With her cries lessening more, she says, "It just feels like he never existed sometimes. We rarely talk about him. It's like we've forgotten about him." Fitz closed his eyes as he felt her words of truth. Olivia too knew that hit both of them between their eyes. Having a better understanding of her response; Olivia said, "You're right Karen. We don't talk about Jerry enough. And that's going to change, you have my word."

Her reassuring, considerate words were like magic to her ears, as they wrapped her like a blanket on a cold winter's night; giving her the comfort she needed to settle her emotions completely.

With her tears stopped, Karen took a breath while still in Olivia's embrace. And then she sat up, while they all grabbed tissues from the coffee table. Smiling awkwardly as they cleaned their faces.

Nonetheless, once the silence was broken. The room felt lighter and much calmer. Fitz looked at his daughter as she stared at him and Olivia, and said, "Thank you both. I'm sorry for becoming a crying mess." Fitz quickly replied, "Don't ever apologize for expressing how you feel Kar. Especially not to me, your mother, or Liv. Like Liv said, we are all here for you sweetie. And we're sorry for being oblivious to your struggles regarding your brother. We'll do better."

She smiled at him and it was the best response he could've hoped for, given the heaviness of what they'd experienced up to that point. She thanked him, but he felt like he needed to thank her. Because he had to admit, he had forgotten about her and her brother's banter. And it felt good to remember him, and them as they were before he passed away. Those were good times, and he needed to remember those times more, when thinking about him. Instead of being caught up in the idea of him no longer being alive, and all that surrounded his death.

It was a touching moment they shared as a family he won't ever forget. He hugged his daughter and thanked her for reminding him to remember Jerry's life, and what he meant before he died. It was something that lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders. It was a true moment of healing for all of them.

With the mood completely settled between them. Fitz then recalls how Olivia didn't miss a beat, in regard to continuing to drive home the point of their conversation. After she checked in with Karen. Making sure she was okay. She said, "Honey, we understand your intentions with Ella and Teddy are good natured. But we need you to understand your words matter. So while this instance wasn't serious, there will be more times in the future, where the stakes could be much higher. And if they can't come to you as their big sis, who can they go to?"

Fitz followed her lead by adding, "Liv's right Kar. You are in a powerful position in respect to the little ones. And with great power, comes great responsibility. I'm sure you recall all the times you and Jerry covered for one another, and talked out things before talking to me or your mother." She understands their point, and despite still thinking they're being rather over protective. She lets it go, knowing they mean well. With her agreeing to be more careful when interacting with the kids. Knowing her view was still the same; it made both Olivia and Fitz smile to know she was still respecting their request for her to be more considerate when she deals with the kids.

Regardless of the matter being resolved as far as he and Olivia were concerned at that time. They learned a few days later that was not the case. After the conversation ended, Karen went to spend the weekend with her mother. And of course it was after that weekend visit, an additional learning lesson presented itself.

Once Mellie got wind of what happened, she opted to pounce on both him and Olivia regarding their perspective on the matter, ultimately siding with Karen's initial response. Which didn't really surprise either him or Olivia. Because she's always looking for a chance to disagree with them for sport. But what ultimately shocked both of them was Karen.

After hearing her mother's reaction, she had a change of heart. Which of course annoyed Mellie, because as always she takes it personal when someone disagrees with her. But, neither Karen, Fitz, nor Olivia opted to entertain her. They simply let her be who she is. Always angry for no reason, and looking to blame someone else for it. Despite it probably being her fault.

The interesting twist came when Fitz and Olivia asked her why she had a change in heart. She plainly told them if her mother is agreeing with her, she may need to rethink her stance. Her reaction had both of them in awe. Because again, she'd managed to make a great point.

Not wanting to feed into anything negative where Mellie was concerned, especially not with their children. He merely praised her for being an independent thinker, and congratulated her on being willing to compromise and consider other positions of issues. Olivia even joked that's a mark of a politician. Something he didn't think of as a fit for his daughter until he saw how she grinned at Olivia's comment. Suddenly, he was thinking he could be the father of the first female president of the United States. Wouldn't that be a hoot?

Snapping out of his original thoughts, he's now calm. No longer is he worried about Olivia. And he almost laughs at himself as he thinks, she's not made of glass man. Let her be. If she's having trouble, she'll tell you. And if she's not, she'll tell you that too. Just trust and let her be. Don't deviate from what's been working to this point.

Feeling better, now that he's talked himself off the worry ledge. He looks at the clock and sees it's almost time for his meeting. Just as he stands up and grabs his files. There's a knock on the door. He puts down the framed photo, he'd since picked up while in thought. Putting it back in place on his desk as he says, "Come in Jarrod."

The door opens and his Chief of staff walks in as he says, "Hello sir, the briefing is in ten minutes." Fitz nods and says, "Thanks for reminding me. I'm ready." Jarrod smiles at him as he says, "You're welcome." They make their way to the sit room, and he reengages in his day.

Meanwhile, Olivia sits on the couch opposite her therapist and they share smiles as Dr. Baker says, "I am surprised to see you today." Olivia nods as she responds, "Yes. I know. I'm sorry for canceling earlier. I honestly didn't think I needed to come. I've been managing the stressors of life so well. But after getting some unexpected news today. I figured I needed somewhere I could sort through my feelings and thoughts in a healthy manner."

Dr. Baker nods, acknowledging her statement as she replies, "Okay. Tell me what's going on?" Olivia knows she can't be completely honest about the details surrounding her situation, due to her therapist's ethical obligations to report acts of criminality to authorities. But, she also knows that she has to let some of her thoughts out, before anxiety sets in and she explodes.