'Chasing Life' Recap: 'Next April'

On the winter premiere of Chasing Life, April returns to work following chemo, Sara contemplates reaching out to Natalie to see if she’ll be a bone marrow donor for April, and Leo wakes up from his post-op coma.

The episode opens with April getting dressed in preparation for her appointment with Dr. Hamburg. Once at the hospital, April frets over the possibility of her cancer coming back, but Dr. Hamburg tries to reassure her that half the battle is over and she will continue to do all she can to help April beat the cancer again should she relapse. Dr. Hamburg also promises that April will find a good bone marrow donor, since April’s mom, Sara is only a half-match. April informs Dr. Hamburg she will be going back to work the following day before going to visit Leo, who is in a coma following his surgery.

Cue opening theme.

At work the next day, April chats with her co-workers and asks Danny about their new boss. She also slums over Dominic from afar.

Meanwhile, at the Charles Coffee Shop, Brenna and Kieran are discussing a new girl Kieran is into. They also talk about Greer. The pair is finally back on good terms.

Back at work, April tries to score an appointment with her new boss, but he’s totally booked. A while later, April and Beth discuss Leo and work over lunch. Beth has a new job as a personal assistant, though she’s still stressed over making ends meet. April sympathizes.

At the Carver house, everyone asks April about her first day back to work. April seems glad to return to some normalcy, though admits her fears about finding a good bone marrow donor should she need one down the road. Dr. Hamburg told her that her mom, Sara is the most ideal half match for being a bone marrow donor, but someone younger would be better. Hearing April’s fears, Sara wonders if she should reach out to April’s half-sister, Natalie for instance, though Brenna seems to think it’s a bad idea given what happened when they met during Brenna’s school trip to Florida. In the end, Sara still views reaching out to Natalie as something potentially good and contemplates meeting Natalie’s mom, Olivia.

At work, April finally meets her new boss, Aaron. He’s inattentive and brusque.

Meanwhile, at the Carver house, Sara wonders how to go about contacting Natalie’s mom, Olivia. George tells her what he knows, though Sara soon admits she doesn’t want to talk about the situation anymore and the topic of conversation shifts to a black tie gala being held the following evening in George’s honor. Simultaneously, the pair have finally decided to get together yet struggle to keep their newfound relationship a secret from April and Brenna.

Back at work, April runs into Dominic on the elevator and the exchange is tense. Simultaneously, April catches a new woman making eyes at Dominic, much to her dismay.

At the Carver house, Emma and Sara work on contacting Olivia via email. When Sara gets up to make some tea, Emma pretends to send a snarky version of the letter as a way to ease tension.

Later, April visits Leo, who’s still in a coma. As April fills Leo in on her life following chemo, he finally wakes up.

When April and Beth catch up following April’s latest encounter with Leo, she informs Beth that he’s now awake and contemplates whether or not he’ll remember her. Beth is happy that Leo’s making progress, but cautions April against “romanticizing” her relationship with him, reminding her that she’s pining away for a guy who’s only partially conscious.

Meanwhile, Brenna and Greer meet up, though the reunion is less than warm when Greer mentions that her parents’ disapproval of their relationship is stronger than ever. The pair is not getting back together like Brenna hoped.

April continues to have memory lapses during an interview with a successful businesswoman balancing motherhood. And when Danny looks over the write-up of April’s interview, he notes that it’s less than gleaming. April confesses she forgot to record the interview and worries that she’ll be fired. She also wonders what she should say at the upcoming staff meeting.

At the black-tie gala in honor of George, April apologizes to Brenna for things not working out with Greer while Sara laughs with George and his colleagues.

April runs into Dr. Hamburg at the gala while practicing her speech and admits that she’s still having memory problems. She also complains about her wig itching, so Dr. Hamburg advises her to take it off. A while later, April gives a touching speech about her uncle George sans wig as per Dr. Hamburg’s suggestion.

Following George’s speech, Dr. Hamburg shares April’s fears about her health with him.

The next morning, Sara informs everyone that Olivia has responded to her email and she and Natalie are on their way to Boston.

At the staff meeting, April tells her boss that she didn’t get the interview. Raquel finds the mishap a blessing as pieces about “women who have it all” is way overdone. Aaron says they’ll have to plan accordingly and choose another piece to run. Meanwhile, April thanks Raquel for saving her in private, but Raquel says she’s only looking out for herself, because she fears Aaron’s going to turn the paper into a tabloid.

Back at the Carver house, Brenna tells her grandma, Emma about her failed attempt at a reunion with Greer. Emma shares a story about how she and her grandpa met as a way to motivate her to stay positive.

At work, April runs into Dominic and asks to call a truce, though Dominic is unwilling.

Later, Sara frets over Olivia and Natalie’s visit. When they arrive, Natalie is less-than-thrilled that she’s being asked to potentially serve as a bone marrow donor for April. In the middle of the meeting, Sara gets a call saying that Brenna was caught breaking into Greer’s house and is forced to leave. Since Sara has to leave, Natalie decides it’s okay for her to bail, too.

At Greer’s house, the police ask if her parents would like to press charges and a fight ensues. Greer’s dad says they won’t press charges this time, but next time they might not be so forgiving. Sara tells Brenna she doesn’t want her to see Greer any longer, which doesn’t sit well with her.

Once Sara and Brenna have returned to the Carver house, Sara talks to George and Emma catches them canoodling in private. They’re embarrassed to have been found out.

The next morning, Olivia visits the Carver house with peonies for Sara as a peace offering. Olivia apologizes for Natalie’s behavior and informs April and Sara that Natalie has agreed to being tested to see if she can be a bone marrow donor. When Olivia leaves, April and Sara share a joyful embrace.

At work, April receives a call from Dr. Hamburg. She’s worried that her cancer has come back, but the call concerns Leo. Dr. Hamburg encourages April to visit Leo since her talking to him helped before. Leo wakes up and is able to converse with April.

Chasing Life airs on a new night and time—Mondays at 9 p.m. on ABC Family.

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