Some important conversations were had in the February 4 episode of General Hospital. Lulu (Alexa Havins) asked Laura (Genie Francis) for advice aboout her feelings for Nathan (Ryan Paevey) just as he did the same with big sister Nina (Cynthia Watros), Ric (Rick Hearst) and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) facilitated a mediation between Michael (Rory Gibson) and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) that ended with the latter setting her ex-husband up to take a fall, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) fished for information from Obrecht (Kathleen Gati), Jason (Steve Burton) and Sonny (Maurice Benard) strategized on how to deal with Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), and Felicia (Kristina Wagner), Mac (John J. York), and Emma (Braedyn Bruener) were shocked by Anna’s (Finola Hughes) state when they got to her in France! Here’s the full recap:
Payback’s A Bitch
Ahead of the custody negotiation meeting with Ric and Alexis, Willow put Drew’s house key in her pocket as Michael arrived at the Miller & Davis reception desk. When he thanked her for agreeing to meet, she made it clear that she hadn’t yet agreed to any terms. She stared at Michael’s keychain (a photo of Wiley and Amelia) as he pocketed his keys and hung up his coat, then suggested that they shouldn’t speak without their lawyers present. Once inside the office, Willow wasn’t happy to see Ric there and hear that Diane was in court. Clarifying that he was there to facilitate an agreement and wasn’t officially representing Michael, Ric explained that family court could take years for a custody arrangement to be hammered out. Then Alexis chimed in that they should reach an agreement today that could be presented to the judge. Willow scoffed that might be in Michael’s interest, since he was about to be charged with Drew’s murder and was dating a hooker with a record, but she was in a better position, and there was no reason why she shouldn’t take her chances in court.
At that, Alexis informed Willow that several arguments could be made against her in court, namely, how the police had evidence that Drew had paid off Judge Heran, then killed her to cover it up. Because Willow shared a home with him, Alexis added, it was unlikely that a judge would even give her half custody, so her case wasn’t a slam dunk. Again, Willow mentioned that Michael was about to be arrested for attempted murder. Alexis sternly replied that Willow was missing the fact that, in the eyes of the law, the case was about the best interest of the children, not her, and she should compromise with Michael. Reluctantly, Willow asked what Michael had in mind, but called his offer of every other weekend and one month in the summer ridiculous since Drew had a massive stroke and wasn’t going to be a part of the kids’ lives. As the exes argued over shuttling the kids back and forth between homes, Alexis interjected that many children of divorce do that and suggested a 60/40 split in Michael’s favor. While Michael quickly agreed, Willow said she needed a minute to think it over and stepped into the hallway.
Apologizing to Michael for how her defense of Willow put him in the PCPD’s crosshairs, Alexis told him that she thought he was a good man and admired how he always put his children first. As Michael stated that he hoped Willow would do the same, his ex-wife took his keys out of his coat pocket and slid Drew’s house key onto the ring! Returning to the office, Willow accepted the custody terms. Alexis said she’d write up the paperwork to present to the judge and told Michael to run the agreement by Diane. Parting ways in the reception area, Michael acknowledged to Willow that neither of them got what they wanted, but they’d compromised for the sake of the kids, and she replied that all she ever wanted was what was best for Wiley and Amelia.
Things were awkward when Lulu and Nathan ran into each other at Bobbie’s. He wondered if she’d avoid him after their kiss, but they both agreed they wanted to remain friends, even if it was going to be difficult with the attraction between them.
Meanwhile, over at Nina’s condo, she complained to Liesl that she didn’t think it was wise for Willow to take care of Drew herself at home. Agreeing that would only make the couple’s toxic co-dependent relationship worse, Obrecht suggested Nina convince Willow to find other care for Drew, but Nina didn’t want to risk ruining her fragile relationship with her daughter. Liesl advised Nina that it was a mother’s job to tell children the hard truths, especially when they didn’t want to hear them.
After leaving Bobbie’s, Nathan stopped by Nina’s and confided in his sister that he had feelings for Lulu. Although happy to see how smitten he was, Nina understood why Maxie was an issue. Nathan revealed that he’d always love Maxie, and when he first came back, it was as if no time had passed for him. But she’d moved on and created a family with Spinelli, and he had no intention of interfering with that when she recovered. Nina questioned if Nathan had feelings for Lulu because it made him feel closer to Maxie, but he insisted that he was attracted to Lulu because of who she is. Even though they’d both agreed it couldn’t go anywhere, it didn’t change how he felt about her, Nathan said, and his friendship with Dante further complicated the situation. Nina thought he could start out dating Lulu quietly, but Nathan didn’t want to build a relationship on lies. Then, she advised her brother to trust his heart if it was leading him to Lulu, and Nathan declared that was what he was going to do.
