Days Update Friday, May 22, 2026

Days of Our Lives Update

 

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Update written by Joseph

Kayla and Steve sit together at the Brady Pub. Kayla asks if they should order for Stephanie too while Steve talks about how long it takes to get Stephanie out of the house for a trip. Kayla asks about their son Joey. Steve says he texted that he would meet them at the airport gate in Seattle when they arrive. Kayla says then they will be on to China. Steve assures it will be a big beautiful wedding. Kayla gets a text from Stephanie that she’ll be on her way soon and is just getting organized. Steve says it’s good they have plenty of time before heading to the airport. Kayla hopes Stephanie isn’t too disappointed that Alex is staying behind. Steve thinks with everything going on with Joy and the baby, that’s a good call. Steve adds that it will be great for Stephanie to get out of Salem and spend some time with family. Kayla hopes she can come back and turn a whole new page.

Stephanie packs her bag at home and then finds a gift box inside. Alex comes in and says she wasn’t supposed to see that until she got to China. Alex calls it just something to remember him by as she kisses him.

Gwen gets out of the shower and hears a knock at the door. She opens the door expecting Xander but is surprised to see her father Jack instead.

Xander goes to the Kiriakis Mansion and sits on the couch in the living room. Gabi comes in and asks what he’s doing there. Xander says he’s just trying to get a moment of peace. Gabi asks what happened to his arm. Xander calls it nothing compared to the sprinklers going off in his apartment. Xander says there was so much water, he won’t be able to stay there for weeks so he came here. Gabi jokes that she’s sure Maggie and Sarah will be thrilled. Xander asks why he can’t stay here if Gabi and Philip can, since it is his family home after all. Gabi responds that his timing is perfect since there’s about to be a vacancy because she’s moving out.

Roman brings Steve and Kayla a traditional Chinese breakfast to get them ready for their trip. They talk about Steve being familiar with it from his time in Asia with Bo. Steve calls it nice of Roman to send them off in style. Kayla asks Steve if he’s heard from Tripp. Steve confirms he is really excited they are all coming, but noted that Ava is driving him crazy by obsessing over all the details. Steve states that he and Ava will be civil and that Ava isn’t the same person she was when she first came to Salem. Steve supposes they’ve all changed a bit over the years. Kayla says the one thing that hasn’t changed is knowing Steve was always there to protect her, just like in the beginning, 40 years ago which they flash back to. Steve tells Kayla that he will always protect her. Kayla says this trip has really got her thinking about their first voyage to the far East which they also flash back to their honeymoon in Thailand.

Stephanie opens Alex’s gift which he calls another way for them to stay in touch as it’s an app that will alert her when he messages her. She opens the lid to see a screen with a message from Alex that says “I miss you already.” Stephanie says she won’t be long but she’s glad to have his heart while she’s gone as they kiss.

Gwen tells Jack that she heard he and Jennifer were in town, but she wasn’t expecting he would show up at her door, so she asks why he’s there.

Xander questions why Gabi is moving out. Gabi reveals that she and Philip broke up in spectacular fashion. Xander asks what happened. Gabi is sure he’ll hear about it soon enough, so she might as well tell him that Philip found out the truth that she’s the reason the DiMera-Titan merger was blown to Hell.

Steve and Kayla talk about when they had to learn sign language and flash back to their wedding. They talk about helping each other brave and needing to learn Chinese.

Stephanie thanks Alex for her gift. Alex jokes that he’ll be sending her messages before her plane even hits the ground. Stephanie asks if he’s sure he’s okay with not coming. Alex assures that he wishes he could but knows it’s not the best time to leave the country. Stephanie agrees that he has to start getting to know his daughter. Stephanie assures she will miss him every minute that she’s gone. Stephanie knows today is his first official visit with Kelsey, so she got her a little something which is a book that Julie swears will be a hit. Alex calls that really sweet and thanks her. Stephanie wants them to have a great visit and says she looks forward to being there for the next one.

Jack tells Gwen that he heard about her divorce and that she moved out of the DiMera Mansion. Gwen asks who told him. Jack says it was Chad, who also told him that Gwen felt like he only has room for one daughter in his life, but says that is not true. Jack says there’s not a day that goes by that he doesn’t think about the daughter he lost, but Gwen is also his daughter and she’s here, alive and well. Jack knows they have had their ups and downs, but they are coming up on the 4th anniversary of Abigail’s death. Jack declares that this year, he wants that day to be different. Jack says there will always be pain and sorrow, but maybe there could also be hope. Jack tells Gwen that she is not lost, she is here, and he’s kept his distance long enough. Jack wants to explore the possibility of a meaningful relationship as father and daughter, if she’s interested.

Gabi explains to Xander that after she bugged their office, she gave the intel to Tony and he was in turn supposed to name her as CEO, but instead he screwed her over and named Theo. Gabi admits she is the reason that Victor’s company and the whole house was in jeopardy. Gabi says they both know Xander isn’t shy about venting his anger, so he can go ahead and let her have it because she deserves it. Xander responds that he’s not going to do anything to her because he’s been working on his anger issues in therapy. Xander assures that he is very angry and he wants to tear the room apart, but he’s not going to do that. Xander says he’s going to employ the techniques he’s learned to remain calm. Xander adds that he’s had ample opportunity to practice those techniques because quite a few people in Salem make him very angry, but he didn’t expect Gabi to be one of them as he considered her a friend. Gabi says she considered him one too and brings up how sweet he was when Arianna was missing, so that’s why she feels so bad. Xander admits that he hates being on the receiving end but her techniques are impressive and that he probably would’ve done the same thing. Gabi wishes she could take back what she did, but she let her greed and ambition get the best of her. Xander remarks that at least she got to walk away with Gabi Chic. Gabi calls that her consolation prize from Tony and complains that she was so stupid to trust him. Gabi then reveals that Tony just offered her the CEO job again, but this time she turned it down because she didn’t want to compete against the man she loved. Xander asks if she will change her mind now that she and Philip are over. Gabi says no because she still doesn’t trust Tony and she never wants to screw over the people who were so good to her again.

Gwen asks Jack what Jennifer would have to say about them having a meaningful relationship. Jack admits that Jennifer doesn’t know he’s here, but he knows she would never begrudge him the opportunity to reach out to her like this. Gwen argues that she would because she absolutely despises her and she knows that’s why Jack has been keeping his distance, because Jennifer wouldn’t handle them being close very well and would hate it.

Alex asks Stephanie if they should head to the Pub to pick up her parents so they don’t miss their flight. Stephanie says they have a little time and suggests he make her heart spin right now as they head to the bedroom.

Kayla asks Steve for a preview of his wedding speech. Steve responds that he was thinking he would tell Tripp and Wendy that nothing can prepare them for what’s to come. Kayla asks if he’s trying to scare them. Steve says he would also say the lack of predictability can be scary, but it’s actually the best part and what makes life interesting. Steve adds the more you go through with your partner, the more you realize there’s no one you’d rather go through it with. Kayla agrees they have been through a lot as they have more flashbacks. Steve jokes that there’s never a dull moment in their marriage.

Xander questions why Gabi decided to tell him about this. Gabi repeats that he’d find out soon enough as it’s only a matter of time before Philip told him. Gabi reveals her belief that Theo told Philip because he’s one of the only people who knew and she saw Theo talking to Philip minutes before Philip was ripping her to shreds. Xander questions when Theo found out. Gabi admits Tony told him months ago and he promised not to say anything but she believes he obviously changed his mind. Xander questions why Theo would tell Philip now after all this time. Gabi flashes back to reading Theo’s journal about his feelings for her. Gabi then tells Xander that she has a few ideas.

Jack tells Gwen that he doesn’t want to speculate on how Jennifer will react to him extending himself to her like this, but he wants Jennifer to support him in everything he does. Jack adds that what happens between them will be between them. Jack acknowledges that he’s been forgiven for some despicable things, so the least he can do is extend that same grace to his own daughter, who he does love. Gwen gets emotional about Jack calling her his daughter. Jack declares that she is and always will be, even if she doesn’t want to be. Gwen tearfully assures that she does want that very much.

Kayla tells Steve that they haven’t even talked about what has really kept their marriage interesting; their kids. Steve talks about thinking he was tough until their babies stole his heart as they flash back to Joey and Stephanie’s births. They talk about Stephanie being kidnapped shortly after birth and how they hope now she is safe. Kayla assures that’s behind them and never going to happen again. Stephanie and Alex then arrive to greet them. Stephanie asks what they were talking about. Steve says it’s just that they are so glad she’s here.

Gabi tells Xander that Henderson packed her things, so she should get going before Philip comes back. Gabi adds that she hopes Sarah is cool with Xander being there. Xander thinks it will be good for both of them and convenient with Victoria. Gabi remarks that the place is definitely big enough for all of them.

Gwen apologizes for being unusually emotional lately and blames her divorce because it brings up old familiar feelings of being unwanted and unloved. Jack assures that he’s here to tell her that she is wanted and loved. Jack knows they can’t just rebuild their relationship like that, but he really does want to try. Gwen says that makes two of them as they hug.

Roman returns to Steve and Kayla’s table. Stephanie talks about being beyond excited to go to Tripp’s wedding and admits she usually cries before the ceremony even begins. Roman talks about Kayla also loving weddings. Steve jokes that it’s good they had so many then. Stephanie asks which one was her favorite. Kayla says they were all great and can’t choose. Roman jokes that they should keep the streak going to Steve says they can start planning now. Kayla says she’s good and just wants to be a guest now, first at Tripp and Wendy’s wedding, then coming back to celebrate Stephanie and Alex which they say they can’t wait for.

After Jack leaves, Gwen grabs her phone and goes to Xander’s name.

Gabi says she’s going to see if Henderson needs any help with her bags and wishes Xander luck. Xander stops Gabi and says he may be new and improved, her betrayal guarantees he will always hold her in contempt and he will hold a grudge so deeply that she will feel it every time she breathes. Gabi repeats how deeply she regrets what she did. Gabi adds that if she does succeed in claiming Stefan’s inheritance, she plans to financially compensate Titan to at least make up for some of the damage she caused. Gabi then exits the mansion. Xander then gets a call from Gwen, who suggests they get together, but Sarah walks in to the Kiriakis Mansion and questions what Xander is doing there. Xander tells Gwen it’s not a great time as he hangs up and announces to Sarah that he’s moving back in.

Jack goes to the Brady Pub and says he’s glad he caught Steve and Kayla before they left. Steve says he was hoping they’d see him before they took off. Jack asks for a moment with Steve so they step aside. Jack tells Steve that he couldn’t let him leave without giving him something for his nephew and his bride. Jack says he thought it’d be best to go with a Chinese tradition. Steve opens the envelope and says he really went with that tradition. Jack says he and Jennifer wanted them to start their new life out right. Steve hugs him and says he really appreciates that. Alex comes over and says they should get to the airport. Jack says he should get going too and exits. Steve goes to pay their check. Alex asks Stephanie if she has everything. Stephanie says she thinks so. Alex jokes about sending her so many messages. Stephanie assures she will hurry back. Roman comes back and tells Steve that his money is no good here as he wishes them safe travels. Roman tells them to have a good time in China, take lots of pictures, and give his love to Tripp and Wendy. Steve asks Kayla if she’s ready for another adventure. Kayla says with him by her side, always. They say they love each other as they kiss and then exit the Pub.

Happy 40th Anniversary Mary Beth Evans (Kayla)!

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