The First Lady was a political animal. She trapped her prey in a corner and she handed him a fresh cup of punch. "I went to your office Toby. I thought you'd stood me up."

"No ma'am. I wouldn't duck out on an obligation."

"I'm glad. I wanted you to see how happy these kids are because of your suggestion."

"Not sure that's correct Mrs. Bartlet, it might be the sugar."

"Have it your way. But I know the sweetness of this moment is due to your sweet nature." Toby just nodded, he wasn't sure how to answer that. The First Lady put a hand on his arm and squeezed it. "I left something for you on your desk. Use them and enjoy yourself, that's an order." The words were stern but her tone soft.

"Yes, ma'am." Toby decided it was safe to get out after Abbey Bartlet moved off.

He went to return his punch cup and found a little blond girl ahead of him. She was struggling to put her cup towards the back of the pile since the front was overloaded. Even on tiptoe, it was a losing battle. "Here let me help you." Toby reached over and took the cup from her. He placed it on the back of the table with his. "There you go."

"Thank you." the little girl turned around and Toby thought of an intellectual angel. The blonde hair framed blue eyes that shone behind glasses.

"You're welcome. Are you having fun?"

"Oh yeah. Did you have a cupcake, they're delicious. My name is Courtney Brewster, what's yours?"

"Hello. I'm Toby Ziegler."

"Do you work here?"

"Yes, I do. How about you?"

Courtney giggled. "No, I'm in school. You're being silly."

"Okay a little." Toby was relaxing around this charmer. "Were you in the play?"

"No, I don't act. I helped write the play."

"I see, an author. I hear it was very good."

"You missed it?"

"Sorry. I was in my office working."

"What do you do?"

Toby wondered how best to describe his job to this child. He settled for telling her about the part he loved best. "I'm a writer too. I help the President with his speeches and reports."

"Do you like it?"

"Most of the time."

"That's nice. I like to write stories a lot. I want to be a writer when I grow up. Maybe I can work here and help you."

"Or maybe you'll be the President and I'll work for you."

Courtney laughed at that and then as kids do so easily, moved on to another subject. "Do you like Valentine's Day? I do."

"It's okay.", Toby told her.

"I got Valentines from everybody in my class and one from the President and the Firstest Lady. How about you?"

"No cards. But I got some candy and cookies."

Her face fell. "No cards? That's the good, the goodest part of the day."

Courtney's distress for him bothered Toby. "It's all right Courtney. I used to get cards."

"When you were little?"

"Yeah." The short answer worked best. Toby didn't need to burden a little girl with a list of grown up disappointments, failures and follies.

"Excuse me." Courtney ran off. Toby was ready to leave. But he decided to wait a minute to see if she came back to say good-bye. She was a little girl but a gentleman like Toby still wanted her treated like a lady. He fussed with the things on the table and looked around the emptying room. As usual, a female had left Toby perplexed.

Then he heard the sound of running feet. Courtney was coming toward him with a big smile on her face and a small envelope in her hand. "Here this is for you." She handed Toby the envelope.

Toby took it and saw his name on the outside of the envelope. Inside was a Valentine's card with the message:

"If you'll be mine,
everything will be fine."

It was signed, "Courtney Brewster". It was a typical child's Valentine but it left Toby as speechless as a poem by one of the great bards.

Courtney told him, "I had an extra one left over. But it's not left over now, it's yours. Do you like it?"

Toby dropped to one knee in front of her. "Yes, I do like it very much. Thank you. It's one of the nicest things anyone's ever given me."

"I'm glad you like it."

"But I don't have a Valentine for you."

"That's okay. I got lots of them."

One of the adults with the group came up to them. "Excuse me. Courtney, it's time for us to go."

"Okay. I wish we could stay longer."

Toby introduced himself to the teacher while frantically searching his mind for something to give Courtney. He was going to ask her address when it hit him. He knew what he could give her. "Courtney, why don't you take this?" He held out a pen with the Presidential seal. "The President gave it to me for my writing, now I think another writer should have it."

"Wow. Really? Is it okay?" Courtney asked and her teacher nodded.

Toby suggested, "Maybe you can use it to write your next play or story."

"I will. Thank you Toby."

"No Courtney, thank you." Toby shook hands with the teacher and was about to do the same with Courtney. Once more she surprised him.

"Can I give you a hug?"

For the second time in minutes, a rarity occurred. Toby was left speechless. But only momentarily. "I'd like that."

She threw her arms around his waist and squeezed tight. Toby hesitated for an instant and then returned the hug. Courtney pulled away and said, "Bye, Toby."

He couldn't speak, just waved. After Courtney left with her teacher, Toby noticed Mrs. Bartlet at the door. She had a tear moving down her cheek. Toby exchanged a smile with her. He nodded as he passed by. Then Toby stopped, looked around the room and leaned down to kiss the First Lady on the forehead.

(TO BE CONTINUED)