General Hospital Recap February 23: Maxie Chooses, Michael Fights Chase, Sonny Kisses Justine

TL;DR: In today’s General Hospital recap, Maxie chooses between Spinelli and Nathan. Plus, a furious Michael confronts Chase, leading to an explosive fight that Dante has to break up, and Ric opens up to Alexis about his past, present, and future.

General Hospital Recap Feb 23

At Maxie’s, Spinelli told Lulu how afraid he was that Maxie’s love for him wasn’t as deep as the love she had for Nathan. Lulu assured him that Maxie loved them both, just in different ways.

Lulu assured Spinelli that he and Maxie had built a life together, and she wasn’t going anywhere. He said the only thing worse than Maxie leaving him would be for her to stay out of some sort of obligation. 

Spinelli said he just wanted her to be happy, even if it wasn’t with her. “That’s what makes you the hero, even if you don’t end up getting the girl,” Lulu told him.

Maxie Makes a Choice

At the cemetery, Maxie thought it was surreal to see Nathan. She said she hadn’t upgraded her phone for years, so she wouldn’t lose the sound of his voice.

Maxie asked how it happened or if he remembered what happened that day. Nathan said he remembered coming to Crimson, looking for Maxie, and his father was there and shot him.

Nathan said he remembered being at GH, and she was with him, but then everything went dark. Maxie had a flashback to the moment that he died.

“And then I woke up, and Nina was next to me, and I was in GH. Seven years of my life were just gone,” Nathan told her. He apologized for leaving her and their baby.

“No, Nathan, you didn’t leave, you were taken from us,” Maxie said, adding that she knew he would never leave her. Nathan shared how he met James in the hospital.

Maxie told Nathan about her grief and how she wound up with Peter. She said that she didn’t regret it, though, because she had Bailey Lu. Nathan understood and told her he knew how hard it must have been to be alone all those years.

“I wasn’t alone. I have Spinelli,” Maxie reminded him. Nathan asked what that meant for the two of them. Maxie told Nathan that she already made her choice. “I love you, Nathan,” she said.

Wiley Doesn’t Want To Be There

At Drew’s house, Wiley got out of bed to tell Willow that he didn’t like it there and wanted to sleep at home. Willow suggested that they read together until he fell asleep, and Wiley gave it a try.

Willow assured Wiley that the house would soon feel like home and that he and Amelia wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Willow was glad that Wiley had a new favorite book, but her smile faded when Wiley said that Michael got it for him when he told him they would go to Hawaii that summer.

As Wiley slept on Willow’s lap, she recalled putting the key on Michael’s ring. 

Michael Is Released

At the police station, Ric explained to Michael, Dante, and Justine that Wiley offered the information unprompted. Dante said it would still need to be corroborated.

Ric said that if Chase had anything to do with decisions made in the case of Drew’s shooting, then they had a big problem because he’d already interfered, resulting in a guilty person being exonerated.

Justine reluctantly let Chase go. Once alone, Dante told her they had no choice, as Chase was the reason he subpoenaed Michael’s keys.

Turner said that if Chase tampered with the keys then maybe he did tamper with the video as well. Dante said he’d never seen Chase cut corners. “Then maybe you have as big of a blind spot for Chase as Chase seems to have for Willow,” she snapped.

Dante wanted to talk to Chase and get some answers. Justine said she needed to get the department in order before heads rolled.

In the lobby, Michael wondered if Chase knew that Wiley saw him, but Ric didn’t think so. Ric warned Michael to stay away from Chase. “If he’s willing to throw away his whole career just to railroad you, who knows what else he might do?” Ric pointed out.

Meanwhile At The Brown Dog

Gio and Sonny met for beers at the Brown Dog. Gio told his grandfather how much he missed Emma so much, and worried that she might not return.

Sonny encouraged Gio to hang in there and assured him that he was a great boyfriend. As Sonny went to leave, Turner stormed in straight to the bar. Sonny asked if she was alright and offered Justine some company.

Sonny and Turner got a table to have a drink. She was hesitant to talk until he stood to leave. Justine told him that her problem was his son. She was mad about everything, especially letting Willow slip through her fingers the first time.

Justine didn’t know why Sonny was being nice to her. She felt that Michael’s life was forever changed because of her. Upset, she stood to leave and grabbed her coat before storming out.

Across the bar, Josslyn sat at Gio’s table and told him that she, too, cared about Emma. She admitted that she had a reason to stop by the apartment that night and pulled out “The Crystalline Chronicles” book.

She told him that she thought it would be useful to Emma and explained that Faison wrote it about Anna. Josslyn let Gio believe she’d picked it up at a bookstore. “I know you didn’t ask, but if Emma doesn’t come home soon, you should go see her,” Josslyn added.

At a table, Lulu had just sat down when Nathan walked in. They looked at one another and he smiled.

Ric Confides In Alexis

Alexis met with Brook Lynn and Chase about reapplying for adoption. When she asked if anything had changed since their original application, Chase admitted he’d been demoted.

Alexis said it wasn’t a crime to be demoted. Chase hoped it was something that wouldn’t ruin their chances of adoption.

When Alexis went back to the office, Ric came to see her. He told her Chase took her theory about Michael a little too far. He said Chase’s harassment might even result in financial restitution for Michael.

Alexis asked if Ric was that hard up for cash now that his blackmailing days were over. She noted that Ric was representing Michael, son of the man he hated.

Ric insisted he didn’t hate Sonny, and that he had changed. He said he realized the importance of family, wanted to have a real relationship with his daughter, and his mindset had changed. He wondered if he wasn’t around, if anyone would miss him.

Ric believed that Molly would be the only one who would miss him if he were gone. He realized that Sonny and Molly were the only family he had.

Alexis said she found it hard to believe that her basement was that transformative. Ric said he had nothing to do there but think.

Maxie Goes Home

Maxie came home to find Spinelli waiting and worrying. “I saw Nathan,” she said. Spinelli said he was sure it was a joyous reunion and that he was really happy for her. “I’m happy for James. He’s finally got his father back.” Maxie added.

Spinelli closed his eyes as Maxie said that she told Nathan that she would always love him. “But you are the one I’m in love with, Spinelli…and I choose to be with you,” she added.

Spinelli opened his eyes. “Why is that a surprise?” Maxie asked. She assured him it wasn’t an obligation, it was how he had been the best father and loved her. She said it was how he fixed her phone so she wouldn’t lose Nathan’s voice mails, and why she stopped listening to them. “This is about love. You’re my person. It’s you…I choose you,” she said before they kissed.

Michael Confronts Chase

Brook Lynn and Chase were talking about the adoption when Michael came home. “You want me? Come at me — but stop using the PCPD to do it!” Michael yelled. Brook Lynn asked what was going on, so Michael told her that Chase put Drew’s key on his ring.

Michael threw the keys on the counter next to Chase, who then lunged at Michael as Brook Lynn shrieked. Fists flew until Dante came in and broke it up. 

Chase insisted that he didn’t do it, but Michael screamed at him that Wiley saw him. “You’re dirty! You know it, I know it — and now they know it too!” Michael yelled.

Brook Lynn said there must be a misunderstanding and yelled at Michael for taking his anger out on her husband. Chase stomped out of the room, and she followed.

Michael swore to Dante that he never had a key to Drew’s house. “Well, if Chase really did put that key on your keychain, he just did you a big favor,” Dante said. He told Michael they couldn’t build a case against him now since the evidence is compromised. “Compromised or not, what do you believe?” Michael asked. “I believe you’re innocent,” Dante told him.

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