General Hospital recap for December 16, 2024: Josslyn's grief over Dex's death can't be contained

Jason got off the 10th-floor elevator to find Anna standing there weeping over Dex. Anna explained to Jason what happened, stressing that Josslyn was now in shock. Anna admitted that she was also in shock. "It just doesn't seem possible. He was just fine after the surgery. Absolutely fine," she said.

Anna told Jason that she had called Carly to take care of Josslyn, but she didn't pick up, so she called Jason instead. He told Anna that he would take care of Josslyn.

Josslyn entered Dex's room. As soon as she saw his dead body, she began crying and took his hand. She couldn't believe this was even real. "Dex, how are you not here anymore?" she cried. Jason watched Josslyn sob as she assured Dex she could still feel him with her. "Thank you for saving my life and for trusting me with your heart and changing the way that I see the world and my place in it," she said.

When Josslyn spotted Jason standing there, she fell into his arms and cried. Jason brought Josslyn to the footbridge because it was a good place to think and talk. Josslyn said she couldn't imagine doing this again after losing Oscar. "With Oscar, at least I got to say goodbye. I got to say everything I had wanted to say to him. With Dex, I didn't get that chance," Josslyn said.

Josslyn marveled at how none of what happened made any sense. "Dex was so healthy, and then he just dies of a heart attack?" Joss said in disbelief. When Joss saw Carly on the bridge, she ran into her mother's arms.

In the hospital halls, Anna met with Mac and Felicia, who were in absolute shock over what had happened to Dex. Anna blamed herself for Dex's death because she convinced him to become a cop. Felicia informed Anna that Dex had told her how proud he was to be a member of the PCPD.

Lucky met up with Elizabeth at the hospital at her behest. He was shocked when she told him another patient who was doing just fine died of a heart attack on her watch. Liz said the situation was too much like Sam's. Lucky knew that couldn't be a coincidence.

Lucky was further stunned to hear that the victim was Dex Heller. He wondered if an overdose of Digitalis killed him, but Liz pointed out that the toxicology report wasn't back yet, so she wasn't sure. Portia soon appeared and asked to speak to Liz alone in her office. Liz knew what the meeting would be about and asked Lucky to be there for moral support.

Once in her office, Portia informed Liz that Dex's death was an unexplained heart attack that would be added to the investigation into Sam's death. "While all of that is playing out, you'll need to take a step back from patient care," Portia said. Elizabeth could still do administrative work or opt for personal leave. Elizabeth chose the administrative route.

After meeting with Portia, Lucky took Elizabeth for a drink. Elizabeth admitted that she'd miss taking care of her patients but was glad she was still allowed to work. Her heart broke for Sam and Dex's loved ones. Liz also believed something was off. "This feels incredibly creepy," Elizabeth said.

Dante and Lulu sat down for some non-alcoholic drinks and a chat at the beach-themed cafe. Dante advised Lulu to take it easy and focus on her recovery, but she said she couldn't do that while her daughter was missing. Dante informed Lulu that she needed a big reality check.

He warned Lulu to be careful and not to break into any more homes. What if he had to tell Rocco he lost his mom again because he accidentally shot her, thinking she was an intruder? Lulu reluctantly agreed that Dante was right, but she hated it when he was right.

Lulu also apologized for seeming to choose Charlotte over Rocco and worried that Valentin had now taken Charlotte deeper into hiding.

Earlier, Carly barreled into the gatehouse as Willow and Nina tried to escape with Wiley and Amelia. As she glared at them, Carly told Willow and Nina that they weren't going anywhere. Nina used the kids to deflect Carly's accusations and asked Wiley to say hi to Grandma Carly. Nina told Carly they'd love to stay and chat but needed to get to a sleepover.

"If you think I'm not going to stop because the children are present, you're super wrong," Carly said with a smile. She told Willow she could stay there and send Nina home, but Nina wasn't having it.

"Not without my grandchildren. Now, get out of the way," Nina said sternly.

Willow also refused to listen to Carly. "What happens next isn't up to you, Carly. The children come first," she said.

At the main house, Drew and Michael continued arguing in the living room. Michael assured Drew he wouldn't release the video to the public. "So much for Willow's hero," Michael said. Drew insisted Michael knew nothing about his relationship with Willow.

Drew tried explaining that he and Willow developed real feelings for one another, but Michael didn't buy it. "You know Willow. Would she ever cheat on you if it wasn't real?" Drew asked. Drew excused his behavior by pointing out that he and Willow fought their attraction for months. Drew continued apologizing and told Michael he never meant to hurt his family, but Michael reminded him that was exactly what he did.

Michael stressed to Drew that the video footage would come out eventually, even if it didn't come from him. Just then, Tracy and Ned returned. Tracy had more ire for Drew. "We haven't addressed your disgusting use of your grief as justification for sleeping with Michael's wife," Tracy said.

"That's a new low, Drew, even by Quartermaine standards," Ned added.

Michael informed Tracy and Ned that he wouldn't leak the video, but Tracy and Ned were free to do whatever they wanted. He then headed home, where he walked into quite a scene.

Michael's arrival at the gatehouse interrupted the tense standoff between his mother, wife, and mother-in-law. Carly explained that Grandma Nina and Willow were trying to take the kids to Nina's for a sleepover. Willow told Michael they had a lot to talk about, "but for tonight, I need this, and so do they."

Carly was disappointed when Michael didn't argue and allowed Willow and Nina to take the kids. Once Michael and Carly were alone, Carly told her son that he'd just made a mistake. "You just gave Willow a leg up in a custody trial," Carly argued.

Michael asked his mother to be quiet and give him time to process everything. Carly didn't care and was furious that Michael didn't stop Willow. Michael had his reasons. "Cause I remember what it was like when Dad took Morgan and me away from you and how terrified we were. I refuse to do that to Wiley and Amelia," Michael countered.

Carly apologized to Michael for pushing as he assured her he had no intention of losing his kids. Carly then tried calling Diane but noticed text messages about Dex's death. She told Michael what the texts said, and he was floored.

Once Michael was gone, Ned and Tracy were left to argue with Drew in the living room. Ned was sure he could get a PR friend of his to leak the video before Drew's January 3rd swearing-in. Drew didn't think Tracy and Ned would go through with it. "What would Edward or Lila think? Or Alan?" Drew mused.

Tracy immediately shot back at Drew and warned her nephew to leave her parents' and brother's names out of this. "You are not one of us. Why don't you go back to being a Cain? You have hidden behind this family long enough," Tracy declared.

"What is the criteria for me to become a real Quartermaine then? Oh, I know. What if I withheld heart medication while I'm standing over my father? Would that do the trick?" Drew wondered. Drew insisted that Alan was his father and he had as much right to the family name as anyone else.

The arguing ended when Lulu and Dante walked into the living room. "Stepmonster, you haven't changed a bit," Lulu said, much to Tracy's surprised delight. Tracy kicked Ned, Drew, and Dante out of the room so she and Lulu could catch up.

All Tracy could do was stare at Lulu in disbelief. "I'm just drinking it in. I have been praying for this, and as you know, that's not something I do very often," Tracy said. She told Lulu how Luke had told everyone she would wake up one day. Tracy made Lulu promise she wouldn't go rogue while searching for Charlotte.

Ned and Drew took their argument to the kitchen. Drew tried reasoning with Ned, but all Ned could promise was that he'd make sure Tracy didn't go scorched earth on Drew. After Drew left, Michael arrived and told Ned that Willow had taken the kids to Nina's for the night. Ned pointed one thing out. "Willow is not the enemy here. Drew is," Ned said. Michael agreed and was glad to have Ned's support. "Drew didn't just betray you, Michael. He betrayed all of us, and he will live to regret it," Ned added.

Later, Drew searched for Willow at the gatehouse. He then looked at all the unanswered text messages he had sent her that night. When he called Willow, Nina made sure her daughter didn't answer.

Next on General Hospital

Lulu and Brook Lynn have it out.

Maxie hurls accusations.

Tracy gets into it with Sasha.

Anna has a big ask.