In an emotional General Hospital, the Monday, February 23rd episode held major moments for the future of Maxie (Kirsten Storms), Nathan (Ryan Paevey), Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) and Lulu (Alexa Havins), as well as a turning point for Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst), the first kiss between ADA Turner (Nazneen Contractor) and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), Michael (Rory Gibson) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) feud reaching new heights, while Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) sits with her son, Wiley (Viron Weaver) back in her arms.

There were plenty of touching performances, too. Chief among them from Kirsten Storms who remains a GH treasure, Bradford Anderson, who continues to make Spinelli the guy you want to root for, and Rick Hearst, who is still one of the best to ever do it in the genre.

The big story coming out of the episode was, who will Maxie choose to be with? Nathan (who has secretly developed feelings for Maxie’s bestie, Lulu) or Spinelli? Back at Maxie’s, Spinelli is with Lulu, where he admits his fear that Maxie’s love fo Nathan runs deep and he can’t compete against that type of love, because in actuality, he’s not fighting Nathan, he’s fighting the pull Maxie has in her heart. Lulu’s demeanor changed however when Spinelli claimed Nathan had been Maxie’s hero. It’s clear Lulu is trying to steel herself from being devastated also if Maxie and Nathan were back together. Then, Lulu hugged Spinelli telling him he is a hero, even if he didn’t end up getting the girl.

MAXIE’S HEART BELONGS TO …

At Nathan’s gravesite, Nathan and Maxie have their reunion, where they relive through a flashback their “final” moments together in the hospital before Nathan “died.” Maxie then explains her immense grief over losing him, that led her to get involved with Peter August, and even though that was a disaster, she did have a daughter because of it, Bailey Lou. She goes on to say, getting the chance to reunite with Spinelli made her happy.

Nathan wondered what that meant for the two of them. Maxie agreed that if they were to drag things out it would be harder on their children. She tells Nathan she has made her choice and that she will always love him. Cut to: later, Maxie comes home where Spinelli is there waiting for her. Maxie informs Spinelli that while she loves Nathan, that she is in love with him and he was her home. Spixie shared a kiss.

KEYS TO THE CASE

Ric is one savvy lawyer and not only does he get any charges dropped against Michael, he paints even more doubt about Chase, as ADA Turner and Dante were questioning Michael for Drew’s shooting after Drew’s key was found on his keychain. Ric explains that Wiley saw Chase with the keys. Michael gets beyond angry, Ric tells ADA Turner and Dante, that they need to let his client go, or this will all come out and both of them will probably lose their jobs.

Michael then storms into the Quartermaine kitchen, throws his keys at Chase, a massive fight ensues. Chase walks out, followed by Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton). Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shows up and Michael asks his brother, if he once and for all believes he did not shoot Drew and Chase says he believes Michael.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Later, Ric shows up the Miller and Davis law office, and talks with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn), where he gets emotional. Ric says aside from their daughter, Molly, Sonny and his kids are the only family he had. Alexis is skeptical of this new leaf, but Ric said time kidnapped in her basement made him realize how alone he’d been, He claims he has buried the hatchet with Sonny and wants some joy in his life.

At the end of the episode, ADA Turner comes to the bar for a needed drink and Sonny is there. They talk, then she exits, and then the two make out in the parking lot. Meanwhile, Lulu is also seated at a booth at the bar and in walks Nathan. They stare at each other. Will they now take their feelings for each other to a whole other level? Stay tuned.