Her biological mother is finally free from prison and proven to still be alive meaning she can legally reclaim custody of her daughter in just 24 hours, forcing Carly (Laura Wright) and Sonny (Maurice Benard) to make a drastic move so they can keep Avery away from Ava (Maura West) on General Hospital.

Ava and Carly Face Off

Carly will be forced to break the unpleasant news to Sonny that Ava has a court order requiring they give AVery back to her-news that could cause him a setback in his recovery after he was shot on what was supposed to be their wedding day.

"You've got something to say," he says to Carly in a preview clip for the Friday, Sept. 25 episode.

Elizabeth Works To Keep Jake For Herself

"You're not going to like it," Carly replies.

When Carly finally tells Sonny what's going on however, she may reveal that Ava's court order is hinged on the fact that Sonny is currently considered unable to act in his full duties as a father because he is in a hospital bed-and no one else, including Carly has any technical legal right to claim her away from her mother because there are no other family members who are blood related to her that can stake a better claim.

However, Sonny and Carly may come up with a solution to their problem that could temporarily block Ava and set things up for a genuine custody battle. If he and Carly marry in his hospital room within 24 hours, Carly legally becomes Avery's stepmother-giving her more claim and allowing the Corinthos clan more leverage as they try to beat Ava at her own game.

General Hospital airs Monday-Friday at 3 p.m. on ABC.

Tags: general hospital ABC Soap Operas