General Hospital recap for January 23, 2025: Ric and Ava share their very first kiss

Ava arrived for a late night at Laura's office to discuss Laura's testimony at her custody hearing. She was disappointed to hear that Laura no longer felt she could testify. Now that Laura and Sonny had bonded again over being Rocco's grandparents, Laura didn't think it was right to testify against him.

After a disappointed Ava left Laura's office, she met with Ric at what appeared to be Dex's old apartment. Ric suggested she rent the place so she had a permanent address when the custody hearing began. Ava was horrified that Ric thought she should live in a place like that.

Ric reminded cash-poor Ava that it was in her price range. He complimented her artistic taste and thought Ava could do wonderful things with the place. Ava still balked so Ric once again repeated that she needed to live somewhere for Avery's sake. "If you want to live somewhere else and undermine your own case, feel free," Ric said in frustration.

Ric put it to Ava straight. "Sonny has the money and the means to drag on this custody fight until Avery is 18 and she can decide whether she wants anything to do with either of you," Ric said.

Ava was not happy with this honesty and started becoming hysterical. She didn't think Ric would stand by her unless she could pay him. Nina had warned her that Ric was only interested in himself and money. Ric knew what Nina thought of him but didn't understand why Ava was constantly attacking him when he was just trying to help.

Ava finally admitted that Laura was refusing to be her character witness. "I feel like I have to fight the entire world just to be a mother to my daughter," she said in tears. Ric promised Ava he was on her side before he finally kissed her. After a makeout session, Ava pulled away, announced she would rent the place, and promptly walked out.

At the Metro Court, Natalia tried getting Sonny to get off his phone, but he claimed his business never stopped. Soon, Brick appeared at the door at Sonny's behest. Brick was stunned to hear that Sonny had a serious heart condition. Natalia left to tell Kristina that Sonny had gotten caught up with business.

Brick and Sonny sat down to talk. Sonny explained that he had some twinges in his chest six months ago, but didn't think much of it. Now, the pain has been getting more frequent and worse. Sonny went on to tell Brick about the incident at the boxing gym and the incident that night.

Brick decided they needed to nip this in the bud right away and got Sonny an appointment with a top cardiologist in Los Angeles. He felt an out-of-town doctor would keep the Five Families from learning Sonny had a heart condition. Natalia soon returned, intent on keeping her promise to take care of Sonny for the night.

Alexis finally made it to Charlie's to support Kristina on opening night. Jordan joined her at the bar. As they discussed the bar brawl, Kristina noticed Lucy walk in with Sidwell. Kristina wondered who Lucy's date was. Alexis told her it was the man who bought Spoon Island.

Kristina approached their table so Lucy could introduce Kristina to her new friend. Sidwell ordered a bottle of champagne, sent Kristina away, and told Lucy he was impressed by how she knew everyone in town. Lucy even emailed Laura to help set up a meeting between Sidwell and the mayor. Lucy pointed out that Kristina and Alexis were talking to the deputy mayor at the bar.

At the bar, Jordan asked what the man's name was. She was surprised to hear it was Jenz Sidwell. Lucy also got a surprise when Sidwell received a call and told her that he had to leave. By then, Jordan was gone.

Jordan became Laura's next visitor. She couldn't wait to tell her that Lucy was at Charlie's with Jenz Sidwell. Laura quickly realized he was the man holding Lucky hostage in Africa. "He's just out there going clubbing?" Laura asked.

Jordan suspected that Sidwell didn't believe the authorities had anything on him. When Laura did a check, it turned out that Sidwell was right. There were no outstanding warrants for his arrest. When Laura saw the email from Lucy, she thought it would be fascinating to finally meet Sidwell in person. Laura promptly called Sidwell and set up a meeting for the next day.

Back at the bar, Natalia finally made it to Charlie's and told her that Sonny was busy working on Deception business until an associate named Brick came by.

Josslyn and Lucas bonded over some sandwiches in Carly's kitchen. Lucas could tell that Joss was bothered about something. She informed her uncle that she basically told the man who killed Dex to cover his tracks. Lucas was taken aback to hear that Josslyn believed Cyrus stabbed her boyfriend.

Lucas informed Joss that Lucky and Elizabeth had a theory involving Cyrus but Lucas didn't give her the details immediately. However, Josslyn gave Lucas the details of what happened when Anna called Cyrus in for questioning last week. Lucas was immediately alarmed. "So, Cyrus knows that you're onto him?" he asked in amazement.

Lucas told Josslyn that he, Lucky, and Elizabeth felt Cyrus was targeting patients at GH. Josslyn wanted Lucas to go to Anna but he admitted they just had theories and no evidence. Josslyn vowed to find a tie between Cyrus and the hospital murders.

Elizabeth used the first aid items in her purse to tend to Lucky's battered face in the PCPD interrogation room. They discussed Cody's poker skills vs Lucky's poker skills before Liz changed the subject to talk of Cyrus. They spotted Felicia and decided to ask her about the day Dex was stabbed.

She told them the same thing she told Joss about Cyrus' bell, but couldn't remember anything else. Felicia also mentioned that Cyrus had been banned from GH. She thought it was the right choice.

Mac and Felicia arrived at the police station to deal with the Cody situation. Felicia wanted Mac to talk to his son, but Mac wondered what good it would do since this was his second drunken bar fight in just a few short months. Felicia reminded Mac that he also had a wild side when he was younger.

Molly paid Cody a visit in lockup and told her that all Kristina wanted was for Cody to pay for the damage he caused. Cody wanted Lucky to also pay since he was arrested as part of the fight. Molly reminded Cody that he pulled the first punch and Lucky was just trying to stop the fight.

Mac came by so Molly left so Mac could chastise his son for having another "bad night." Cody apologized for letting Mac down, but Mac was concerned. "You seem to be trashing every relationship in your life and I want to know why," Mac said.

Cody explained that multiple things have blown up for him lately so he stayed drinking. He admitted that alcohol didn't make him feel better. It just amplified his anger. Cody said this wasn't about Sasha. It was something else. "It's what I do. Things are good and then I trash them," he sighed.

Mac assured Cody that he had a family now and they cared. "Our family? We can forgive just about anything. And you can't push us away. We won't let you," Mac insisted.

Next on General Hospital

Curtis and Drew spar.

Laura meets with Sidwell.

Willow worries she made a mistake.

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