Days of Our Lives Update
Update written by Joseph
Abe and Paulina remain at Theo’s side in the hospital. Paulina tries a noise maker and complains that they’ve tried everything to get Theo to wake up, so she thought loud noise might annoy him awake. Abe thanks her for trying and says normally a sound like that would make Theo jump out of his skin, but not tonight. Theo then suddenly begins to make movements.
Rafe, Gabi, and Marlena are the Bistro for Javi and Leo’s wedding reception. Gabi questions how long taking wedding photos can take. Rafe jokes that with Leo, it could take all night. Marlena suggests Leo has Javi re-enacting Drag Race scenes. Rafe asks where Arianna is. Gabi says she went to go hang out with her friends. Gabi points out that it’s after midnight and they haven’t toasted to 2026. Chad joins them and asks where the newlyweds are. Marlena says she will go try and find out but Javi then arrives, so everyone applauds until noticing Javi’s sad demeanor. Chad asks where Leo is. Javi responds that he’s not coming.
Leo returns to his room at the Salem Inn where he had rose petals in the shape of a heart on the bed and had left a card for Javi. Leo then walks back out of the room.
Gwen goes home to the DiMera Mansion and pours a drink until Dimitri walks in and remarks that she’s made herself right at home. Gwen questions what the hell he’s doing there. Dimitri says he could ask her the same thing and reminds her that she is his wife. Gwen responds that she lives there and he’s trespassing. Dimitri calls it his family home. Gwen calls it EJ’s home. Dimitri is sure his uncle won’t mind him moving back in. Gwen says she might and tells him to go lay his lying, cheating head somewhere else.
Leo returns to the town square which is being cleaned up from the wedding and steps on a balloon, popping it.
Gabi questions if Leo dumped Javi for Dimitri. Javi clarifies that no one dumped anyone, but he walked away. Rafe asks what that means. Javi says he told Leo that they can’t move forward until Leo resolves his feelings for his ex. Gabi asks what feelings, arguing that Leo loves Javi and married him. Javi says not officially and asks Marlena to hold off on filing the certificate. Javi argues that he can’t have Leo stay with him while secretly wondering what life could’ve been like with Dimitri as he needs to know that his husband loves him with his whole heart. Marlena reminds him that they have 10 days to file the paperwork, so he can let her know before then. Chad says he and Marlena can take things from here if Rafe and Gabi want to take Javi home, but Javi says there’s no chance because they paid a lot of money for this reception so they can’t let it go to waste as he then drinks from a bottle of champagne.
Theo wakes up, thrilling Abe & Paulina. Abe tells him that he’s alright and at the hospital with he and Paulina. Theo questions what happened as he doesn’t remember anything outside of being in the crypt. Paulina tells Theo to keep talking to Abe while she goes to get the doctor. Theo starts to remember what Peter tried to do. Abe assures him that Peter Blake will never be able to hurt him again.
Chad and Marlena find Leo in the town square. Leo guesses they heard what happened which Marlena confirms. Leo asks if Javi told them that he dumped him. Marlena assures that Javi was very clear that it was his decision. Leo says that’s good so Rafe and Gabi don’t hunt him down for hurting their cousin which is the last thing he wanted to do. Chad says they are sorry about all of this. Leo can’t believe Dimitri showed up out of nowhere and tells him in front of Javi that everything he thought was true wasn’t actually true and then Javi pauses their wedding and walks away. Chad asks where Dimitri is. Leo responds that he doesn’t know as he stormed off after Javi left. Chad asks if he wants them to track Dimitri down so they can talk. Leo says no and thanks him but says he just needs time to process this. Leo wishes this was a bad dream that he could wake up from in the arms of his new husband. Leo suggests they go home and salvage what’s left of their New Year’s Eve. Chad tells Leo to call him if he needs anything as he then exits. Leo thinks Marlena should take off too so she can be home with her family. Marlena declares that she’s not going anywhere as she’s exactly where she wants to be right now with him.
Rafe and Gabi try to calm Javi down. Javi argues that you’re supposed to drown your sorrows when your marriage ends before it even starts. Javi remarks that he forgot how much he hates champagne and asks them to get him more to drink but they refuse. Javi mocks them for cutting him off on his doomed wedding night. Javi calls himself such an idiot as he takes another drink of champagne. Javi complains that he married Leo, knowing that he never got closure from his ex and his unresolved feelings for Dimitri would come back to bite them one day and that day is now here. Rafe says something about that doesn’t sit right. Rafe questions the chances of Dimitri suddenly coming back to Salem on the night they get married. Gabi asks if someone brought him back to stop the wedding. Rafe says it was someone with one hell of an axe to grind. Gabi questions who would have such a vendetta against Javi. Rafe says it’s not against Javi but against Leo.
Dimitri questions Gwen getting to say who lives in the DiMera Mansion. Gwen says that EJ went away on a family emergency and put her in charge in his absence and she doesn’t want him here. Dimitri calls Gwen a gold digging grifter that is now mistress of the manor. Gwen argues that she married him for love and now she despises him with every fiber of her being, but back then she was stupid enough to fall for his performance even though there was a mountain of evidence that there was another side to him. Gwen complains that Dimitri made her feel like she had found exactly what she was looking for her entire life and that’s why she said yes, only to discover it was all a vicious, disgusting, horrible lie. Dimitri points out that Gwen has told a boatload of those herself. Gwen repeats that she married him for love and he deceived her and used her to get his hands on his inheritance. Dimitri says that in the end, his inheritance ended up in her greedy little hands and she’s been squeezing every ounce out of being Mrs. Dimitri Von Leuschner. Dimitri accuses her of taking over his life, stealing his fortune, and landing a spot in the family home which he has no idea why EJ has agreed to. Gwen argues that EJ offered her refuge after he saw how disgusting Dimitri was to her because he’s a gentleman. Dimitri disagrees that EJ is a gentleman and argues that Gwen is no lady, but a kidnapper.
Chad goes home and wishes Julie a happy New Year. Julie tells him that Jeremy went to bed right after the ball dropped and asks how the wedding was. Julie notes Chad’s expression and asks what Leo came up with this time.
Marlena sits with Leo and says they don’t have to talk if he doesn’t want to and can just sit here quietly. Marlena asks what he is thinking. Leo says so many things really. Marlena asks what he’s thinking about tonight. Leo responds that the situation he’s in is the epitome of irony because he spent his entire life chasing after men who didn’t want him, being rejected by men who thought he was too much or too little and he just wanted one man who thought he was enough for a lifetime and now he has two, but he’s never been more miserable.
Javi questions Rafe thinking someone used Dimitri to get back at Leo. Gabi points out that Leo has made a lot of enemies. Javi laughs them off at conspiracy theories. Rafe asks if he doesn’t want to know the real reason Dimitri came back to town. Javi questions what difference it makes since Dimitri is here now and his relationship may very well be over. Gabi refuses to believe that. Rafe declares that the damn DiMeras really do ruin everything they touch.
Gwen threatens to sue Dimitri for slander if he keeps throwing around baseless accusations. Dimitri argues that she would lose that lawsuit because he’s the one telling the truth. Dimitri tells Gwen to admit that she had him kidnapped so she could maintain control of his trust fund. Gwen argues that she spent months trying to track him down but says he can believe what he wants because she’s bored with this conversation. Dimitri says the authorities will want to listen to what he has to say. Gwen argues that they’ll just throw him in a cell. Dimitri says this is way bigger than the Salem police department and says he will go straight to his old friends at the ISA. Gwen brings up how he duped the ISA to try and steal the Alamanian Peacock. Gwen tells Dimitri to face that he has zero proof that she had anything to do with his disappearance. Dimitri says she’s right, but it’s only a matter of time before he does. Gwen calls him delusional. Dimitri says she was impulsive and so blinded by her desire to get back at Leo that she didn’t think this through. Dimitri remarks that she dropped her revenge bomb on Leo, but now she’s screwed because he’s free, he set the record with Leo, and now he can finally divorce Gwen and have her thrown out on her ass. Dimitri adds that he’ll enjoy seeing her go back to the penniless piece of trash she really is.
A doctor checks on Theo and informs him that he suffered a severe concussion so it will be awhile before he can resume regular activity but he believes he will make a full recovery. He tells Theo to get some rest and he will check on him in the morning as he exits. Abe exclaims that Theo is going to be alright while Paulina calls it a New Year’s miracle.
Julie guesses she was wrong about Leo as for once, the debacle in town wasn’t his fault. Chad says it’s all on Dimitri even if he didn’t mean for it to happen. Chad asks what Julie is still doing up. Julie says she couldn’t sleep so she came back down. Chad doesn’t think he’ll get any sleep soon so he offers to join her which Julie says she would love.
Gabi assures that Leo knows Javi is the best thing to ever happen to him. Rafe agrees, adding that Javi made Leo a better man and tolerable. Javi remarks that they don’t have to tolerate Leo anymore. Gabi argues that Leo isn’t going to throw away what they have to go back to a toxic jerk like Dimitri. Gabi brings up that Gwen has all of Dimitri’s money. Javi thanks them for trying to cheer him up. Gabi says that’s what family is for and suggests they go home. Javi remembers that Leo got them a room at the Salem Inn for their wedding night and wonders if he’s there. Gabi says there’s only one way to find out. Rafe questions if he really wants to go there. Javi decides that he and Leo both need some time.
Marlena tells Leo that she knows what it’s like to choose between two men you love. Marlena brings up thinking John was Roman when she first fell in love with John. Leo says he made his choice to marry Javi and wasn’t supposed to have any more choices to make. Marlena is afraid he does and suggests he listen to his heart to see which way it guides him.
Gwen questions Dimitri wanting to divorce her. Dimitri says that can’t come as a surprise. Gwen says it does because if anyone is getting a divorce from their sham of a marriage, it’s going to be her. Dimitri doesn’t care who does it as long as he never has to see her again. Gwen remarks that he hasn’t thought things through and is so blinded by his desire to get rid of her as she reminds him that he has to remain married to her to meet the terms of his inheritance and she knows he’d do anything to hold onto it. Dimitri responds that she’s made a fatal miscalculation in her lust for revenge. Dimitri says it only said he had to be married before his 40th birthday to get his inheritance and it said nothing about staying married, so he gets to keep it while Gwen gets nothing. Dimitri concludes that it was never hers to begin with and will soon be all his once again.
Abe says they better let Theo get some rest. Abe adds that he and Paulina will be back to check on him soon. Theo stops them and says he remembers more from the crypt. Theo asks about everyone else. Abe responds that everyone else is safe. Theo asks about Kristen being sick. Abe assures she’s much better now. Theo says that’s good but asks how they got out of the crypt. Abe calls that a story for another day as they want him to rest and recover, so he can come home. Paulina adds that everyone has been asking about him, so she’s going to make some phone calls to tell everybody the good news as she exits the room.
Julie tells Chad that when the telephone rang on Christmas Eve and she saw it was hospital, her heart sank, but then she heard Chad’s voice and she knew everything was going to be alright. Julie is glad they were all alright after being stuck in the crypt with Peter Blake. Julie says the silver lining is his time away gave Jack and Jennifer time to reconsider their approach to the custody case. Chad says he’s grateful for that but there’s still some stuff to iron out and he’s not sure they will be able to come to an agreement. Julie cries that she can’t take sides but she wants what’s best for Thomas and Charlotte. Chad says he knows. Chad doesn’t know what they would do without Julie and thanks her. Julie says she loves him and his children. Julie adds that them living in the house when she lost Doug saved her as without their constant support and attention, she wouldn’t be the functioning widow she is today. Julie declares that in her darkest hour, they were her light. Julie then gets a call from Paulina and asks what’s happened. Paulina informs her that Theo is awake. Julie thanks her and hangs up. Julie then tells Chad that Theo is awake. Chad thanks God as he hugs Julie.
Gwen accuses Dimitri of lying. Dimitri asks why he would lie. Gwen says it comes so naturally to him. Dimitri calls that rich coming from her. Gwen asks why he didn’t just divorce her if he never had to stay married to her. Dimitri guesses he felt sorry for her and thought she had earned the right to enjoy some of the spoils of being Mrs. Dimitri Von Leuschner. Gwen complains about him making a fool of her by shagging Leo every chance he got. Dimitri asks what about what she did to him by capturing him and holding him hostage for months, ruining his life. Dimitri declares that he’d say they are about even now.
Rafe and Gabi bring Javi home. Javi drunkenly asks for tequila but they tell him to get to bed and feel better in the morning, so Javi tells them he loves them and goes to his room. Gabi calls it a horrible way to start the new year. Rafe doesn’t think Leo’s is starting any better.
Leo tells Marlena that Dimitri broke his heart and it was incredibly painful but it also set him free and allowed him to move on to Javi, who is the kindest and most wonderful man. Leo calls Javi the closest thing to perfect he will ever have. Marlena asks if Leo loves Javi the same way he loves Dimitri or if he would still want a second chance with Dimitri if he hadn’t abandoned him. Leo says if Javi hadn’t walked away tonight, they would be married and he doesn’t want to lose Javi or the man he has become with Javi by his side, but then there’s Dimitri and he doesn’t know what to do.
Julie and Chad have a late toast of champagne for the New Year’s. Chad mentions hearing that Julie got him an invite to Thanksgiving. Julie decides she owes Chad an apology because she thinks her anger towards Cat influenced his children and also influenced Jack and Jennifer. Chad tells Julie that’s not on her as he knew how Jack and Jennifer felt and still allowed himself to have feelings for Cat. Julie questions if he thinks that’s something allowed or that you can control love. Chad asks if she’s letting him off the hook. Julie knows the heart is a very powerful organ that can overwhelm reason, common sense, and even her strong directives. Julie knows how hard it is to walk away from the person you love. Chad responds that his kids are his priority, so making sure they are happy and healthy is all he cares about. Julie says amen to that as they toast to a happy New Year.
Paulina returns to Theo’s room and says she called Lani, Chanel, Julie, and sent texts all around the world and they are all ecstatic that Theo is awake. Abe says he’s at the top of that list. Abe notes that he never stopped praying to God and Theo’s mother to bring him back. Theo guesses they heard his prayers. Abe is so thankful and wishes him a happy New Year. Theo says he thought he heard a party horn and wishes them a happy new year. Paulina hopes 2026 is the best year ever for all of them.
Marlena tells Leo that he’s been through quite a loop but he can’t stop believing in himself. Marlena knows he will find the solution here. Leo says the old him would say they should go dance at a bar but the new him knows he should go inside and get to sleep. Marlena reminds him that she’s only a phone call away. Leo thanks her. Marlena wishes him a happy new year as they hug.
Gabi and Rafe toast to 2026 being a fabulous year and everything working out for Javi. Gabi never thought she’d say this but she’s praying that Leo comes back. Rafe says he is too. Rafe then gets a text from Paulina that Theo is awake. Gabi says she’s so happy to hear that and calls it really great news.
Javi cries as he gets into bed in his room.
Leo returns to his room at the Salem Inn and brushes the rose petals off the bed as he lays down.
Gwen tells Dimitri that she’s finished arguing and is going to bed. Gwen suggests Dimitri slither over to the Salem Inn where Leo has a room booked as she’s sure he would welcome him. Dimitri responds that he’ll spend the night here and for the foreseeable future. Gwen mocks being touched that he wants to spend the new year under the same roof as her and exits. Dimitri declares that’s even if it kills them.
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