General Hospital Recap: Will Willow Marry Drew?

There are a lot of people with very strong opinions about the custody battle between Michael (Rory Gibson) and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) on General Hospital. Willow had a breakdown when the judge awarded Michael full custody of their children, Wiley and Amelia, not even allowing her visitation at this time. However, Drew (Cameron Mathison) had the idea to propose to Willow so that they could present a loving family unit to the judge in the hopes of reversing the custody ruling, and the fact that she’s going along with it could blow everything sky-high all over again.

The Best-Laid Plans

At the Metro Court Pool, Nina was stunned by Willow’s casual declaration that she’s planning to marry Drew and pointed out to her daughter that she only just got divorced from Michael, worrying how that could look to the courts. “I know,” Willow replied coldly. “I just got divorced. And I just lost my kids. Marrying Drew is how I’m going to get them back.”

Still shell-shocked from the judge’s ruling, Willow continued to act like she was sleepwalking through life, barely in control of her own actions. “Michael and I got married when we wanted to fight Nelle for custody of Wiley,” she reminded her mother, unable to meet her eyes as she parroted back what she’d been told. “If Drew and I go to court as a stable, loving, married couple, the judge will have to grant me visitation.” Desperate to keep her daughter from becoming Mrs. Drew Cain, Nina voiced her plaintive hope that this was all just some kind of legal tactic. “No,” Willow responded. “At least… not entirely. There’s one big difference. Michael and I weren’t in love the first time we got married. Drew and I are, and we intend to stay married, so we’ll be telling the truth in court.”

Completely against this union, Nina tried to argue that the judge might not believe them, especially if they look like they’re just suddenly jumping into marriage at this particular moment in time. “The judge just wants Wiley and Amelia to have stability,” she reminded her daughter, “so you have to make sure that you don’t make any decisions that might be seen as irresponsible or reckless.” Willow quietly pointed out that their lawyer, Martin, said it was a good legal strategy, but Nina warned that they had to proceed with caution.

“You don’t rush,” Nina advised. “You don’t elope. You don’t go to City Hall. You don’t go to a drive-through chapel in Vegas. You have an actual wedding. You plan it ahead of time, you send out invitations, you make it real.” Willow sighed that the longer she waited, the longer she still couldn’t see her kids, and they needed to be married before the visitation hearing. Nina noted that the date for the hearing hadn’t even been set yet, and again insisted that she not do anything rash.

Still broken inside, Willow assured her mother that she understood what she was saying. “I know you’re right,” she admitted. “And I don’t want the judge doubting anything I do. But it’s killing me to be away from my kids.” Nina frowned as she began to suspect Drew was pushing her into this, but Willow insisted that wasn’t the case. Nina gently told Willow she could accept, but that she should ask for time to plan the ceremony, offering to give her daughter the wedding of her dreams. “I already told Drew I’d marry him,” Willow reported flatly. “But I’ll think about the rest of the things you said. I need to go.” Nina urged her to call if she needed to talk, and Willow nodded before stiffly walking off.

Second Thoughts

Sitting with Michael at the Metro Court Lounge, Carly was excitedly talking about plans for Daisy’s christening when she quickly noticed her son was distracted by his own thoughts. “I’m so happy that Daisy’s finally here and I really want this christening to be special,” he confided, “but… I can’t help but feel like I’m hosting his huge celebration with Wiley and Amelia and the rest of our family, and we’re welcoming this new member, and it almost feels… it almost feels cruel.” After Carly confirmed he was talking about the situation being cruel to Willow, Michael added that the kids had wondered if their mom would be at the christening. “As much as I hate the choices Willow’s made,” he fretted. “Mom, she’s lost everything. Am I rubbing her face in it?”

Putting a reassuring smile on her face, Carly understood that Michael would naturally feel terrible about what Willow’s going through because he’s a good man. She also pointed out that they took their dispute to court, where the judge ruled in Michael’s favor. “And as their grandmother and a witness to what Willow’s done,” she added, “I’m relieved.” Michael agreed, but the whole thing still wasn’t sitting well with him. “I think I’m just having a hard time getting past the way Willow fell apart in the courtroom,” he said. “She was completely shattered when the judge gave her ruling. I don’t know. Seeing her like that, I can’t really get past it.”

Carly’s face fell as she nodded her understanding. “Willow, she does love the kids,” Michael insisted. “And she’s still Wiley and Amelia’s mom, and I want her to be. As soon as she’s ready and healthy. The real problem here… is Drew.” In complete agreement, Carly complained about how Michael used to be close to his uncle until Drew betrayed him by sleeping with his wife. “As if that wasn’t bad enough,” Michael grumbled angrily, “then he goes and plays mind games with my son. And to make Wiley think even for a single second that I didn’t want him, that’s despicable. And it’s unforgivable. What kind of man does that?” Sadly, Carly allowed that while Drew was reprehensible, Willow remained blind to his many faults.

Standing up, Michael firmly declared his intention to get Willow away from Drew one way or another, and Carly quickly tried to stop him from leaving before she could talk some sense into him. “I’m all for that,” she promised her son. “I tried for months to get through to Willow. Hell, I even teamed up with Nina to break them up. You know how much we despise each other. Nothing we did could shake Drew’s hold on Willow.”

But having seen how distraught Willow was at being separated from her children, Michael thought that there was now a chance she might see sense. “That was before Willow lost the kids,” he declared. “Up until now, Drew, he’s been able to paint himself as Willow’s hero when in reality, he’s the reason that she lost Wiley and Amelia. Now, if I could just force her to see that, maybe… well, maybe it will finally be enough to make her walk away from him for good.”

Mama Bears

Running into Carly in the lounge after Michael’s exit, Nina pressed her to get through to Michael, warning that if she didn’t, Willow would marry Drew. Throwing up her hands, Carly reminded her that she and Michael couldn’t tell Willow what to do with her life, but Nina reminded her that Wiley and Amelia are at impressionable ages and wondered if she really wanted Drew as a father figure or role model in their lives. Carly promised Nina that Michael wouldn’t keep the kids away from Willow forever, but Nina insisted that time was of the essence and urged her to get Michael to agree to a generous visitation schedule. “Make sure it’s just with Willow,” she added. “Make sure that Drew isn’t allowed at those visits.”

Carly actually seemed to be going along with Nina’s line of reasoning until that part, and noted that she didn’t think it would be possible to keep Drew out of the visitation agreement. But Nina remained convinced that this plan would work. “If Willow can see her kids, I know that I can pry her away from Drew,” she insisted. “And you, Carly… you have the power. Get Michael to see that it is in his children’s best interest if he lets Willow see her kids as soon as possible.”

Willow Drops a Bomb

Meanwhile, Michael arrived home at the Quartermaine mansion, where Willow was waiting to see him. They exchanged pleasantries as she asked how she was doing after her breakdown in court. Willow reported she was feeling better, and they both agreed that the ugly court battle was uncomfortable for everyone involved. “I never want to go through that again,” she said plainly. “And I don’t want another court fight or for us to just keep tearing into each other. Whatever mistakes we’ve made, we’re Wiley and Amelia’s parents. They love us both, and we need to set a good example for them. We have to be better to each other.”

Michael gently agreed, and Willow continued. “That’s why I want to be clear with you about what I’m doing and why I’m doing it,” she declared. “I’m not hiding anything anymore. I want to be completely transparent and give you full disclosure because our lack of honesty is what got us in trouble in the first place.” Michael nodded in agreement again, but his tight smile soon disappeared when Willow announced, “Drew and I are getting married.”

Will marrying Drew help Willow get visitation with her children or make Michael more determined than ever to keep her — and Drew — away from them? Share your opinions and predictions on what you think will happen next on GH in the comments below!