AN: Time jump here, guys! Chapters will be longer at this point. And don't worry, flashbacks will keep you filled in on what happened from last chapter to this. It's a pretty long time jump.

Fitz's POV

I rub my hands anxiously. I usually never bring Karen to these types of things. I never know what her reaction will be or how it will affect her. This is really a big step for her and I am worried about how she'll handle it. I look next to me. My daughter is facing ahead, a calm expression on her face shadowed by the black curtains surrounding us. I am more nervous than my preteen daughter and that's ironic considering just how timid Karen used to be. Now she's grown to be a beautiful young woman who's brave enough to agree to things like these. I'm used to things like this while it is relatively new to Karen. She's so young and I do everything I can to protect her. Especially ever since...that time.

"You're getting tall, kid," I joke around with her, patting down the Dutch braid woven in her long, light brown curly hair. Even though Karen is only eleven, she's almost up to my shoulder. She takes after me, I guess. I was always tall. "You ready for this?"

She nods confidently and brushes my hand off her hair. "Yeah, I'm fine. It took me literally three hours to make this braid. Don't mess with it."

"Is twenty minutes your definition of three hours?" I tease her and she playfully punches my arm. She didn't try to make it hurt intentionally but it does anyway. I laugh a little to brush it off. I really can't believe how strong Karen's gotten. She's not the same girl I had to pull out of bed in the mornings four years ago. She's not the same girl who I had signed up for ballet, softball and chorus just to get out of her shy ways. Karen used to never speak to anyone - now most of the times she can't stop talking and it's adorable. After a year of therapy and a lot of socialization, Karen and I started really getting closer. I gave up a lot of work time just to spend the weekends and holidays with her all day. She began school but I was always there to drop her off, pick her up and tuck her in at night. I tried so hard. I tried my best. I sacrificed so much. And seeing my baby girl next to me in a yellow floral dress and a white cardigan about to go out on stage to have our very first political interview on DC Discussions featuring Neil Jones together is worth it.

A young girl with a ponytail and clipboard crosses the stage and comes to the sidelines with us. "We're fifteen seconds out, folks. Are you ready?"

I look back at Karen. "Game face, okay, sweetheart?"

She nods back at me and gives the ponytail girl a thumbs up. The girl smiles and scurries back through the set and off to the other side. I look up at the cameraman, indicating to the TV host Neil Jones that they have five seconds left by holding up his fingers.

Five...four...three...two...one...

X

Five Years Ago

"You're getting out."

I look up at David Rosen. After nearly five months, I have suffered through the hellhole called a prison. I know that sounds like nothing compared to Evan (Low) who served nine and a half years, but it's enough. Enough for me. I have fought through literally blood sweat and tears. I got beat up for times, the third nearly half to death. But they didn't release me. Not until now.

"Why?" I finally choke out.

"I'll tell you later," David quickly rummages through his briefcase and ignores my question but he's smiling. Smiling wider than I have ever seen him smile before. "Now's not the time."

I laugh out loud and look around the visitation room, wondering just how crazy everyone thinks I am. I'm not laughing because anything is funny. I am laughing because I genuinely don't believe David. "Are you serious right now? Like, are you joking? About me being put on bail? Are you joking?"

David pulls out a black pen, a thin packet of stapled papers and a small empty white bag that has the words DOC on it in small black lettering. "You're not being put on bail, Fitzgerald. As of this morning, you have no criminal record. You're being acquitted of all charges."

I feel my stomach drop. I can't speak for a few seconds. After nearly five months, I have suffered through the hellhole called a prison. I know that sounds like nothing compared to Evan (Low) who served nine and a half years, but it's enough. Enough for me. I have fought through literally blood sweat and tears. I got beat up for times, the third nearly half to death. But they didn't release me. Not until now. es down and my brain melts from the initial ice cold shock, I mumble out, "How?"

David just goes on beaming.

"T-there haven't been any new developments!" I stutter.

"There have," David assures me. He pushes the packet towards me across the table, his smile not left from his face. It hasn't faded. It may even be getting faded. "I don't have time to explain them to you, not now. Sign here. Go get your stuff out of your cell and go to processing. I'll meet you out front."

So I sign. I sign like I have never signed before. I jump up, grab the bag and RUN. Nobody stops me. Even in the hall, the COs don't even look my way. I don't mind. I don't care. I'm getting out. I am going to see Karen. I'm gonna be a free man. It's gonna be hard - of course it's gonna be hard. But I'll make it work. I survived this far. That has to mean something.

I push open the door of the cell. Surprisingly, Ace and BG are there for what seems like the first time in days.

BG gets up from the mattress he's sitting on with Ace. "Why you in such a hurry, F?"

I grab the only important things to me by my bed - some pictures of Karen and Gerry and my copy of The Catcher in The Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird, things David brought in for me over the months. He was reluctant to when I asked him because he thought it meant I was giving up - getting comfy in prison because i thought I would stay here for a long time. And I wasn't giving up, I was just being realistic. I'm glad that's not the case anymore. "I'm getting out of here."

"no shit?" Ace speaks up. "I didn't know they reopened your case."

"They didn't," I smile, trying to balance my until finally giving in and stuffing them gently in the bag. "They found the guy who actually did it."

Ace and BG break out into congratulatory comments but I tune them out and look up at Evan. His face is in his journal like usual but for a split second, his eyes lift and meet with mine. I swear I see him nod. I nod back, then slap hands with Ace and BG. Even though I got harassed a lot in here, they were never the instigators and I appreciate that. They're good guys. They weren't my best friends but they never gave me shit and even stood up for me sometimes. And I won't forget them.

I say goodbye to them all and exit my cell. I look around one last time, trying to recall what I need to do or who I need to see. Then I realize I don't have anybody. I don't have a life here and I wasn't out here for a reason. This is not my destiny - not where I belong.

For whatever reason, I'm getting and another chance to get out and make things right by my family.

And nothing will get in the way of me taking it.

Not this time.

X

Karen and I get a kind hearted introduction and a tremendous applause when we walk on set. I put on that political charm smile and follow Karen, who confidently walks to the couches. There's one single seat sofa and a long couch. After Neil hugs Karen and shakes hands with me, Karen and I take a seat on the long white couch. I put my arm around her shoulder and she leans into me.

So far, so good.

"So," Neil takes a seat and clears his throat once the applause finally dies down. "I think that you two are very deserving of that applause. Don't you, Karen?"

Karen smiles sweetly. "Yes."

Neil returns the smile. "You and your dad just moved to DC two and a half weeks ago. What's your favorite part of town?"

"Hm," Karen considers it. She doesn't seem shy at all. She's very confident in her answers and you can tell she is enjoying all the attention. She's like her mother in a better, more innocent version. "The dogs, I guess."

The audience erupts in laughter and awes but Karen was being so serious. She is struck by just how many dogs there are in DC. she loves them. She has been begging me for one, ever since we landed in Dulles Airport. I promised myself that as soon as I secure a spot on the US Cabinet, I'll get my daughter whatever type of dog she wants.

"There are a lot of dogs in DC," Neil chimes in. "Let's talk to your father for a second. Mr. Grant, how does it feel to be personally nominated for Secretary of Defense by President Sally Langston?"

I clear my throat and smile once again. "I'm honored and grateful towards President Langston. The next step is getting approved by the Senate. Then I will officially be in the US Cabinet."

The audience applauds suddenly, surprising me. Neil nods but looks as if he couldn't care less. He probably doesn't. DC Discussions is more of a gossip talk show than a political one. He folds his hands. I know what's coming up. Sure enough, he clears his throat and a serious look grows in his eyes. "Can I ask about the big elephant in the room, Mr. Grant?"

I laugh nervously. "Well, you're gonna anyway, so."

Neil grins and the audience laughs but soon it becomes quiet again, giving Neil the opportunity to jump the gun. "Just five short years ago, tragedy struck when you were accused of murdering your son Gerry, who was seven years old at the time. How did you and your family deal with said accusations? How were you able to heal and be where you are today?"

I look over at Karen to see if she's doing okay. She seems to be fine, but her shoulders feel a bit more tense under my arm. I squeeze her shoulders, hoping she relaxes. Not for the purposes of it looking better on screen...just because she's my daughter and I want her to be okay. Especially in a time like this. I look up at Neil. "Well, it's just Karen and I nowadays, taking DC together. It's hard sometimes. It's always been. Up until three or four years ago, people would call me 'child killer' on the streets. And those things were very harmful to my family - it made it that much more to heal." I take a deep breath. "Gerry was a beautiful little boy and a fantastic son. I will spend my entire life missing him. I still love him to no end. But now is my chance to move on. To do right by my daughter. This is my second chance at a political career. And I owe it to Gerry to live my own life to the fullest."

Neil nods, as if he's approving my answer. The audience claps respectfully, as does Neil. But he looks and smiles at Karen again. You can tell he and the audience are just infatuated by her. "What about you, Karen? How are you doing, honey?"

"I miss my big brother," Karen replies quietly. The audience awes but Karen is simply telling the truth. No matter how much better she's doing and no matter how much time passing, she lost her best friend that day. She still cries sometimes. It breaks my heart. "But my daddy didn't do anything wrong. I wish people would leave him alone sometimes. Unless they wanna say nice things."

I lean down and kiss her forehead. And not for show. I just want her to know that I am okay. No matter how much crap people throw at me, I have been through worse. I have survived worse. And I'll be fine. I just want her to never go through anything like that ever again.

"Well, we know your father didn't do anything bad," Neil assures her gently. "And we're so happy to have you both here tonight. How does it feel to be in the DMV after staying in the west coast sun for such a long time?"

I smile. "DC is such a beautiful district. It's where I want to be. But I think Karen is a little reluctant about not being able to go to the beach every day or so."

Neil laughs and turns to Karen, who is blushing. "I think you'll come to really enjoy DC, Karen. What are you most excited about if your father gets the job?"

Karen presses her lips together. "Maybe if he gets a job, we'll get a dog!"

Neil laughs before turning back to me. me. "We really appreciate your candor with us tonight, Mr. Grant. Good luck on your bid to senate in two short weeks. Are you nervous?"

"No," I shake my head. "I've spent a good year preparing for this bid. I want to serve my country and like I said, do right by my family. This is the next step for us."

"Like I said, thank you for your honesty," Neil leans over and shakes my hand once again. "You're in our prayers, Mr. Grant. Good luck and thanks for joining us tonight."

I take Karen's hand and we both get up as the audience applauds again. "Thank you for having us."

X

"You did really good," I repeat once we're in my Mercedes, driving to our new house in the Kalorama area. I must have said this about five hundred times after we left the station. "I'm proud of you, sweetheart."

Karen's light blue eyes remained glued out the window next to me. She's been very quiet ever since we left and began the ten minute drive home. It reminds me of the past years, where I would literally beg her to speak to me. I don't like it.

"I knew you would be good," I go on, stealing a nervous glance at her. I don't know why she's being so silent. Something is definitely wrong and I can't quite put my finger on it. "But damn, Karen. You exceeded all my expectations. You answered those questions like a pro. The audience liked you more than they liked me."

I make a left turn through Massachusetts Avenue, waiting for a reply. I don't get one. Maybe she's cold - it's October, after all. I lean over to put the heat a little bit. "Karen, sweetheart. Are you okay?"

She nods politely, still facing the window. Her eyes look like she's a million miles away in her mind. "I'm fine."

"I've heard that before," I sigh, thinking it will provoke her to elaborate. But it doesn't. I pull into our neighborhood and into our driveway - the first one on the street. I pull the keys out of the ignition and turn my body to face her. "Please look at me, Princess. I thought we were doing so good. We were talking. Don't do this, Karen. We to communicate."

She waits a second before turning towards me. In the moonlight through the window, I can see tears glistening down her cheeks. She clears her throat before admitting in a soft voice, "I miss Gerry."

I reach into my suit and pull out a baby blue handkerchief. I lean over and gently rub the tears from her face. She sniffs and vegans crying hard. It breaks my heart and I want to cry as well. "I know you do, baby. I miss him too. I miss him everyday."

"I-I," Karen mumbles through the fresh tears pouring from her eyes. She grabs my forearm. "I don't wanna do this. I wanna move back to California. I don't want you to be the Secretary of Defense."

I scoot closer so I can hug her. She rests her sobbing face into my chest and I tuck her head under my chin. This Isn't the first time I am hearing this.

Karen has somewhat of a phobia of change. For a solid month after I was released, she wouldn't eat anything but milk and Oreos. I was informed that while I was in prison, that's all she ate for three square meals a day. She refused to eat anything else. When I came home, she slept in my room for a couple a while. I thought it was normal for a few weeks...she was grieving. But then she wouldn't leave. She wouldn't go back to her room. Then, I bought a house outside of the city. She refused to pack her things up until two days before the moving truck came. She doesn't like change. She hates coming here to DC but I thought she had accepted it. It's kind of like one step forward, two steps back. It's frustrating sometimes. Like two steps forward, one step back. But at least you're moving, right? And then sometimes a big step comes along, like getting on a plane to travel all the way across the country, to start a new life. Or a chapter in your new life. Karen and I have been through hell and back. But now we're here. We're doing it. Step by step. Together.

"But we are doing this," I tell her firmly, my hand against her back. I am trying to comfort her and tell her to get it together at the same time. "And we already left California. And I am about to be the Secretary of Defense. We're doing it, Karen. We got it, baby. We'll be fine."

Karen sniffs and I lean over and open her door so she can get out. I slide out of my own side and move across the car so I can help her out. She wraps both her arms around one of mine and we make our way through the gravestone pathway and up the white porch steps. This was the first house I came across when I was researching residencies near GeorgeTown and I fell in love with it. The neighborhood is really beautiful and big with two small water bodies on either side, adjacent from each other. The rows of houses are all luxury townhouses with three spacious floors. When you first look at our house, it's polished, pressed limestone and a big porch with a white swing next to the white door. The door is outlined with white gold. When you enter the foyer, you are right in front of the grand white staircase. Every room is freshly painted and there's a full backyard. It's four bedrooms and four bathrooms. It's around two thousand a month for ten years, when I pay it off, plus the patio reconstruction I need. It's my dream city house. It's huge but cozy enough for the two of us.

When we enter the house, it's lit up because upstairs, Lena is still rummaging through boxes to fill up our cabinets with pots and pans. Lena Hernandez is a godsend. We hired her back when we moved to the country side of Long Beach, California. That's when I realized that I could not take care of Karen, my career and housing simultaneously. I hired Lena as a maid but she became more like family. She's like Karen's mom and my best friend. She's a bit older and she still doesn't speak that much English, but she moved out to DC with us and helped us tremendously with unpacking.

"Lena," I call out, hoping she can hear me from the second floor, where the kitchen is. "Karen and I are home!"

"You hungry?" Lena calls back down after a moment.

I look down at Karen, who is still crying silently. She shakes her and buries her face in my side. "No, Lena. But thanks."

Karen and I walk to the next room - the big living room. We sit on one of the black couches the movers put in here last week. The living room is probably the biggest room in the house. The whole bottom floor is just the living room, plus a small foyer, a bathroom and a shoe closet. It's not funny furnished yet, but it's carpeted eggshell white and has a few black couches in it.

"I know things are hard," I whisper to Karen after letting her cry for a minute or so. I pull both my arms around her tightly. "But we've been through worse. Wouldn't you say?"

She doesn't answer, but I know she's thinking about it so I continue mumbling into her hair. "Honestly, baby girl, in the end, you're the most important person in my life. And we're in the together. So you have to talk to me. Even if you're really upset. Even if you did something wrong. Even if you think I don't care, I promise you that I do. So can you start speaking to me?"

"N-no," Karen stumbles on her words through her sobs. "I hate this. Everything is different. I miss the way things were before."

I'm surprised when she says that, considering that when I got out of prison, things were everything but easy for us. We went through so much hardship and the way I see it, we're in the best position we've ever been. DC is new for us. It's the best choice. It's where we can start over. I gotta admit that that interview may not be the best way to achieve that, but I am obligated to set the record straight. I spent a lot of time being scared. Scared of achieving, scared of succeeding. Because there would always be haters. Like, people who wanted my head on a stick. They still think I did it. They think I killed Gerry. But I didn't. The only thing the get out of accusing me is more pain from my daughter and I. And who would wish misery on an eleven year old girl?

"Things before were really bad," I tell Karen candidly. I try to shield her from some things but in reality, there is only so much I can hide. When Karen began second grade in Long Beach, seven parents pulled their kids out of class because they didn't want them to be near the daughter of a 'murderer'. She got bullied. Even when she was seven years old, my baby got bullied. No little girl should have to deal with that. Kids can be so cruel. I sent her to private school after that and although things got a little better, it was nearly unbearable. For a long time, I couldn't be seen in public. Lena would take her shopping and celebrate her birthdays out with her. Karen and I spent a lot of time together at home, but it wasn't the same. I felt awful, but it was for her protection. "Before, Karen. We were in a bad place."

"I don't care, Daddy," Karen hiccups. "I was happy. As long as I was with you, we were okay. Why do you have to go get that stupid job?"

Oh. So that's what this is about. I clear my throat. "At that interview, there was a lot of talk about my new job, wasn't there?"

She nods a little bit. I go on.

"And for the past couple of years, it seems like I have been very busy. Haven't it?" I ask and she nods again. "And baby girl, it's not gonna get different. I'm still gonna work hard. Harder, now, even. I have a very important job. I'm gonna be working with President Langston, trying to make really hard decisions. I'm gonna be away from home a lot."

She hides her face in the side of my torso. She's crying again, but I am not gonna tell her a lie to comfort her. She's my daughter and I am gonna be honest.

"I am gonna be working a lot," I repeat, rubbing her shoulder. "But, Karen, don't you think for a second I am going to forget about you, okay? I will always be thinking about you, even in the White House. I'm gonna be thinking of ways to make you smile when I come home. I am gonna be talking about you with the President. I am gonna take pictures of you and put them on my desk. I'm going to FaceTime you and show you all around the Oval Office. I know sometimes it's scary for you when I'm not there. But you don't have to worry. I'll be home every single time to kiss you goodnight. I promise."

She sniffs for a second before peeking her face out from my shirt. She wipes her nose and looks up hopefully. "Really? But what if the president makes you stay at work one night?"

"She won't," I shake my head, smiling. "If she does, i'm gonna quit. You know why? Because nothing is more important than you, Karen. We are a family. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Okay?"

Karen wipes her eyes and collects herself before finally whispering, "Okay."

"Okay," I lean over and kiss her tear stained cheek. "It's getting pretty late. You should go to bed."

"I am," Karen takes off her wedge shoes and holds them in her lap. "Just one more thing, Daddy. Why did you take this job anyway?"

I lean back and chuckle softly. "I really want a picture with the President."

Karen giggles and disappears into the foyer doorway before heading upstairs. I remain seated, with my hands in my lap, looking around at the half empty boxes littering the living room.

I told myself I wouldn't lie to my daughter. And for the most part, I haven't. But...I just did, obviously. The real reason I am doing all of this, moving out to DC, taking care of my daughter, trying to get my life back together is because of one person. One person that I made a promise to a little more than five years ago.

A promise I know I am gonna try to keep.