General Hospital recap for Thursday, October 24, 2024: Sam's final moments with her family before surgery

In the GH locker room, Lucas spotted Isaiah visualizing the surgery as a pre-op ritual. When Isaiah left, Lucas found an Eckert's Danish in his locker just as Brad approached and reminded Lucas that he had to have something from the bakery before any surgery.

Lucas was angry that Brad overstepped his boundaries, but Brad claimed he had bought Eckert's for the staff and couldn't pass up giving Lucas a treat before surgery. The two shared an awkward moment when Lucas' towel fell off. Brad told Lucas he might want to get a mole checked out before he left.

Jason walked into Sonny's office at Sonny's behest. Sonny quickly tossed him one of Holly's diamonds with a request. "I think it's time you tell me what really went on in Africa," Sonny said.

Jason detailed his and Anna's adventures with Sidwell and how Holly helped them escape. He asked Sonny if Holly had given him the diamond. Sonny told him yes and that Holly had several more. When Jason asked how many, Sonny replied, "Enough to know that Holly's trouble, but she might be the kind of trouble that's worth it."

Sonny wanted to work with Holly, but Jason warned him that Sidwell might come after him. Sonny thought Sidwell had died, but Jason broke the news that he had survived and was in the United States looking for Holly. Jason admitted he made a mistake, leaving Sidwell alive. Sonny just wanted to move the diamonds fast, but not today, as they both needed to get to the hospital.

Alexis sat with Danny and Scout, having breakfast before stopping by the hospital to see Sam. Scout asked if Aunt Molly and Aunt Kristina would be there. Alexis told them no, and Danny pointed out that Sam didn't want to make a big deal out of the surgery. "But it is a big deal. Mom's saving someone's life," Scout said.

When Scout washed her hands in the restroom, Alexis praised Danny's big brother skills. "I think you're awesome, and so is your mom," Alexis said.

Brennan called Carly and told her they needed to meet. Carly had to turn him down, saying she was at the hospital for something important. Carly entered Sam's room. "It's going to take a miracle for Lulu to pull through this surgery, but what matters is she's getting a chance because of you," Carly said.

Sam shrugged it off, saying she was just doing what anyone would do. Sam also wondered what Carly really wanted. Carly admitted she just wanted to say thank you. As Carly and Sam shared a few bonding moments, Brennan walked in to tell Carly he had to talk to her right away.

When Sam was alone once again, Alexis stopped by with Danny and Scout. Sam made Alexis promise to take her kids to school, but Alexis couldn't stop telling Sam how amazing she was for saving a life.

Sam enjoyed her time with her kids and her mother before Dante, Rocco, and Sonny walked in. "Thank you so much, Sam. You're going to save my mom's life. I don't know how I'm ever going to repay you," Rocco said.

Brennan and Carly walked outside to talk. Brennan wanted Carly to get Jason to cooperate and give him more details about what happened in Africa when he rescued Lucky. After all, he helped her when she asked. Carly asked why Brennan went out on a limb for her. "If you have to ask, you're not as smart as I thought you were," Brennan said.

Jason soon appeared to interrupt their conversation. "When you called, you didn't say he'd be here," Jason said. Carly didn't care. She needed a favor, but Jason wanted to know if the favor was really for Brennan. "Jack needs to know what happened in Africa," Carly said.

An angry Jason pointed out that he already told Jack what happened and had nothing else to say. Jack was sure Jason had left something out. Carly finally convinced Jason to talk before she walked away. Jason conceded that Holly was up to something. Brennan quickly knew that Holly had taken something valuable from Sidwell. "It was diamonds. She stole a fortune from him," Jason said.

Laura sat vigil by Lulu's bedside and assured her that help was on the way, thanks to Sam. When Laura turned around, she saw Dante and Rocco by the door. Rocco walked over to his mother's bed while Dante and Laura wondered if Lulu would even recognize Rocco if she ever woke.

In the hospital waiting area, Rocco later begged Dante not to make him go to school. Dante said they would leave that decision to Sam. Dante and Sam walked away just as Isaiah approached to tell Laura it was time to prep Lulu for surgery. Isaiah explained that Lulu was on anti-coagulants to thin the blood clot, but there were no guarantees.

"My daughter has been fighting for her life since she was a tiny little girl and winning. If you give her the chance today, she will win again," Laura said.

When it came time for Sam to be wheeled into surgery, her loved ones gathered and wished her well. Jason showed up just in time so he and Sam could exchange knowing glances before turning to look at their son. Sam raised her hand to show the "deuces" sign as she was wheeled away.

Ric sat down with Heather in the Pentonville visiting area. Heather immediately declared that she missed Alexis. Ric was surprised to hear her say that but then said he had news. The judge had vacated Heather's sentence, and she was set to walk free.

A stunned Heather thought Ric had to be joking. Ric assured her that he wasn't. Heather assumed she'd be going to a minimum-security prison with a nice volleyball court, but Ric repeated that she was going to be released. She wasn't even going to be on parole.

When the enormity of the news hit her, Heather was ready to jump for joy. She embraced Ric and announced she would make the most of her second chance. Heather planned to go right to Kelly's for a BLT, not realizing the diner had been renamed Bobbie's.

Ric tried bringing Heather back down to Earth by pointing out she was going to need some cash and a place to live. Heather thought Laura would take her in but Ric told Heather that Laura was going through a family crisis. Heather suggested Alexis next, but Ric informed Heather that Alexis was going through the same crisis as Laura.

"Just drop me off at the Quartermaines. I can hang out there for weeks before anyone ever knows I'm there," Heather said. Eventually, Heather called Elizabeth to give her the big news and asked if Liz could pick her up from Pentonville "for Franco's sake."

Before Liz had a chance to answer, she spotted Ric walking toward her. Ric told Liz that Heather needed a place to stay, but he didn't like the idea of Heather being alone with Liz and Aiden. However, he had a suggestion. "I could move in too," Ric said, prompting hysterical laughter from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth approached Portia at the nurses' station. Liz had heard about Heather's release and asked if there was anything she could do to help Portia's family. Portia only wanted to focus on Lulu and Sam's surgeries. She said she wasn't going to focus on Heather and would let Curtis take care of things.

Elizabeth warned Portia to be careful. "Heather has a powerful ally in Ric and if he gets wind that you're moving against his client, he will respond in kind," Liz told her friend.

Isaiah and Brad soon stopped by. Isaiah wanted some baked goods at the nurses' station, and Brad wanted to tell Portia he was leaving for the day to attend a baseball game. Elizabeth was surprised that Portia didn't have a problem with this. Later, when Lucas saw the Eckert's box, Elizabeth told Lucas that Brad had pulled out the Britt card to get his job back. Lucas then found Brad and asked him if that was true.

Brad admitted he used Britt's name. He wasn't proud of what he did, but he needed a job. Lucas admitted that Britt would have been proud.

Curtis welcomed Steven Webber to his office to talk about his mother. Steven said he didn't plan to stay in Port Charles long, and Curtis had no problem with that. "When you do leave, I want you to take your mother with you," Curtis said.

Steven had hoped Curtis' call had nothing to do with his mother, but Curtis had bad news. Heather was being released. Steven did not look happy at all and told Curtis that he had a very complicated relationship with his mother. He didn't like the idea of going back to Arizona with Heather, but Curtis wasn't dissuaded. "I'm prepared to make this worth your while," Curtis said.

Steven didn't want money, but Curtis offered Steven something even better. His friend, who was running for office, might be able to get Steven's medical license reinstated. Steven was more concerned with how his mother would react to leaving town, but Curtis didn't see that as a problem. "Family means everything to Heather, and you're all she has left," Curtis said. Steven countered that he didn't want to be responsible for Heather's actions.

Curtis tried to sweeten his request. "I think the right thing is for you and your mother to go far away and leave town. I will supplement your income until you get on your feet, provided she goes and stays gone," Curtis said. He also warned Steven that he would use other methods to get Heather away from his family.

As Portia sat on a bench in the hospital halls, Curtis appeared before her with a smile. She believed he had taken care of the Heather problem.

Back at Pentonvolle, Heather walked through the prison gates to the outside and saw Elizabeth approach. When she turned around, she also her son for the first time in years.