulls out another charm- A LITTLE PAISLEY PARK! Now I'm going to cry I can't hold back my tears when Prince shows me where it says :Home sweet home.

"It's perfect! I love it!" I tell him as he helps me put it on. "Here's your gift."

His gift is a basketball, signed to him by one of his favorite childhood basketball players. I'd remembered him mentioning this player and I'd got in touch thanks to my sports connections. The ball is in a special display case. Prince's eyes grow wide" Wow! Penelope...that's really thoughtful. Thank you. " He sets the ball down to hug and kiss me. Amethyst happily bats around our discarded ribbons. 

The right spot is decided on in the living room for Prince's basketball. "We've got to get dressed and head over to Sophie's" Prince says.

Prince and I are attending a holiday gathering at my Aunt Sophie's house today. We're gathering up all the wrapped gifts we're bringing. The weather has made everything outside icy. Gotta love Minnesota winters. Even Prince gives up and puts on a proper pair of winter boots.

Abigail, my five year old cousin is running around taking pictures of everyone with the very basic camera she got for Christmas. It's pretty funny to watch her enthusiasm. I notice some mistakes she's making, but don't say anything, not wanting to ruin it for her. She stops in front of Prince and raises her camera. Aunt Sophie gently stops her"Honey, I don't think Mr. Nelson wants his picture taken." She laughs even though Prince does occasionally end up in random group pictures at family parties.

Abigail looks confused. To her Prince is no one famous. He's just Mr. Nelson, her cousin's boyfriend. "Why not?" she asks.

"It's fine," Prince smiles, "Who am I to stop the next Penelope Smith? Go ahead,Abigail"

Abigail happily takes his picture. He politely tells her not to have her fingers on the lens and lets her try again. Then she runs off to take a picture of her dad. Prince follows her and he lifts her up so she can get a nice head shot of her dad. A small chorus of "Aws" come from some of my female relatives.

Sabrina walks in carrying the little man of the hour, Sammy and looking even thinner than when I last saw her! Bitch! Everyone rushes over and tells her what a beautiful baby he his and how great she looks. "Once a trophy wife, always a trophy wife" smirks Brad.

Mom and Dad give Prince and me a very nice photo album for our photos from the upcoming Sign o' the Times tour. I'm also given a much needed new set of Tupperware.

I present Dad with his gift from Prince and me- a certificate saying that we've hired someone to clear the snow for the rest of the winter. Needless to say, he loved it. Of course he likes the slippers Sabrina gives him. But who wouldn't rather have snow removal? Mom gets a very special gift from Prince and me. It's CD. Of me playing songs she loves on Derek's guitar. I didn't sing. Prince produced it and designed the cover. She starts bawling as she hugs the both of us. "I can't listen to it here. I need to wait until I get home." she sobs,"This is so sweet of you."

Sabrina gives me dirty look before smiling at Mom and handing her a package."This is to Grammy from Sammy." she giggles. "Sammy's" gift is one of those ornaments made from an impression of the baby's hand.

"Aw....this is adorable!" Mom coos . Sabrina has this smug expression her face. Gift giving is not supposed to be a competition, but it seems as though she wants it to be one.

Aunt Sophie and Prince are exchanging jazz LPs they bought each other and laughing. I walk over"Great minds think alike?" I ask.

"Yes, you're lucky I'm not twenty years older or I'd be your uncle" Prince laughs.

"Don't flatter yourself,"Aunt Sophie teases. "I've already been married and quickly got divorced. Penny, I gave Prince a record just like the first jazz album I ever bought. I had a lot of great dances to that one"

"I've never heard of it" Prince admits. He walks across the room and puts on the album. Music fills the room. Prince holds his hand out to Aunt Sophie. "For old time's sake?" He asks.

"Of course." She smiles. Once they start dancing, many of the other guests do too. A slow song comes on. "Penny, I insist you cut in." She says. I do as I'm told. Even though we're getting stared at a lot this feels right. So wonderful. He quickly kisses me, which makes my younger, more immature relatives cheer.

When Prince and I sit down, Sabrina comes over to us. I wish she'd go away! "Prince, We bought you something" she says.

"You didn't have to." he says before opening a beautiful purple journal.

"Read the first page." she giggles.

"'For writing pretty songs about Penelope' " Prince reads with a smile. "You know I will." My gift is a fantastic vintage necklace. Our gift to Sabrina and Brad is gift certificate to a cleaning service because Sabrina hates housework.

"One of you want to hold Sammy while we take some things out to the car?" Brad asks.

"No, thank you. He's too small. I don't want to hurt him." I say.

"He's about the same weight as Amethyst. You haven't hurt her." Prince insists.

I sigh and nervously take him. Sammy falls asleep. And he is kinda cute when he's asleep. Sammy wakes up screaming and I say "Prince, tell Sabrina to get her ass in here and get her kid."

"Calm down, Penelope. Sammy...shhh."Prince kisses the top of Sammy's head. "Your folks will be right back"

Sabrina and Brad come back and Sammy is only mildly fussy now. "I think he's ready to go now" Prince laughs.

"It is past his naptime." says Brad

"We'll see you two real soon." swears Sabrina.

Eventually Prince and I leave too. We're one of the last to leave. As he gets into my passenger seat he says,"I really do like your family."

Maybe I have no right to have this cross my mind, but Prince is so natural with my family and I love him so much that I can't help but imagine him as...my husband.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!