I lean back in my chair, thumbing through the gift catalog that Donna gave me. She really does do a nice job picking out gifts. It's not like I have any real idea what to get my third cousin. I initial each spot mindlessly as I come across the tabs.

It's been quite a day. I probably should be focused on the missionaries in Sudan, but my mind keeps going back to Doug Westin. I sort of felt bad trying to shut him down. He's not the brightest bulb in the box, but he's usually a nice guy. Although I will admit, he didn't do me any favors today. Why couldn't he just take a hint?

If I'm going to be thinking about Doug Westin, I should be thinking about what kind of influence to wield in his fledgling campaign. There are several options. Should I try harder to get him out? I could call Hal. Should we consider going all in and endorsing him? I could probably get him elected. But I'd probably need to take a leave of absence to do it. And I really don't believe in him that much.

The most important thing is what's best for the White House. And what the President wants? If it's to get Doug out of the race, maybe the President shouldn't even know.

But if I'm really honest with myself, I'm thinking not really thinking about the politics. Because my mind keeps coming back to a little, tiny baseball glove. And the pride in Doug's voice when he said his son was already hitting like a pro. And the exasperation, but genuine love, when he described the challenges of raising a teenage girl. How would I feel if my daughter pierced her eyebrow? What would it be like to play catch with my boy?

It's not just today. I find myself having these thoughts more often now that Amy is out of the picture. While she had me ensorcelled, I didn't imagine having children. I just can't imagine having children with Amy. There's only one woman I've ever thought of like that.

And here she comes now.

Oh sure, she looks so sweet and innocent in that soft pink sweater, but she's actually quite conniving, that one. And I'm about to call her out on it. As she's standing next to my desk, doing stuff with paper, I toss the catalog down in front of her-

"Who's that for?" I challenge her. She glances at the page, and her silence confirms what I suspected.

"You picked your own gift?!" I purposely make my voice sound shocked, even though I'm not.

"I'm in charge of shopping."

She refuses to accept the premise that she might possibly have done anything wrong. Smart girl. I've taught her well. Now, to have some fun.

"I already got your gift."

"No, you didn't. Three weeks in advance?"

She's right to be skeptical, but in this case she's wrong. I really did already buy her gift. She's going to love it. I can hardly wait.

"I saw it Thanksgiving. I got it."

"No, you didn't. What is it?"

"I'm not telling you."

"I want to know."

No, she doesn't. Not really. She'd rather banter about it for three weeks. I know her. But, I play along.

"Really?" She just smiles at me expectantly, waiting to see if I'll cave and tell her. Ha! I'll show her. "It's a gift certificate. Tower Records. 'Cause you're a fan of the music. You get to go on a spree."

I watch her try to keep the disappointment off her face as I'm fictitiously describing her gift, and I almost confess, almost but not quite. Once she finds out what I actually got her, she won't mind that I lied.

Before I let her go listen to the carolers, I do need to get a little business done, so I reminder her to get me a meeting with APPROPS about reprogramming some Foreign Aid money.

As she heads out the door, I find I can't resist. I call her back.

"Donna." She turns and smiles at me, fully aware that the game is back on. "It's not a gift certificate."

Her eyes light up. "What is it?"

"I'm not telling you."

"I want to know."

"Socks."

"Stop it."

"I'm not telling you. Live with the pain."

Donna walks away, giving me a little glare, but with an enormous grin on her face. I feel light and happy inside, the best I've felt all day. Like I said, only one woman I've ever imagined truly sharing my life with. And what a life it will be!

I need to remember to pick up some funny socks. Just to keep her guessing.