Molly and T.J. decide on a name for the baby: General Hospital recap for Wednesday, August 21, 2024

At T.J. and Molly’s apartment, T.J. and Molly were dressed for their daughter’s funeral. T.J. stood behind Molly and wrapped his arms around her as her eyes welled up with tears. “How are we going to do this? How are we going to bury our daughter?” Molly asked. “Together,” T.J. said.

A short time later, T.J. stared at the baby’s birth certificate as Molly entered the living room. They admitted that it would be a hard day, but they decided to honor their daughter by giving her a name. When Curtis, Jordan, Stella, and Marshall arrived, Molly explained that she had to step out to take care of “one small matter.” After Molly left, Jordan asked T.J. if something was wrong. “’One small matter,’ is right,” he said with an assuring smile.

After everyone was seated, T.J. announced that he and Molly had chosen a name for their daughter, and he credited Stella for helping him and Molly see that the name had been right in front of them all along. “Our baby is Irene. Irene Marie,” T.J. shared. Curtis, Jordan, Marshall, and Stella were moved. Stella was certain that her sister Irene would approve. Stella excused herself on the pretext of checking on a delivery of bagels they had ordered and dashed out.

Overcome with emotion, Stella stopped in the hallway as tears filled her eyes. Moments later, Curtis joined her. He hugged his aunt as she wept in his arms. Afterwards, Stella wiped her tears away as she and Curtis spoke about Curtis’ mother. Stella and Curtis were determined to remain strong for the rest of the family, so they agreed help each other get through the day ahead. A short time later, Curtis and Stella returned to the apartment with a bag of bagels.

Love General Hospital, B&B, DAYS or other soaps? Join the conversation on our SC boards! Click here to connect with fans and dive into discussions now

Stella pulled T.J. aside and told him that she was proud of him and loved him. “And so do our Irenes,” she said as she hugged him.

At the police station, Ava sat in the interrogation room with Anna and a court stenographer who typed as Ava officially accused Kristina of threatening to kill Ava. John stood behind Anna, smiling with approval as Ava painted a damaging picture. After Ava signed the statement, Anna asked why Ava hadn’t mentioned Kristina’s threats earlier. Ava blamed the memory lapse on being in shock. Anna questioned why Ava hadn’t been accompanied by her attorney, so Ava invited Anna to ask Scott.

When Anna asked where Scott was, John suggested that Anna talk to Jason Morgan. Both John and Ava accused Jason of being responsible for Scott’s disappearance. They filled Anna in about Scott’s frantic phone call following a run-in with Jason, but Anna suggested that someone reach out to Lucy because Scott had a history of running on his own schedule. John informed Anna that Scott had missed a couple of appointments. John threatened to search for Scott himself, but Anna made it clear that it was a local matter.

After Anna left, John praised Ava for being convincing. “Just as you scripted,” Ava said. She expressed reservations about signing a false statement, but he assured her that he would keep Anna too busy to examine Ava’s story too closely. Ava reminded John that Sonny remained a problem, but John was confident that he could handle Sonny. John explained that Sonny responded to leverage. “And fortunately, I know exactly where to get some,” John said.

In Sonny’s office at Pozzulo’s, Jason assured Sonny that the pharmacist had been safely relocated to Sonny’s private island. Satisfied, Sonny explained that he intended to lure Valentin out of hiding with the right bait. “What bait?” Jason asked. “Not what, who; Anna Devane,” Sonny said. According to Sonny, Valentin would only resurface if Anna or Charlotte were in trouble. Sonny refused to use a child. “Ever,” Sonny said.

Jason worried that it might bring both the Port Charles Police Department and the FBI down on Sonny, but Sonny’s mind was made up. “She’s the one who made me the enemy,” Sonny justified. The conversation was cut short when Anna arrived to inform Sonny that Ava had made an official statement. Sonny insisted it was all a lie. To his surprise, Anna agreed that John had likely coerced Ava.

“This is on you,” Sonny told Anna. Anna reminded Sonny that she had arrested Ava and was working with the district attorney to prosecute Ava, but Sonny was unimpressed because Anna’s “boy Valentin” had tampered with Sonny’s bipolar medication. Anna argued that Sonny’s life and choices were responsible for everything that had happened to Sonny, and he had set everything into motion when Sonny had put Karen Wexler on the stage at the Paradise Lounge. Sonny dismissed the accusation and ordered Anna to leave. Anna revealed that she needed to talk to Jason about the disappearance of Scott Baldwin.

Later, Anna and Jason sat in the interrogation room as she questioned him about Scott’s whereabouts, but Jason denied any involvement and asked for an attorney. Anna warned Jason that he was a person of interest, but Jason suspected that Anna had asked him to the police station to ask him about Valentin. He assured her that he wouldn’t tell anyone that she had tipped Valentin off. “And the rest?” she asked. “Sonny has a right to know,” Jason answered.

Anna worried that Sonny intended to hunt Valentin down, but Jason said little. Frustrated, Anna pointed out that Jason had been straddling two worlds: Sonny’s and Anna’s. She insisted that he choose and reminded him that he had an opportunity for a second chance and to make different choices. Anna warned Jason that he could no longer hide behind misplaced loyalty and naïveté because he had long since learned better.

Jason was curious when Anna had learned better. He asked if it had been after she’d been a double agent or after Faison. “Or did it finally happen after Valentin?” Jason wondered. Jason accused Anna of being compromised. Anna conceded that he was right, but Jason had a chance to get out. Jason stiffened and asked if they were done.

Anna admitted that she didn’t condone John’s methods, but she had taken an oath to protect and serve. Anna vowed to take Sonny down. Her voice filled with emotion as she told Jason that she hoped he was not standing next to Sonny when it happened. Jason nodded and left.

At the Jerome Gallery, Josslyn arrived to pick Trina up for the funeral. When Josslyn looked around, Trina assured Josslyn that Ava wasn’t there. “And if there’s any justice, she never will be again,” Josslyn said. “I wouldn’t bet on it,” Trina warned.

Kristina was surprised that Trina continued to support Ava, despite what had happened to Kristina, but Trina reminded Josslyn that everyone deserved their day in court, including Ava. Trina could tell that Josslyn wanted to say something, so she invited Josslyn to speak her mind. Josslyn acknowledged that she didn’t like Ava. “But what’s the problem behind the problem?” Trina asked. “You,” Josslyn said.

Josslyn assured Trina that she loved Trina, but Josslyn had a hard time understanding why Trina stuck by Ava, no matter what Ava did. Trina pointed out that she would do the same for Josslyn, Cameron, and any other friend. “How is it possible that Ava and I are in the same friendship category?” Josslyn asked. Josslyn reminded Trina that they had been friends since middle school and had been there for each other in good times and in bad. Josslyn didn’t think Trina’s friendship with Ava could compare to that.

Trina explained that her friendship with Ava was different. Josslyn realized that Trina and Ava had bonded over what Ryan Chamberlain and Esme Prince had put them through, but Josslyn insisted that Ava continued to do horrible things. Josslyn was certain that Kristina wouldn’t have fallen through the window if Ava hadn’t provoked Kristina first, but Trina argued that Josslyn hadn’t been there. Undaunted, Josslyn asked if Ava was worthy of Trina’s friendship, but Trina reminded Josslyn that Josslyn also turned a blind eye to certain people in Josslyn’s life.

Just then, Ava entered and immediately picked up on the tension. Josslyn pointedly told Ava that they were headed to the baby’s funeral, but Trina told Josslyn that she would catch up with Josslyn at the funeral. Josslyn assured Ava that things would have turned out differently if Ava’s altercation had been with Josslyn rather than Kristina.

After Josslyn left, Trina cut to the chance and questioned Ava about her changing her story. Ava was evasive, but Trina wanted the truth. Eventually, Ava explained that it was too dangerous, but Trina didn’t care because Trina wasn’t a child and had dealt with dangerous situations before. Resigned, Ava confessed that she was in trouble and had been forced to say things that weren’t true. “The only way for me to stay alive is to do what I’m told,” Ava said.

After Ava confessed to Trina, she promised to make things right. Trina suggested that Ava could start by telling the truth, but Ava wasn’t ready. Trina warned Ava that time was running out.

Shortly after Trina left, Ava recalled watching Kristina stumble back and crash through the window. She pushed the memory away, closed her laptop, and started to leave. She froze when Sonny walked in. “Going somewhere?” he asked. Alarmed, Ava asked if he intended to kill her. Sonny conceded that she deserved to die. “But I’m not here to take your life. I’m here to save your life,” Sonny said.

At Alexis’ house, Alexis was on the phone with someone that she urged to get to Port Charles because they were needed. After the she ended the call, she approached Kristina, who was seated on the sofa, reading the petition for custody she’d drawn up. When Alexis asked how Kristina had slept, Kristina admitted that she'd dreamed of waking up in the hospital and learning that her daughter was dead, only to wake up to another nightmare where Ava blamed her for everything. Alexis assured Kristina that they would get through it together as a family.

When Alexis mentioned Molly and T.J. burying “their daughter” later that day, Kristina wondered if Molly and T.J. would still consider Kristina family if they knew the truth. “I was going to keep my baby girl—if she had lived,” Kristina said. Kristina picked up the petition for custody and read it aloud, but Alexis took it from her and set it aside. Alexis reminded Kristina that Molly and T.J. were hurting as much as Kristina was, so there was no reason to add to anyone’s pain.

Later, Kristina returned to the living room, dressed for the funeral, and saw Alexis and Molly talking. “It was our decision to make,” Molly told Alexis. Kristina was curious what they had been talking about, but Alexis began to fuss over Kristina. Kristina waved her mother away and asked where T.J. was. When Molly explained that he was home with his family, Kristina asked if Molly and T.J. had been fighting again.

“No,” Molly said. Molly revealed that she had wanted a moment alone with Kristina before the funeral because Molly and T.J. had named the baby. “Without me?” Kristina asked. Molly explained that it had been time because they had needed a name before the baby was laid to rest. Kristina was upset because she believed that she should have been included in the decision. “We’re her parents,” Molly said. “I gave birth to her,” Kristina argued.

Molly told Kristina that it was too late because she and T.J. had named the baby Irene Marie after T.J.’s grandmother. Kristina complained that she would have chosen another name, but Alexis quickly intervened and implored both of her daughters not to argue. Just then, John arrived and announced that he intended to take Kristina to the police station for questioning. Both Molly and Alexis were outraged at the timing. John threatened to arrest Alexis and Molly if they tried to stop him, so Alexis asked Molly to fetch the judge’s orders because the judge had set strict parameters for John’s contact with Kristina.

Alexis informed John that he was required to arrange in advance a date and time to interview Kristina. John informed Alexis that Ava had given an official statement, so he had all the proof he needed to pursue Kristina. “And I will,” John promised. “Get out!” Alexis shouted.

After John left, Alexis rushed over to comfort Kristina. Meanwhile, Molly stared with stunned disbelief at the petition for custody that she’d found. Molly looked over at Alexis and Kristina. “Nothing is more important for me than to protect you,” Alexis assured Kristina.