"We need to talk about something," Rod told Mac as they climbed into bed.

"Like what?" she asked with a smile, snuggling up next to him.

"Like the election."

Mac sat up and looked at him. "Not you too…"

"I'm sorry, sweetie. But we've got to talk about it." Rod looked at Mac lovingly, stroking her cheek tenderly.

"Yeah, I know."

"You are still going to run?" Rod asked, partially for clarification and partially for a conversation starter.

"I already am running, Rod. I have been. I'm running for office again."

"OK. And you know that you have my support…"

"Do I, Rod? Because it doesn't really sound like it," Mac said seriously.

"You know that I'll support you no matter what you choose."

"Then what seems to be the problem?"

"I just want you to think about how a new set of twins is going to affect your presidency."

"Rod, this is why I want you at home with them, instead of being my chief of staff. I know it's going to be hard…"

"Mac, I think you have a decision to make. How much does this presidency mean to you?" Rod looked at her firmly.

Mac stared back incredulously.

"Are you saying it's 'us or them?' I have to choose between the presidency and a family. Is that what you're getting at?" Mac stood in the heat of her words. She was beginning to seethe.

"Mac, I just want you to think about…"

"I AM thinking about it, Rod. It's all I can think about. You think I'm not beating myself over this? How can I choose?"

"Mac, choices are hard to make. The easiest choice is not always the right one."

"Believe it or not, Rod, I know that already," Mac snapped.

"Hey," Rod said, a bit offended.

"Dammit, Rod. Obviously I can't choose the presidency." Mac took her head in her hands for a moment, and then went back to her fuming. "Our children are living inside of me. That's not going to change. I have no choice. There is no choice to make. I can't run. Not if I don't have your support." Mac's eyes began to water in her rage.

"Listen to me," Rod demanded, grabbing Mac's shoulders with force. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"Of course not, Rod," Mac spat, turning away from him.

"Mackenzie!" Rod said, shocked at her.

"WHAT?!" she screamed in frustration, collapsing to her knees.

"Oh, Mac," Rod said, pulling her off the floor and holding her close to him. She sobbed into his chest. "I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you… I know it's there already."

Mac sobbed harder.

"I wasn't trying to say that I didn't believe in you, Mac. That's not it at all. If there's anyone in the world who can be the President and a mother at the same time, it's you. I just wanted you to know that you had an option. You don't have to do it all. You can, I know you can, but you don't have to." Mac wrapped her arms around him tighter. She never wanted to let go of him.

"What am I going to do?" Mac gasped between sobs.

"You can do whatever you choose to do and I'll be right behind you, Mackenzie. I love you more than you can imagine."

Mac looked up at him with a watery half-smile. "I love you, too," she said softly, burying her face in his strong chest.

"There's nothing you can't do, Mackenzie. Don't ever forget that."

"You remind me every day," she whispered.