"Was that really necessary?" Harrison had waited after he'd caught up to Shireen again, had given her silence and space that he'd thought that she needed. At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder if Shireen even realized what a luxury she had in even having a parent present in her adult life. Sure, Jocelyn had made a mistake in keeping Shireen's parentage a secret, but she'd had good reason to.

But he kept his thoughts to himself while they kept walking; waited patiently for an answer - if she even had one. He knew what that was like.

She waited before she gave it and even then it wasn't an answer - not really. "Define necessary."

"I'm just asking - was it necessary for you to hurt your mother's feelings just now?"

"What I did was not about hurting my mother's feelings." Shireen stopped to turn and face him. She didn't expect him to understand when she could hardly find the words to understand it herself. Whenever she thought about the secrets her mother had hidden from her, Shireen's thoughts and feelings got all jumbled up to the point where she could barely think about getting from point A to point B in her own head, let alone anyone else's. She wasn't trying to hurt anybody…"It was about me protecting mine."

Her jumble of confused thoughts and emotions must have shown more than she'd ever intended; something changed in Harrison's expression as he looked at her.

"I'm sorry…" It wasn't fair to drag him into her personal mess. She was his company's former clients; from what she understood, the president was their new client and with her mother now working closely with him - didn't that put Harrison right in the middle of a conflict of interest?

"This isn't fair to you." She said. Shireen turned to go, but was halted by the unexpectedly gentle pressure of Harrison's hand on one arm.

Her eyes met his, then just as quickly fell away.

"You don't have to do that." He said.

"Do what?" she asked, a little more breathless than she would have liked, and not quite sure of the reason why.

"Run away." Harrison said. From me - the thought came unbidden and un-looked for and not without a small shock to himself. Enough of one that he found himself uncharacteristically stumbling over his words. "I'm - I'm your friend, aren't I? I told you once that I was here to listen whenever you needed me - and I still am. Friends do that."

"And so maybe I should?"

Harrison paused for the space of a single heartbeat; the promise of her smile encouraging one of his own. It was infused in his words. "You said it, I didn't."

"I did, didn't I?" Shireen smiled at him again. It seemed smiles were suddenly contagious between them.

He smiled back. Friends do that.

This was the best way to end a day, Fitz thought to himself, surrounded by family and friends, back in the Residence after his movie date with Karen and Godzilla. Gerry had joined them - even if from a distance, a few seats over from them with a group of boys close to his own age - but he had been there - and seeing him laughing and happy along with everyone else - well, Fitz had been grateful for that. After all, it was the day for it, wasn't it?

Now, he was settled into the media room in the Residence, with Karen seated next to him and Teddy in his lap. James was on his other side, with Ella in his lap, the two toddlers refusing to be separated from one another. Olivia was seated on James' other side, and between the three of them, Teddy and Ella had been happily trading laps and hugs until just a little while ago, their sleepiness had begun to catch up with them.

He couldn't help the grin that curved his lips; no doubt Karen had had something to do with Gerry's decision to join them both at the impromptu picture session and at the movies and once again, he found himself marveling at the fact that Karen was the younger sibling.

He laughed to himself then, knowing that Olivia would be more than happy to remind him that it's a very well known and acknowledged fact that women matured much sooner than men, his good humor increasing even more as he imagined that Karen would enthusiastically endorse the idea. The idea that the two of them could tag-team him on that subject - or any subject - any time they liked just added to joy of the day.

Cyrus was seated at the opposite end of the couch in one of the plush side chairs; like the rest of them, his gaze was mostly focused on the big screen before them - but when he thought that no one was looking, those same eyes shifted to travel over the group, with a sense of calm and relaxation - and peace - that Fitz hadn't seen in Cyrus's face in a very long time. If ever.

The interview was playing again; which brought another smile to Fitz's face. That - along with the rest of the day - couldn't have gone any better than if he'd planned it all…

The lead-in had been close to perfect - Kimberly's voice-over, introducing America once again to their president; remarking and reminding the country on how well he's recovered from the assassination attempt, all while a short montage of past images flowed across the screen, ending with scenes from today, including one where Fitz had thrown the football to Gerry.

That last scene changes to a casual Fitz in the White House; the lock of hair that always seemed to come undone whenever he exerted himself was playing its customary role. Fitz had never really paid it much mind until Olivia had pointed out its attractiveness to the opposite sex to him and now it was almost embarrassingly clear to him that even Kimberly was finding it hard to resist reacting to it. He felt her eyes returning to it more than once, seemingly unaware of the smile that showed when she did.

He'd allowed her full rein to ask what she will, fully aware that it had been live TV and that meant anything could happen. But while her questions were penetrating - they are also respectful of both him and the office.

In return for her open access, Kimberly allowed him to set the tone even as her questions took a more intimate turn. He supposed he had Olivia to thank for that. He'd seen the two of them talking before the interview had begun.

And now, the conversation turned to the divorce - as he had known it would. Especially mindful of the earlier clash with Sally and her cabal, Fitz was careful to make it clear that there were no plans for a reconciliation - only a plan to move forward into new lives for him and his family.

"That's understandable, Mr. President." Kimberly said. "Can I ask how it feels to be a single man in the Oval Office?"

"Honestly…" and here Fitz gave her the open smile that would be echoed around the world in the first of the many images that would mark his re-election campaign and would be in more than a million tweets, retweets and memes. "…there hasn't been time to think about my single status - there's just been too much work to be done."

To the world, he might appear to be a single man, but his heart and soul had been caught up long ago. Fitz didn't know it, but the thought of Olivia and her love -their love - reflected itself through every part of him. His mouth curved in a gentle and open smile, warming his expression and lighting up his eyes - and the millions of viewers around the world reacted to it. Especially the women.

"This. Is. Magic." Cyrus leaned over to whisper in Olivia's ear. "If we could bottle what Fitz is selling right this moment - and sell it - we could make a million bucks, easy."

"You can't put a price on this, Cyrus." Olivia whispered back. "And he's not selling anything. This is just Fitz being Fitz." She found herself struggling to keep her emotions from showing. Her heart was full of her pride and love for Fitz. What the world was watching was just a snapshot of the very many things that made Fitz the man that she loved. "I told you, he doesn't need protecting."

"Hail to the Chief." Cyrus' voice was tinged in something close to awe, and she couldn't agree more.

Kimberly, along with the majority of the viewing audience, had been no exception in reacting to the president's openness and honesty and the unconscious pull that accompanied it.

Her own smile grew. "Admirably said, sir - but inquiring minds have been linking your name to several women over the last few months." She began counting their names off on her fingers. "Elizabeth North, Susan Ross, Olivia Pope, Jocelyn Martin, Colleen Cassidy to begin with." Kimberly pointed out. "You were seen not too long ago keeping company with Colleen and her father."

"Along with close to one hundred other people at any given time." Fitz said with a laugh. "But yes, we've been talking; Colleen and I - or more exactly, this administration - have found enough common ground that we're looking at the possibility of several future joint projects."

He held up a hand, giving her a knowing grin as he forestalled the questions he saw hovering on her lips. "And that's all I can say about any of that at this time."

"At this time…" Kimberly pressed.

He shook his head and they shared one last grin before she gave in and changed the subject. "What about Susan Ross - she's been working very closely with you quite a lot for some time as well now, hasn't she?"

Fitz nodded. "Susan has a refreshing point of view that has been truly lacking in DC for some time, so yes - I've had the honor of her company - and I've been lucky enough to be the beneficiary of the wisdom - the honesty - that she brings to the table - very, very lucky."

"Perhaps I should ask Senator Ross to be my next sit-down interview?"

"Perhaps you should." Fitz agreed.

Kimberly nodded and went on. "And everyone knows, of course - of your Communications Director and now Deputy Chief of Staff, Olivia Pope."

"…who turned my campaign around and brought me back from the brink of defeat." He said easily. Fitz has never been shy about praising Olivia and he wasn't about to start now. Mindful of their plan, Fitz was careful to keep his enthusiasm on a tight rein, but neither would he hesitate from giving Olivia her due and the praise that she's rightfully earned. "She's been indispensable in so many ways that I could never thank her enough for all that she's done. Believe me when I tell you that she's more than earned her promotion."

Kimberly had nodded in Olivia's direction as Fitz talked and when the camera had swung briefly in her direction. Olivia had smiled in response.

"Another name that's been linked to yours in conversations is Elizabeth North…"

Just the mention of her name was enough to annoy Fitz, but as careful as he'd been hiding his true feelings for Olivia, he'd managed to do the same with Elizabeth. He shouldn't have been surprised, but he did wonder for just a moment, who exactly had whispered Elizabeth's name into Kimberly's ear. Was that something else that he could thank Sally for?

He put that thought aside for further consideration at a later time and answered Kimberly's question. "With Ms. North being the GOP Chairperson, of course we're going to have contact and work with one another - but that's what it is - work. We're both professionals, doing professional work, side by side - and I hope any speculation in that direction respects that." Just in case Elizabeth hadn't gotten the hint already, here was the opportunity to make his intentions as clear as he could, Fitz thought to himself with a great deal of satisfaction.

Either way, that was all the traction that Fitz intended to give her. And determined to nip that particular bit of speculation in the bud, he dismissed Elizabeth with a wave and a smile - let the viewing audience - the rest of the Party, and Elizabeth herself, if need be - think of that what they will.

Kimberly took his cue and moved on. "And Jocelyn Martin?"

It was clear that Kimberly had decided to follow his lead and turned the conversation into a game she was playing for the benefit and entertainment of the audience at the same time.

Cyrus would call this marketing gold - the kind you couldn't pay for or orchestrate and he smiled inside at the thought that Olivia would agree and approve. Fitz knew that she and Kimberly had had an unspoken working agreement even before she'd come to work exclusively for him, one that benefited both of them. From what he could see, it hadn't ended and even Fitz could see the benefit of playing along. He relaxed and gave Kimberly another grin.

"Mrs. Martin - Jocelyn - is a very happily married woman and is now a permanent member of my senior staff. I also will state for the record that over the last year or so, she's also become a very good friend."

"A very attractive friend." Kimberly pushed the point - just a little.

"She is definitely that - but hello - have you met her husband, the Heisman Trophy Award footballer?" This time Fitz laughed out loud and it was totally genuine. "I've been called a lot of things in my political career, but crazy and suicidal has never been one of them. At least not yet."

"Point taken, Mr. President." Kimberly gave him a smile full of understanding for both him and their audience. "You do understand that I'm not asking for myself…" she made a gesture that was meant to include the world beyond the cameras . "But the country is both curious - and more than just a little concerned."

Just then, Fitz noted from the corner of his eye, Karen wandering in, holding Teddy in her arms. He'd been resting his head on his big sister's shoulders, but perked up as soon as he saw his Dad.

Fitz looked from Teddy to Karen and from the look in her eyes, he knew immediately that their appearance was no coincidence. Father's child indeed, he thought even as he gave his daughter a knowing look. Karen smiled right back at him, totally unrepentant and absolutely pleased with herself, even as Teddy began wiggling in her arms. As soon as she set him down, he headed straight for Fitz.

He swept his son up into his arms and grinned at Teddy, before turning his attention back to Kimberly.

"I don't know what to tell you." Fitz said. "I can appreciate the curiosity - as well as the concern - but as I've already said - these days I just don't have either the time or the energy to direct towards anything outside of work and family."

By now, Teddy had settled himself into his father's lap, laying his head against Fitz's chest and snuggling closer. Automatically, Fitz slipped one arm around his tiny body, while the other hand came up and began rubbing Teddy's back.

"I can only imagine, sir." Kimberly was obviously smitten with the sight of father and son. She could also tell that the president was operating on pure instinct in the moment.

She was also inwardly, gleefully aware of the images she was getting to broadcast LIVE around the world. She was mining television gold that would be replayed time and time again. Did he even know the picture he was presenting?

If he didn't, she did - and Kimberly was going to make sure that no one was going to forget her role in this. She leaned forward. "But at the same time, you do have to admit, that to anyone who's paying attention, it appears that you - a man that's considered attractive to many people across the spectrum of the American landscape - have developed a habit of surrounding yourself with attractive women."

Fitz actually blushed a little at the compliment.

"I'll just have to take your word on the whole me being found attractive thing." He said with a deprecatory shrug and almost apologetic expression. "But other than that, my goal has always been to surround myself with smart, intelligent people. All of the women you've mentioned are smart - brilliant even - and extremely knowledgeable in their fields."

"But, Mr. President…" Kimberly gently prodded.

Fitz shrugged again, then leaned forward slightly and it was suddenly as if for a moment Kimberly Mitchell was a close friend and not just a journalist and they were conversating one on one. "To be honest, it's just a matter of knowing that I'm not always the smartest person in the room. That these people that you've mentioned just happen to be women is actually beside the point - and the fact that they are is an added bonus."

He turned back to the camera and the world. "I will state for the record - if necessary - that over time, I've found that women often bring a unique perspective to the work that needs to be done."

Of course his words met with Kimberly's approval and it showed as he followed his declaration up with a question of his own. "Wouldn't you agree that we need more women active in the upper levels of our government?"

"I can't argue with that." Kimberly said. "And I'm sure that I'm speaking for the majority of Americans when I say that I approve of the sentiment."

As Kimberly spoke, something in Fitz moved him to look over at Karen again. Now she was standing between Olivia and Cyrus and looking back at him with pride and approval. He basked in it for a moment, long enough that the camera had tracked his gaze to his daughter and then back to him.

"And I'm guessing that approval is also coming from close to home." Kimberly said as she also noted the exchange.

"I hope you don't mind me saying that you just got a look at the next generation of smart women." Fitz said. "As I said earlier, I have so little time for some of what's really important - I don't get to see any of my children enough - and then there's the fact that they grow up so fast…"

Kimberly was quick to assure him that there was no need for him to apologize, that she was pretty sure that America definitely knew just exactly what he felt.

With the short time remaining to them, she decides to move onto a more traditional line of questioning and asked him if he had any thoughts to share about the day.

Fitz nodded thoughtfully, gathering his thoughts. Despite the bumps in the road that had come his way today, there was a lot he had to be grateful for. "If this day - this season - reminds me to think of anything, it's to being aware of what we should be celebrating this season of gratitude and I, personally, can't think of anything more to be grateful about than the fact that my children are here, they're all in good health and that they're happy."

"I'm sure every parent in America feels the same." Kimberly said.

A small commotion beyond the camera caught their attention. Fitz was surprised to see James trying to move quietly in Cyrus' direction as he stood off to one side.

Sorry, he was saying to Cyrus - as quietly as he could manage - "…but someone was insisting on seeing Daddy and this Daddy wouldn't do."

Cyrus made one attempt at looking not particularly moved, the effect quickly ruined as Ella threw her arms around her father's neck.

After hugging her father tightly, Ella looked around and seeing Teddy and Fitz, began to squirm in Cyrus's arms while she called out to Teddy.

"Down!" she demanded. Cyrus tried to hold onto her, but Ella was determined and he quickly gave up.

Ella made a beeline to Fitz and Teddy. "Hi, Uncle Fizz, hi Teddy, hi!"

No one could resist from joining in the small wave of laughter that followed her words and Kimberly said what everyone else was thinking. "Uncle… Fizz?"

"My god-daughter still has a bit of a problem with her T's and Z's." Fitz explained. Once again, his expression softened and once again, the world saw beyond the Office to the man. "But I wouldn't have it any other way. Honestly, I wouldn't mind being her Uncle Fizz forever."

Teddy had perked up when Ella called his name; they all watched as Ella took Fitz's hand and tugged at him impatiently. Fitz laughed and after setting Teddy down, held each of them by the hand as they followed her lead. Ella headed straight for his desk and looked up at him expectantly. Fitz opens the front panel in the Resolute desk and pulls out a bag of over-sized Lego building blocks. The two of them begin to play, so perfectly comfortable that it's obvious that this isn't their first time playing together here.

Fitz gives them both one last indulgent look before settling himself on one edge of the desk and turning his attention back to Kimberly. She and the camera crew were eating this up.

"If America wants to ask me what I'm grateful for - it's this." He gestures towards Teddy and Ella and there's so much love, compassion and hope in his eyes in this moment that it's undeniable. "These two - they're the future, the promise of what America can be - could be - no, should be…"

His next words come slowly, as if these were thoughts that were just coming together for him. And maybe they were, even as all of America watched. "'In order to form a more perfect union' - we all know those words from the Preamble to the Constitution. I see a glimpse of that in them. And maybe it's just a dream of mine, but maybe it shouldn't be some far-fetched dream - maybe it doesn't have to be. If there are enough people in our country that share this dream, we can make it our reality - and I'll be grateful to be one of many to lead the way."

In the momentary silence that followed his words, Fitz looks over to where his friends- his family - were standing. Karen was looking incredibly proud of him and he felt his heart swell with happiness. His gaze moved from her to Cyrus and James and lastly to Olivia. All of them smiling back at him brought it all home for him, because they too were a part of the future that he realized with a new determination - that he wanted to have a hand in creating - a future where they were all free to be whoever they were, to reach for whatever dreams that they might have - to live and to love whoever it was that they wanted to love…

Fitz would never truly know how much of what he was feeling showed itself to the viewing audience, but as he would learn later, everyone else in the room most certainly did.

Again, Kimberly said what the rest of them were already thinking. "Mr. President - was that you just announcing your intent to run for re-election?"

Fitz looked startled, but only for a minute. With the eyes of the world on him, he seemed to take a moment for himself where he took in the impact of his own words. If there had been any question of it before, it became clear now that he hadn't been speaking from any prepared speech, but openly and honestly from his heart.

"Well, officially, such an announcement is made by duly appointed delegates at the party's national convention, but if I'm allowed to speak directly to the American people one last time tonight, it's to say this…" Fitz turned from Kimberly to look directly into the camera.

He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, thinking about every thing that had happened today and all that he'd felt; the ups and downs, the challenges and the triumphs of the day was all tangled up with the greatest sense of gratefulness that he'd felt in a long, long time. Today he'd had it all - his health, his children, the company of those closest and dearest to him. Without realizing it, his smile widened, turning up its natural wattage by one thousand percent. "If they will have me, if they are willing to share my dream for our future, then yes I - Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, do hereby declare my intention to run for re-election as President of these United States."

Surprised along with everyone else, Kimberly was clearly more than a little pleased with the scoop - and was smart enough to know when to quit while she was ahead.

"Ladies and gentlemen, just remember, unofficial or not - you heard it here first." She said to the camera. She turned back to Fitz. "Thank you, Mr. President - and while I wish you good luck - I doubt that luck will have anything to do with it."

If Fitz was surprised at her not so subtle endorsement, he was careful not to show it. When she reached out a hand, Fitz took it in a warm handshake. "You're right - it won't be luck, it will be up to the American people. Thank you, Kimberly."

"Thank you. Mr. President."