General Hospital Recap, February 18: Dante gets the damning news he NEVER wanted to hear

Here is your General Hospital recap for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, when Dante coaches Nathan on life with Maxie before getting a phone call that changes everything.

What happened on General Hospital

Nathan isn't sure what to do about Maxie | Image: ABC

At the PCPD, Nathan reported to Dante that Michael handed over his keys with no argument and allowed the cops to search his bedroom and home office. Nathan realized that this was a fishing expedition, thinking that the last thing a guilty person would do was leave the key to his victim's house on his key ring.

Dante suggested that Nathan leave for the day and go to Maxie's homecoming party. Nathan confessed he was hoping to find something to do at work because he wasn't sure he wanted to see Maxie just yet, especially in front of all those people.

"I have no idea what's going to happen when Maxie and I are face-to-face," Nathan admitted.

Dante took Nathan into the interrogation room to talk privately. Nathan was worried that things would go sideways if he saw Maxie too soon. "I am sure that part of Maxie will be thrilled, but what about the part that moved on seven years ago? How is that part going to feel?" Nathan asked. "I just don't want to become an obligation that she's gotta deal with."

Nathan was sure that Maxie's feelings had to have changed. Dante wondered if Nathan was talking himself into letting her go. "Well, shouldn't I?" Nathan asked. He then had a very pointed question: "If you had known for sure that Lulu was going to wake up, would you have given up the life you had with Sam to be with her?"

Dante wasn't quite sure how to answer, but reminded Nathan that he and Lulu weren't even together when Lulu entered her coma and Sam died before Lulu woke. "The timing was different and timing matters," Dante said, stressing that he loved Sam and wanted to make a life with her.

"And what if Maxie is just as committed to Spinelli and the life she made with him?" Nathan asked. He also said he would reunite with Maxie if that's what James wanted. Dante told Nathan it had to be what he wanted, too.

Before they could finish their conversation, Dante got a call. When he hung up, he told Nathan, "My brother lied. He has a key to Drew's house."

Willow liked the idea of power | Image: ABC

Willow and Nina met up in Nina's office, where Nina suggested throwing a big party for Wiley and Amelia at Drew's Dawn of Day house. Willow was all for it as she listened to Nina talk about the benefits of compromise. She was glad that Michael had seen the light and wanted Willow in the kids' lives.

Willow argued that the only reason Michael agreed to shared custody was to avoid a visitation hearing now that he was the main suspect in Drew's shooting. "But all of that is Michael's problem now. I have something much more important to consider," Willow announced.

Nina was thrilled to hear that Willow had a chance to take Drew's place in Congress. Willow was surprised at her mother's enthusiasm. Nina went on and on about how perfect Willow was for the job. "Plus, you have a secret weapon. Me!" Nina declared.

Nina reminded Willow that she was the one who helped get Drew elected by using her political connections. However, Nina had to admit the truth. "I made a horrible mistake backing Drew. So did everyone who voted for him," she said. "But you are going to be a different story because of your heart. You're more equipped to do good than Drew ever was."

Nina poured it on thick, telling her would-be-murderess daughter how warm and engaging she was. "People will want to work with you," she said with a smile. She reminded Willow that she could walk away by the end of Drew's term, "but if you like it, it can change the trajectory of your entire life. It could empower you in ways that you never dreamed of."

Willow wondered what to do about Drew, so Nina suggested she put him in a long-term care facility. That would ruin Willow's chances of torturing Drew and keeping him incapacitated.

Alexis just wanted to do some good | Image: ABC

Alexis arrived at her office to find Molly and Suzanne kibbitzing. She was glad to see them both because she had an announcement to make. Laura wanted her to take Drew's place in Congress. Suzanne was immediately excited and was ready to set up a DC office for Alexis.

Alexis asked them to cool it because all Laura was doing was recommending her for the job. Molly was sure that the governor would listen to Laura's advice. "The more I think about it, the less I think I should do it," Alexis said, surprising them both.

Suzanne correctly pointed out that Alexis could make a difference in the world. "We need intelligent and strong women in office," she said, without adding that intelligent people in general would also be a plus. Alexis worried that she would not be able to compromise her values, which politicians often end up doing.

"Look at it as compromising for the greater good. You can do that. Look at how you've handled Willow and Drew," Molly said. Suzanne joined in, stressing that compromise is good if the end game is good for Alexis' hypothetical constituents.

Alexis considered what they said, but asked, "Am I doing this for the greater good or the good of my ego?" She also worried about what Congress did to Drew.

"Maybe it was the politics that turned him into the psychopath that he is today," Alexis mused. Molly reminded her mom that she was not Drew. Alexis actually had principles. She also worried about how this would affect Scout. Finally, Alexis decided to do it.

Kristina tried to talk sense into Cody | Image: ABC

In the Q kitchen, Kristina stopped by to talk to Cody. She heard him discussing Pride and Prejudice on the phone and suggested he read another book — Molly's. She took the manuscript from her bag and placed it on the counter. "I am sure you can find some space for this one," she said. "I know you started it, but since you didn't finish it, you have no idea how it ends."

After Kristina admitted that Molly didn't know she was there, Cody pushed the book back in her direction. "I'm not touching it. There's a steep price to violating Molly's privacy," he said. Kristina pointed out that she was the first person to violate Molly's privacy by sending the book to her agent.

Cody once again started complaining about what Molly thinks of him, but Kristina put a stop to that. She stressed that the character was loosely based on him, and if he'd read on, he'd see how the heroine's views began to change. "Casey is not the doofus here. You are. Just read the damn book," Kristina demanded.

Cody said he'd read it when it was published, so Kristina told him that Molly had decided not to publish it. "It's because she cares about you and your feelings," Kristina told Cody, who was surprised and pleased to hear that. In the end, Kristina truly wanted Molly to publish the book, but she needed Cody to read it and see how Molly truly saw him. When Kristina left, Cody finally picked up the book to read it.

Laura dropped in on Laura in her office, talking a mile a minute. Laura immediately knew that Lulu was distraught over Maxie waking when Lulu finally admitted that she had feelings for Nathan. Lulu expressed how happy she was that Maxie was awake. "Maxie isn't just coming back to her children. She is coming back to the love of her life," Lulu said.

Lulu felt that Maxie had every right to reclaim her life, but Laura reminded Lulu that her feelings for Nathan were indeed real. Lulu argued that didn't mean her feelings weren't wrong. Laura assured Lulu that it was okay to have feelings and that she shouldn't judge herself. "You're a good friend," Laura said, but Lulu begged to differ.

"I am the type of friend who kisses her best friend's husband and then tries to make excuses that it's okay to pursue a romantic relationship with him," Lulu said. She realized how selfish she sounded and didn't want to make Maxie's homecoming about her. Laura assured Lulu that it was okay to feel all her feelings when she was with her mom.

Laura wondered how Nathan was feeling about all of this, but Lulu explained that she hadn't spoken to Nathan about it yet. Lulu also confessed that she felt worse for poor Spinelli than anyone else.

Brook Lynn counseled Spinelli | Image: ABC

Brook Lynn let herself into Maxie's house to find Spinelli sitting pensively on the couch. Spinelli noted that it hit him how happy he had been living there, but worried that would soon change. "I realize how I handle what happens today will change my life. If I don't rise to the occasion, I could lose Maxie and my family," Spinelli lamented.

It finally hit Brook Lynn that Spinelli feared losing Maxie because Nathan was back. Brook Lynn told him that Jason was right. Spinelli and Maxie had something special in their own right. This wasn't just about Nathan and Maxie. Spinelli wasn't about to just give up without a fight, but he believed he was the underdog.

Brook Lynn told Spinelli that she saw the love between him and Maxie grow as they became life partners and a family. "When Maxie talks about you, her eyes light up," Brook Lynn said. She also told Spinelli that Maxie gets to make her own choice now, and Spinelli shouldn't jump the gun because she might choose him.