Days of Our Lives Update
Update written by Joseph
Belle greets Marlena at home and asks how Julie’s Book Club was yesterday. Marlena responds that it was rough, surprising Belle.
At the Horton House, Jennifer asks Chad if there’s any word on Jeremy. Chad says not yet but he hoped they would have some news before having to tell Thomas what’s going on. Jennifer says there’s no harm in holding off for now since Jeremy is Thomas’s favorite teacher and his cousin. Chad points out that Stephanie is his cousin too which makes the whole thing weird, trying to figure out how to tell him that one cousin is stalking another.
Alex and Stephanie are at home together. Stephanie doesn’t know how she will get any work done while Alex says he barely slept either. Stephanie can’t believe Jeremy made the website about her. Stephanie admits she was worried Jeremy might cause some trouble, but never thought he’d go this far. Alex declares that Jeremy has been caught now, so they can hope this nightmare is finally behind them.
Melinda Trask joins Jeremy in the interrogation room to represent him. Jeremy thanks her for representing him and says he’s heard a lot about her. Melinda says considering his family, she’s surprised he reached out. Jeremy admits that his go to is generally Justin, but considering he’s being accused of threatening to kill his son, that was out of the question so Julie suggested Melinda and said she’s a shark which is exactly what he needs right now.
At the police station, Julie tells Jada that she knows that she wants to keep Stephanie safe, but she’s harassing an innocent man. Jada knows she’s upset but suggests she go home and get some rest after being there all night. Julie says she is not one to take a nap while her family is in trouble, so she’s not going anywhere.
Marlena explains to Belle that she was there with Maggie and Julie but when it came time to share her feelings, she couldn’t find the words. Belle is sure they understood. Marlena calls it still embarrassing. Belle questions why when she just lost her husband not long ago. Belle asks what Marlena would tell herself if she was her own patient. Marlena responds that everyone grieves in their own way in their own time which Belle says includes her.
Chad asks if Jennifer believes that Jeremy did what they are saying. Jennifer says she doesn’t want to, but doesn’t know what to believe and argues that the idea that Jeremy was living in their house while secretly stalking Stephanie doesn’t even make sense. Chad agrees and points out that Jeremy is great with the kids and seems like a good guy. Chad hopes Jeremy is just being falsely accused and this is all just a giant mistake. Jennifer hopes he’s right.
Steve gets up and greets Alex and Stephanie, saying he hopes they didn’t sleep as bad as he did since he was really wound up. Stephanie points out that now Steve can finally go home but Steve says he can’t. Alex asks why not since Jeremy is in custody but Steve reveals he isn’t because Jada didn’t arrest him, she only brought him in for questioning and can only hold him for 24 hours unless he confesses. Steve declares they are stuck with him for now because he’s not letting his guard down yet and is not going anywhere.
Melinda asks Jeremy to go over why he’s at the police station. Jeremy explains that Jada asked him to come down for questioning because someone has been stalking his ex Stephanie Johnson and they think it’s him because someone made a creepy website about Stephanie and the company who sold the URL said he paid for it, but he swears he did not. Melinda questions why the company says he did. Jeremy insists he’s being setup and she’s got to believe him.
Julie asks Jada to at least have JJ or Shawn question Jeremy if she’s going to hold him. Jada says they are his cousins so that would be a conflict of interest. Julie remarks that’s never been a problem for the Salem police department. Julie argues that if they had this great evidence against him, they would’ve arrested him by now but that proves he didn’t do it. Jada hopes she’s right but if it turns out that Jeremy is the crazed fan, he will be brought to justice.
Chad tells Jennifer that he wanted to talk to her about the custody situation since Julie said Thomas wasn’t on board with what they figured out yesterday. Jennifer says that he is, but he just still has concerns about the promise Chad made to keep Cat out of his life, since he’s broken it before so he’s afraid he won’t be able to keep it now either. Chad insists that he will if that’s what is best for the kids. Jennifer knows that’s his intention but she thinks Thomas needs more than just his word.
Marlena thanks Belle for reminding her what she tells her clients about grief, that they have to be patient with themselves. Belle encourages that the mystery book club meeting will be a lot more low key so she might have a good time.
Steve says they are really lucky to have Jada on their side as she will do everything within the boundaries of the law to keep Jeremy away and now that they know he’s behind the website, he’s filed a restraining order to force him to keep his distance from Stephanie and Alex. Steve adds that even though all the evidence points towards Jeremy, they haven’t proved that he’s the stalker, so until they do, he’s still a threat.
Melinda states that the police have nothing but circumstantial evidence and that creating a website is not a crime, so the odds of charging him with anything are low. Jeremy questions why they are holding him then. Melinda guesses they want to strongarm him in to a confession. Jeremy says he has nothing to confess so Melinda says they will wait it out. Melinda says even if he did, she could get it down to a lesser offense. Jeremy refuses to confess because he’s innocent and saying otherwise would tank his career. Melinda says losing his career pales in comparison to losing his freedom. Jeremy worries that any confession would mean he would never work as a teacher again or be near kids, so his life would basically be over.
Julie tells Jada that she truly believes Jeremy is not guilty. Jada understands that she wants to think the best of her family. Julie explains that a little while ago, Jeremy told her that he was planning to leave Salem because he didn’t think he could ever get a fair shake here since too many people seem unable to forgive and forget the mistakes he made when he was younger. Julie believes that alone should close her case against him. Jada asks why it would do that. Julie calls it obvious that if Jeremy was ready to leave Salem on his own, then he’s not a threat to Stephanie or Alex. Jada responds that she doesn’t see it that way at all.
Marlena tells Belle that she has a talent for saying the right things in the right moment when someone is upset. Marlena jokes that she could’ve been a therapist but says she’s doing very well on her own path and she’s proud of her. Marlena adds that John was proud of her, Paul, and Brady too. Belle asks if she’s heard from Brady and wonders what he will do now that he’s been fired from Basic Black. Marlena says she hasn’t heard from him but she knows he’s trying hard to find his own path. Marlena mentions suggesting to him that this time could be a gift to spend with Rachel. Marlena thinks sometimes Brady is a lot like John in putting other people’s needs before his own and worrying about the rest of the staff at Basic Black while realizing it’s John’s legacy. Belle agrees that someone from the family should carry on John’s legacy and reveals she has a suggestion on who that might be. Belle then suggests Marlena herself.
Chad asks if Jennifer is saying that she doesn’t trust his word and if she and Jack are going to take this back to court. Jennifer says no and just thinks they can revisit the terms to find something Thomas is okay with. Chad argues that Thomas is 10 years old and doesn’t get to dictate their terms. Jennifer worries that Thomas could cause a problem if he feels he’s not being heard and says that all he wants is for Chad to reassure him that Cat will never be a part of his life. Jennifer says it’s not that Thomas doesn’t want Chad to find someone to love again and adds that he just told her he was sad things didn’t work out between Chad and Stephanie. Chad says that ship has sailed.
Stephanie questions if Steve doesn’t think Jeremy is the one who was terrorizing them. Steve says he just thinks it’s safer not to take anything for granted, but adds that it is possible that someone created the website to make Jeremy look guilty. Alex asks why anyone would want to do that. Steve suggests Jeremy could have enemies out there that want to set him up and repeats that it’s unlikely, but they have to consider the possibility.
Jada joins Jeremy and Melinda in the interrogation room and asks if he’s ready to talk. Jeremy responds that he hasn’t been following Stephanie, taking pictures of her, writing about her on the internet, or buy that website domain. Jeremy adds that he has no idea who did any of those things. Jada mocks that not being helpful. Melinda guesses they are done here unless there’s anything else she needs from Jeremy. Jada states that the one thing she needs from him is the truth.
Marlena tells Belle that she can’t run a company as she has no experience doing that and a a few weeks ago, she was about to retire. Belle clarifies that she’s not saying Marlena should run Basic Black, but oversee it while someone from Titan manages the line and she provides input on behalf of the family. Marlena guesses that wouldn’t be too difficult and she could run her practice at the same time. Marlena admits that John’s legacy is terribly important to her. Belle says it is to all of them and asks if Marlena will do it. Marlena agrees to think about it.
Chad tells Jennifer that his kids’ happiness is the most important thing to him but he’s drawing the line at allowing her and Thomas to dictate who he can or cannot be in a relationship with. Jennifer argues that there’s one person they don’t want him with. Chad responds that he’s not involved with that person anymore. Jennifer repeats that Thomas just needs more reassurance. Chad asks if he’s supposed to write it in blood or move to Antarctica to make sure he never runs into her again. Jennifer responds that it’s not even about Cat anymore, it’s about Thomas and being able to trust his father again.
Alex says there’s a lot of evidence pointing to Jeremy, not just buying the domain name. Steve agrees and brings up when Jeremy came back to Salem and his history with Stephanie. Steve says it all fits their theory but it’s not hard proof so there’s still a lot of blanks to fill in. Alex feels it can’t be a coincidence and that they’ve given Jeremy the benefit of the doubt long enough. Stephanie can’t believe Jeremy has this fantasy after all these years. Stephanie states that if Jeremy comes anywhere near her again, he will be sorry.
Jeremy tells Jada that he’s telling her the truth even if she doesn’t want to believe him. Jada says she does want to believe him as it would make her life a lot easier, but she doesn’t believe him. Melinda tells Jada to either press charges or let him go. Jada argues that they can legally hold him for 12 more hours which Melinda says would be a waste of time and money. Melinda says there is no way Belle will press charges against Jeremy with circumstantial evidence and suggests letting him go. Jada warns Jeremy not to leave town. Jeremy points out that he was going to move but Jada repeats for him not to leave town as she exits the room.
Chad tells Jennifer that he will talk to Thomas and do his best to make sure he understands he will keep the promise. Chad adds that Jennifer and Jack can’t be a part of the conversation as it has to be between he and his son. Chad warns that if they are going to weigh in on every decision he makes, he will see them in court. Chad asks if that’s understood but Thomas comes in so they greet him. Thomas thought Jeremy was taking him to school today but he can’t find him. Chad informs him that Jeremy is going to be absent today, so Thomas asks if he’s sick. Chad says he just had some stuff to take care of. Chad brings up that Jennifer told him that he had some worries about their custody agreement and asks if he wants to talk about it before they hit the road. Jennifer decides to give them some privacy and exits as Chad sits with Thomas. Chad asks Thomas exactly what he’s worried about and how he can make him feel better. Thomas responds that he doesn’t know as he was so mad at him but then he was so scared when he was missing and now he just wishes things could be back to the way they were. Chad responds that he does too.
Marlena looks at a photo of her and John as Belle finishes a call and tells Marlena that she has to get to work as apparently Jeremy has been brought in for questioning. Belle says it apparently has to do with Stephanie and he’s already been released, but he’s still a suspect. Marlena worries that Julie must be beside herself.
Julie hugs Jeremy and asks how he’s feeling. Jeremy says he’s exhausted but fine. Julie can’t believe they kept him all night. Jeremy questions if she’s been there all night. Julie says she wasn’t going to leave him. Jeremy thanks her as it means a lot and knows it can’t be easy for her if most of her friends and most of Salem think he’s guilty. Julie responds that she doesn’t as she knows he has a good heart and she believes in him. Jeremy says she may be the only one as he hugs her.
Alex tells Stephanie that if Jeremy is stupid enough to come near her again, all three of them will make sure he’s sorry. Stephanie says she will hold him to that. Jada shows up at their door. Stephanie asks how it went with Jeremy. Jada responds that she’s sorry but she had to let him go because there wasn’t enough evidence. Jada adds that Jeremy claims the website isn’t his and even if it was, it’s not a crime. Alex questions what the hell to do now and if they are just supposed to wait for him to commit another crime and hope to catch him in the act. Steve says they aren’t waiting for him to do anything as there are other ways to force him out. Jada is not sure she wants to know, but first points out that there’s a box outside the door. Stephanie assures she didn’t order anything as she’s been too afraid to have any stranger anywhere near her place. Steve decides he will check it out so he grabs gloves and brings in the box from Ornaments on the Square. Steve opens the card to see who it’s from.
Chad tells Thomas that nothing is more important to him than he and Charlotte as they are his world. Chad states that he can’t be happy unless they are happy and it kills him that Thomas feels he can’t trust him. Thomas says he wants to, so maybe he’ll stay for awhile and move to Jack and Jennifer’s if it doesn’t work out. Chad tells him that’s not an option. Chad wants to find a way to move forward but he can’t threaten to move away every time he makes a decision he doesn’t like. Thomas admits that makes sense. Chad says he’s willing to prove to him that he can trust him. Chad acknowledges that Cat lied when she pretended to be Abigail and he knows she didn’t just hurt him, but Jack and Jennifer and he and Charlotte. Chad calls it fair if Thomas doesn’t want Cat in his life, so maybe there’s a way to give him more than just his word. Chad informs him that he promised Jack and Jennifer that he would never get involved with Cat when they agreed to drop the custody suit. Chad decides he can call Melinda to put it in writing as part of their agreement, so it would be legally binding and the courts could get involved if he goes back on his word. Thomas asks if he could go to jail. Chad says it’s nothing like that, but Jack and Jennifer would be able to petition for custody again and would have a much stronger argument if he didn’t hold up his end. Chad asks if putting it in writing would help Thomas trust him again. Thomas admits that it would a lot.
Julie goes to see Marlena and Belle. Julie tells Marlena that she’s glad she’s feeling better but she’s still sorry about yesterday. Julie says she’s sure that Belle has heard Jeremy has been released. Belle confirms she heard and they aren’t filing charges today but she can’t promise about the future and that’s probably all she’s allowed to say. Julie believes very deeply that Jeremy is not guilty of these shocking things he’s been accused of by people rushing to say he’s guilty. Julie reveals to Belle that Jeremy was planning to leave Salem because everyone with their pitchforks was getting to be too much but Jada told him he can’t leave town and now he’s in limbo. Belle questions if Jada said he couldn’t leave town and doesn’t think it was an order, but a strong suggestion, as there’s no law keeping him in town when he hasn’t been charged with anything. Belle thinks Jada was trying to say that Jeremy would look suspicious if he left Salem. Belle thinks that if Jeremy is innocent, he should stay put and prove it.
Chad calls Melinda to make an adjustment to the mediation agreement and put in formal writing that if he pursues a relationship with Cat Green, then Jack and Jennifer can revisit the custody agreement with Thomas’s permission. Melinda doesn’t think it’s a good idea to give away leverage. Chad explains that he’s not doing it to protect himself but to build trust with his son. Melinda agrees to write something up and e-mail it to him. Chad thanks her and says he’ll be in touch as he hangs up. Chad asks Thomas if he’s happy. Thomas says that he is. Chad says he’s happy if he’s happy. Chad adds that Thomas will have to meet him in the middle because Salem is a very small town so they will run in to Cat from time to time, so he doesn’t want him to jump to conclusions every time he says hello to her or helps her with a heavy bag of groceries. Chad says that they can’t pretend Cat doesn’t exist, but if Thomas doesn’t want her in his life then she won’t be. Thomas thinks he can live with that. Chad sends Thomas to go get Charlotte so he can take them to school.
Steve reveals the package was an engagement congratulations from EJ. Stephanie is surprised while Alex questions how EJ even knew. Stephanie guesses he saw their blurb in the Spectator and had Rita send something. Steve remarks that at least their planted announcement got someone to take action, just not the someone they wanted.
Unbeknownst to Stephanie, Alex, Steve, and Jada, the delivered package was bugged with a recording device. The mystery stalker is sitting at a desk wearing a leather jacket and black gloves as they listen in to the conversation where Stephanie asks Steve about drawing the stalker out. Steve responds that the good thing about Jeremy being cut loose is now they can set a trap for him.
Stephanie says if they need to use her as bait, she’s all in but Alex says no way. Alex brings up that the message board post said he wanted to get rid of him to have Stephanie all too himself, so he will be the bait.
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