GH PREVIEW: MICHAEL AND WILLOW SAY, “I DO”
■ With Wiley’s custody hearing fast approaching, Michael and Willow decide to get married to give him the best possible shot of besting Nelle in court.
“From the beginning, Michael and Willow saw the wisdom of getting married in order to have that extra leverage in the custody battle against Nelle,” notes Co-head Writer Dan O’connor. “But they couldn’t bring themselves to do it knowing its potential to hurt Chase and Sasha. Now that the tables have been turned and they are the ones that have been hurt by them, they really must reconsider just how far they are willing to go to protect Wiley.”
Michael and Willow have a heart-to-heart in which Michael suggests that their bond as friends and shared love for Wiley could be a good basis for their union. Points out O’connor, “Michael has always trusted Willow in Wiley’s life, far more than he has trusted many other people. In many ways, Michael has always viewed Willow as a perfect co-parent to his child. Obviously, things aren’t as simple as when Michael was involved with Sasha, but now that the table has been cleared in their relationships,
Michael truly believes that Willow not only provides a leverage in the custody battle but provides another role model in Wiley’s life.”
According to Co-head Writer Chris Van Etten, both characters take a pragmatic approach to the nuptials. “They know that people get married for all kinds of reasons. To just say that only because of romantic love is just not true! And in this case, they have as noble a reason for getting married as any other, which is to protect the life and well-being of the little boy that they both love. To them, that’s as good a reason to get married as any.” Chimes in O’connor, “Michael and Willow have had a true connection since the day they met and bonded when they were in grief counseling together, not only because of their shared experiences, but because of the chemistry, friendship-wise, that they have. Some would say that is a good basis to start a relationship, and that perhaps marriage could lead to something [romantic], even though the characters are not thinking that in any way, shape or form.”
Michael and Willow inform his family of their plans, “and they receive their support,” says O’connor. Sonny even enlists Lucy to officiate the quickie ceremony, which is how Sasha gets word of it. “I think this is a classic case of ‘be careful what you wish for,’ ” sighs Van Etten. “Seeing that their scheme is working only provides more heartbreak for Sasha and Chase, because through their own machinations, they are being kept from the people they love.”