General Hospital RECAP: Friday January 22, 2016

In Wyndemere's living room, Nikolas became alarmed when Hayden suddenly pushed him away as he tried to kiss her. He asked if he had done something wrong, but she shook her head. Hayden admitted that it was flattering that Spencer thought Nikolas was in love with her, but she felt overwhelmed. Hayden explained that their night together had been more than just sex, which was a new experience for her. Hayden begged Nikolas to be patient because she had no idea what to do with the love that he offered her.

Nikolas was surprised when Hayden admitted that she'd never been in love before. She revealed that she and her ex-husband had said the words, but neither had truly meant it, which was why their marriage had fallen apart. Nikolas confessed that everything had changed for him during his hospital stay because he had seen that she genuinely cared about him -- not his money or what he could give her. Nikolas promised that he loved Hayden, but he was concerned because he saw fear in her eyes.

Hayden confided that she was afraid of how much she loved Nikolas. He conceded that love was a risk, but he promised that it was a risk worth taking. Hayden knew Nikolas was right, but he was confused because she was still holding back. Hayden admitted that she was afraid that she didn't deserve him because their relationship had started off rocky. She assured him that she had fallen in love with him along the way, but she wondered if their relationship would be strong enough to go the distance and weather storms.

Nikolas suggested that he and Hayden focus on what they had rather than what might happen, but she argued that she had a lot of baggage. Hayden thought it would be better if she spared them both a lot of grief and simply left, but Nikolas wanted Hayden to stay. "As my wife," Nikolas added. He quickly explained that he didn't want to marry her to safeguard ELQ; he wanted her to be his wife because he was deeply in love with her. Hayden was shocked when Nikolas went down on bended knee and asked her to marry him.

At Volonino's gym, Michael and Dante were working out in the boxing ring while Sonny watched. Sonny asked his sons to take a break because Sonny was eager to know if Michael and Sabrina had worked things out. Michael and Dante stepped out of the boxing ring as Michael explained that Sabrina had left town before Michael had been able to talk to her. Sonny was disappointed but turned to Dante to ask how things were between Dante and Lulu. Dante filled Sonny and Michael in about Johnny's arrest and the fire at the cabin where Valerie had been tied up.

Dante revealed that Lulu might have faced fifteen years in prison for assault and being an accessory if Johnny hadn't taken the fall for her. Michael pointed out that Valerie was okay, but Dante insisted that it didn't matter because Valerie could have been killed. Dante was furious that Lulu had schemed with Johnny against Valerie because Lulu should have known that things would go awry, since Johnny had a "screw loose." Dante admitted that he didn't think he could forgive Lulu.

Sonny agreed that Lulu had been wrong and vindictive, but Sonny suggested that Dante acknowledge that Dante had hurt Lulu deeply enough for her to resort to such drastic measures. Dante assured his father that he had, but it hadn't given Lulu a free pass to commit crimes and harbor a fugitive. Sonny wondered if Dante was prepared to walk away from Dante's family, but Dante made it clear that he would never abandon his son. Sonny reminded Dante that Dante and Lulu had made vows, so he advised his son not to let anger drive Dante and Lulu apart the way that Sonny and Carly had. Dante became defensive as he reminded his father that Dante and Lulu were nothing like Sonny and Carly.

After Dante left, Michael assured Sonny that Sonny had done what he could. Sonny was frustrated because he feared that Dante would throw away the best thing that had ever happened to him, but Michael reminded his father that some obstacles were insurmountable. Sonny insisted that a person had to try and pointed to his own struggle to walk as an example of not giving up. Sonny explained that he was determined to walk again for his family because he wanted his children to learn from him.

Sonny changed the subject to ask if Michael was headed to Metro Court Restaurant to celebrate Jason's birthday. Michael nodded and offered to take Sonny, but Sonny wanted to work out a bit and promised to catch up with Michael and Carly later. Michael smiled, assured his father that Sonny had always set a good example, and left. Sonny waited until he was alone, locked the wheelchair in place, and then slowly struggled to his feet until he stood for the first time since the shooting.

At Maxie's apartment, Laura demanded answers. Lulu realized that it had been wrong to give Johnny a place to stay, but she explained that she hadn't been thinking straight because Olivia had shown up at the Haunted Star to let Lulu know that Dante had left Rocco with Valerie to run an errand. Lulu admitted that she'd been afraid that Valerie had been taking Lulu's place in Dante and Rocco's lives. Laura recalled how calm Lulu had seemed when Laura had talked to Lulu about it, but Lulu confessed that she'd been furious and desperate to get Valerie out of her life. Lulu knew it had been wrong, but she promised that she had never intended Valerie any harm.

Lulu said she had simply wanted Valerie away from Port Charles to give Dante and Lulu a chance to repair their marriage. Laura was disappointed in Lulu but wondered if Dante knew what Lulu had done. Lulu's eyes filled with tears as she told her mother about Dante's reaction to the news. Lulu admitted that she hadn't seen Dante since he had left to check on Valerie. Laura accused Lulu of being reckless and lashing out without any regard for others.

Lulu resented being painted the villain because Dante and Valerie had each played a role in hurting her, but Laura advised Lulu to take a step back and calm down because Lulu needed clarity before tackling her marital woes with Dante. Lulu realized her mother was right and thanked Laura. Satisfied, Laura announced that she had to get back to Rocco, but she promised that she loved Lulu. Laura stopped short when she opened the door because Dante stood on the doorstep, about to knock. Laura assured Dante that Rocco was safe and sound at Wyndemere, and she left.

Dante entered the apartment and revealed that he wanted to talk. Lulu nervously told him that she had checked with the hospital and had been relieved to learn that Valerie had been discharged. Lulu realized that she had screwed up, but Dante cut her off to explain that she could have gone to jail for a long time. Lulu apologized, but she explained that she had been desperate to save her marriage because she loved Dante. Dante wondered if hurting Valerie and harboring a fugitive had been about love.

Lulu acknowledged that it had been wrong, but she reminded Dante that Johnny was in jail and Valerie was okay. Dante admitted that none of it had been necessary because Valerie had ended things with Dante before New Year's Eve. Surprised, Lulu wondered how he had felt about the breakup. Dante admitted that he had been relieved because he had wanted to be with Lulu.

Lulu was filled with hope that she and Dante could work things out, but he told her that it was too late. Dante didn't think their marriage could be salvaged because they had each done things that he'd never thought possible. Lulu was crushed when Dante announced that he intended to talk to an attorney about filing for divorce. Lulu wept as Dante left. In the hallway, Dante listened to Lulu cry, but he walked away.

At Elizabeth's house, Elizabeth was hurt when she realized that Jason believed Sam. Elizabeth insisted that she would never fake a break-in or terrorize her own child just to get Jason's attention, but Jason reminded her that she had lied to him in the past. She flinched when he added that he had no reason to believe her, but she reiterated that she would never hurt her child like that. Jason's temper flared because she hadn't had any qualms about depriving Danny of his father. Elizabeth admitted that it had been wrong for her to lie, but she hadn't been trying to actively hurt anyone.

Jason was curious if Elizabeth truly had levels of lies and certain lines that she wouldn't cross. Disappointed, Elizabeth realized that Jason hadn't known her at all if he could ask her something like that. Jason admitted that she was right because he couldn't tell if she was lying or not. She acknowledged that her deception had been great, but she reminded him that there had been a time when they had been in love.

Jason disagreed because he recalled that Elizabeth hadn't told him that she loved him until after she had known his true identity. Frustrated, Elizabeth reminded him that they had been friends in the beginning when she had opened her home to him. She swore on that friendship that she was not trying to trap Jason or manipulate him and their son. Jason explained that he couldn't trust her, but she promised on her life, her children's lives, and her love for Jason that she had told the truth about the recent strange occurrences.

Elizabeth reiterated that she would never traumatize Jake like that and reminded Jason that they had to put their son first, regardless of their personal differences. Jason realized that Elizabeth was right and backed down. He asked if she would be okay staying at the house. Relieved, she assured him that she would be fine. She walked him to the door as he promised to call her in the morning. At Jason's request, she locked the door behind him.

Moments later, Jake entered the living room to ask if Jason had left with Sam. Elizabeth sat down to explain to Jake that Jason would always love him, but Jason and Elizabeth would not be getting married nor would they be living together. Jake jumped up when he heard a knock at the door because he hoped it was his father returning. Elizabeth looked out the window to check to see who it was before she gave Jake permission to open the door. Jake's smile dimmed as Laura entered.

Jake greeted his grandmother then scampered off as Elizabeth and Laura sat down to chat. Elizabeth told Laura about Sam's accusation and Jason's reaction, unaware that Jake sat on the stairs, drawing a picture of Sam. Jake's expression clouded with anger as he recalled Sam imploring Jason not to succumb to Elizabeth's manipulation.

At Metro Court Restaurant, Carly gave the chef instructions about decorating a cake as Sam walked in. Carly greeted Sam and explained that she had called Sam because Carly wanted to host an intimate birthday party for Jason. Carly wondered if Jason even realized that he had always considered the day he had emerged from a coma following the car accident with A.J. to be his real birthday because it was the day he had started his life as Jason Morgan. Sam doubted it, but she warned Carly that Jason might not be in the mood to celebrate. Sam filled Carly in about the strange goings-on at Elizabeth's house and Sam's suspicion that Elizabeth had staged the incidents as a way to hold onto Jason.

Carly was curious if Elizabeth had defended herself by resorting to tears of wounded innocence or offended outrage. Sam revealed that it had been a bit of both, which was why Sam doubted that Jason would want to party. Carly argued that Jason hadn't focused on anything except Elizabeth and Elizabeth's "nonexistent" stalker since New Year's Eve. Carly was certain that Jason would appreciate being around people who didn't try to manipulate him. Sam reminded Carly that Jason didn't like to be pressured, but Carly wanted to celebrate Jason's birthday and for Jason and Sam to work things out.

Later, Jason entered the restaurant. Sam smiled as Carly happily greeted him and told him that she wanted to celebrate his birthday. Carly explained why Jason had always celebrated his birthday in January, but Jason admitted that he wasn't in the mood. Jason appreciated that Carly wanted her friend back, but Carly resented Jason talking about himself in the third person. Carly insisted that he was the same person he had always been, even though he didn't have his memories. Jason felt bad as Carly marched away, but Sam assured him that it was fine.

Jason decided to step outside for some fresh air, but he invited Sam to have a piece of his cake. Moments later, Michael arrived for the party, but Carly told Michael that the party had been canceled. She told him about Jason's outburst and admitted that she wanted Jason to know that he was still the person he had once been. Michael agreed that Carly was right, but he suggested that Jason needed more time to reach the same conclusion.

On the terrace, Sam approached Jason. Jason conceded that Carly had been right about him drawing a line between the man he had once been and who he was. Jason realized that he should be grateful that he had people around him to help him. Sam tried to lighten the mood by offering him a piece of the cake, which she promised was delicious. Jason took a bite, but the skies suddenly opened, and rain poured down on them. Jason and Sam ran inside, but Jason suddenly tensed as he realized that it hadn't been the first time he and Sam had been in a similar situation.

Surprised, Sam asked if Jason had remembered something. Jason admitted that he had, but the memory had been more substantial than the ones in the past because he recalled how he had felt. He told Sam about the memory of dancing with her on a rooftop in the rain. Sam's eyes filled with tears as she confirmed it was a real memory.

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(From Soap Central)

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