Days of Our Lives Update
Update written by Joseph
At the hospital, Kayla talks with Joy about her release and advises her not to push herself too hard and to rely on her home health aids. Joy says she will and knows it will be up to her and Alex to take care of Kelsey. Joy talks about looking forward to spending more time with Kelsey now. Joy adds that she’s really grateful to Alex for stepping up.
Alex watches over Kelsey at home and talks about the guest room being wheelchair ready. Alex says he’s doing all of this so Joy can take care of Kelsey. Alex finds Stephanie’s earring on the couch and thinks back to being with Stephanie the night before. Alex tells Kelsey that she will be spending a lot more time with Joy, which is a good thing for all of them.
Stephanie meets Johnny at DiMera Enterprises and notes that his message sounded urgent. Johnny gets a call from EJ, so Stephanie offers to wait outside, but Johnny says it’s not important and ignores it. Johnny then tells Stephanie that he asked her to meet because she is their PR expert and he needs her advice on how to navigate DiMera taking responsibility for all the bad things they’ve done without destroying the company in the process.
Chad joins Belle at the hospital and says he had to come. Belle says Rachel is out of surgery but it’s not over yet and they are praying for antibiotics to help. Chad asks how Belle is doing. Belle says it’s just been day with this and then EJ at the police station. Belle explains that Jada told EJ about Johnny’s accusations, so he showed up voluntarily but denied and deflected. Belle says since they don’t have any evidence other than Johnny saying so, EJ walked. Chad states that escaping justice is EJ’s favorite game. Belle says EJ has done a good job covering his tracks so far. Chad asks what’s next. Belle says the FBI is going to see what they can retrieve through forensics but she’s not expecting much, so she’s thinking they should approach from a different angle.
Johnny reminds Stephanie of the NDA she signed when she went to work for DiMera. Stephanie agrees that nothing leaves this room and asks him what is going on. Johnny informs her that there is a pretty bad scandal as DiMera Pharmaceuticals distributed medicine contaminated with arsenic that poisoned people and then lied about it.
Alex tells Kelsey that they are going to pick up Joy from the hospital. Alex bets Joy is even more excited than she is.
Joy talks to Kayla about how attentive Alex has been. Kayla states that Alex is a good guy and that Stephanie is very lucky to have such a wonderful husband. Joy hopes that Stephanie isn’t too upset that she and Kelsey are going to be staying with him in his apartment. Kayla responds that Stephanie is willing to adjust for Kelsey’s well being and she understands that this is only for the time being, so she hopes Joy understands that too. Joy says she understands it’s temporary but feels bad that it’s an inconvenience. Kayla is sure Alex doesn’t see it that way as he wants what is best for his daughter. Joy says she doesn’t want to be in the wheelchair. Kayla knows it’s been very frustrating but the most important thing is giving her daughter lots of love like she’s been doing all along. Joy agrees and says that’s what she and Alex will continue to give her forever.
Johnny asks if Stephanie’s look means it’s worse than he thought. Stephanie says she won’t sugarcoat that it’s going to be an uphill battle and even though he’s doing the right thing and making the ethical choice, he will need to be prepared for a very public account of what EJ has been doing, how much he knew, and why Johnny stayed silent for as long as he did. Stephanie warns that he will face backlash, judgment, and scrutiny, but she’s built her career navigating crisis like this. Stephanie says she might not be able to salvage the DiMera name, but she’ll do everything in her power to make sure Johnny comes through this unscathed with his head held high. Johnny isn’t sure that’s possible but says at least his conscience will be clear. Stephanie respects what he’s doing but states that this is a corporation going after one of the most respected doctors in Salem to cover up one of it’s crimes, so it will be a PR disaster. Stephanie asks if this is why Theo quit. Johnny confirms that it is and says he has to make this as right as possible for Holly, the citizens of Smith Island, and all the people whose lives this company gambled with for profit. Stephanie responds that he won’t be keeping that profit for long as he’ll be looking at a massive hit with fines and legal fees. Stephanie adds that even with every defense they can amount, she’s not sure DiMera can survive the fallout. Johnny says he understands, but he still has to do this to take responsibility for the harm that DiMera has done and all the suffering it has caused, no matter the cost. Steve then arrives and says he’s sorry to interrupt, but he has some questions and thinks Johnny might have the answers.
Belle tells Chad that Leo got arrested after being found with a stack of fake Gabi Chic handbags and was charged with possession of counterfeit merchandise. Chad is shocked and says that was for a story. Chad starts to make a call but Belle informs him that Gabi had his back and got the charges dropped as she explained they were trying to get to whoever is behind the scam. Chad knows they think it’s EJ. Chad remembers Gabi calling him to ask for help when they were on their way to Italy, but he didn’t think they had time. Belle says now she’s asking Chad for help on a new angle. Belle compares it to Watergate taking Nixon down and suggests making Leo the star of all of EJ’s men by giving him all the resources to shove EJ in the public’s face as the guy who scammed and poisoned you and thinks he can get away with it because he’s got a ton of money. Belle questions why Chad isn’t saying anything. Chad stands up and acknowledges that Belle is asking him to take down his own brother.
Kayla hopes Joy knows that if Alex is unavailable, she and Steve are happy to pitch in. Joy thanks her but says she’s sure Alex will be there whenever they need him. Alex then arrives with Kelsey and greets them. Alex asks if Joy is ready to go. Joy says he has no idea.
Steve says if this is a bad time, he can come back. Johnny says that he and Stephanie were just wrapping up. Stephanie says she’ll draw up strategy plans and get back to him. Stephanie tells Johnny to call her if anything changes. Johnny thanks her as she exits. Steve tells Johnny that it was a righteous thing he did to give the police information on EJ. Johnny is surprised he knows about that. Steve says he has his sources. Steve adds that they also brought in George and EJ for questioning but didn’t have enough evidence to hold them. Johnny feels at least now they know to look in the right direction. Steve repeats that Johnny did the right thing but warns that now, he has to watch his back. Johnny questions why. Steve tells him to open his eyes to the fact that EJ is going to come after him and make him suffer for this. Johnny argues that EJ won’t hurt his own son. Steve doesn’t like talking about his dad like this to him, but says he has to face the truth that there is real evil in this world and EJ DiMera is on the wrong side of it. Steve argues that EJ doesn’t feel mercy, guilt, or remorse and even to his own flesh and blood, he can’t be trusted as he has no conscience. Steve warns that when EJ finds out he’s been betrayed, he won’t give a rat’s ass that Johnny is his son, so he has to keep his guard up. Steve reminds Johnny that EJ is dangerous in ways he can’t predict. Johnny declares that he will deal with whatever happens, but he knows he cannot let EJ continue to do what he’s doing to Sarah or the countless other people he’s hurt.
Belle asks if Chad is saying he’s not going to use the newspaper to get EJ. Chad responds that he doesn’t run his paper at the behest of the district attorney’s office. Belle gets why this is hard for him but argues that Holly almost died because of what EJ did and they don’t have any idea how many other people were poisoned by the medicine that EJ’s company produced. Belle asks if Chad is really going to let EJ get away with that. Chad states that ever since finding out he was a DiMera, he has watched his family do serious damage to peoples’ lives and most of the time, he looked the other way but not anymore. Chad then declares that he’s in.
Kayla tells Alex that Joy will be doing in-home physical therapy and strength training. Kayla adds that if they have any questions, they know where to find her any time. Joy thinks they have it from here. Kayla wishes them luck and repeats that she and Steve are happy to help out with Kelsey so it’s not all on Alex’s shoulders. Alex thanks Kayla as she exits. Joy remarks that Kayla acts like it’s a burden for Alex to have to care for his own daughter. Alex assures that Kelsey could never be a burden to him and for now, he knows this is what’s best for her and that’s all that matters.
Belle thanks Chad, repeating that she knows how hard this is for him. Chad states that what EJ has done is wrong and he needs to be stopped, but he doesn’t want Belle to get her hopes up because Leo has chased down lead after lead, so he doesn’t think this time will be any different but Belle thinks it could be. Belle feels EJ is more vulnerable now than she’s ever seen him as she really sensed it while Jada was questioning him at the police station. Belle says that after Jada told EJ that Johnny betrayed him, he was gutted. Belle adds that EJ just lost Titan after being bested by Xander and Philip, then he just found out about Dominic Marino but she stops. Chad then asks what about Dominic Marino.
Steve tells Johnny that they are swimming in murky waters and if they are going to prove that EJ set Sarah up to be sued, they will need a strategy, but he first needs Johnny’s help with something else. Steve informs him that Rachel is in the hospital with appendicitis. Steve says the surgery went fine, but she’s still not out of the woods. Johnny comments on Rachel being through so much. Steve says it’s rough and Brady is worried sick because the only thing Rachel wants is her mom, but he can’t find her. Steve says that Brady suspects Kristen left town because EJ was threatening her and now she’s too afraid to come back. Steve notes that isn’t the kind of thing that EJ would admit, except maybe to Johnny since he confides in him. Steve asks if Johnny has any idea how EJ forced Kristen out of town and where she went, questioning if he can help them find Rachel’s mom.
In Paducha, Kentucky, Kristen is standing outside of Kay’s Diner with her tablet, zooming in on a photo of the waitress inside.
Belle tells Chad that EJ is just really rattled by Dominic Marino’s imminent arrival in Salem which Chad questions. Belle explains that Dante told Sydney that Dominic is coming to Salem, but they don’t know when. Chad says it can’t be soon enough for him. Belle wants to be clear who Dominic really is and what his agenda is because the not knowing is making her crazy. Chad acknowledges that she has a lot on her plate and she can always lean on him.
Alex and Joy put Kelsey down at home. Joy comments on it being the first time in a long time she has more than a quick visit with her. Joy says she’s so happy to be there. Alex suggests she get some rest but Joy says she’s too happy to sleep as she’s finally out of the hospital and looking forward to her new normal life. Alex encourages that she’ll be out of the wheelchair in no time. Joy praises Alex for being such a great dad for Kelsey and letting her move in. Alex responds that he’s just trying to do what’s best for his daughter and says that Joy is welcome to stay until she finds her own place. Alex then goes to grab the rest of Joy’s bags from the car. Joy then imagines coming home married with Alex. Joy then tells Kelsey that it’s not quite the way she imagined, but what matters is the three of them are there together.
Alex calls Stephanie and leaves a message, saying he just wanted to say he loves her and misses her. Stephanie then walks up and says she loves and misses him too as they kiss.
Johnny wishes he could tell Steve where Kristen is, but all he can tell him is what EJ told him when she left. Johnny informs him that EJ told him that he planned to send Kristen to one of the private islands but she escaped before he could kidnap her and that’s why she skipped town. Johnny says as far as he knows, no one has heard from Kristen since but he knows EJ has been going nuts trying to find her. Steve questions what score he’s trying to settle and why EJ would come after Kristen in the first place. Johnny responds that according to EJ, it was because Sophia tried to kill him and Kristen put her up to it.
Kristen looks in through the window of Kay’s Diner at the waitress inside.
Chad tells Belle that they will go grab lunch and then stop at the gift shop for Rachel, adding that he will get Belle a giant teddy bear as they kiss.
Alex returns Stephanie’s earring to her, which she says she was looking all over for. Stephanie asks where Kelsey is. Alex says he just put her down for a nap. Stephanie says she knows he wouldn’t leave her alone, so she guesses Joy is inside. Alex confirms he was just going to get the rest of her things. Stephanie asks if Joy has moved in then. Alex insists it’s temporary until they can find a place for her and Kelsey, assuring that he’s looking. Alex adds that the silver lining is now Joy is watching Kelsey, so he can kiss Stephanie. Alex tells her that he loves her and misses her already. Stephanie says the same as he walks away. Kelsey wakes up crying while Joy is struggling with the wheelchair and Stephanie hears the crying from the hallway. Stephanie knocks on the door, asking Joy if everything is okay but there’s no response. Joy then gets out of her wheelchair to go check on Kelsey. Stephanie then decides to open the door.
Steve goes over that according to EJ, Kristen was responsible for trying to have Johnny killed but questions what she could have against him. Johnny says not a thing and that it was wanting to get back at EJ because she blamed him for her not being there for Rachel because she was in prison, so Kristen wanted EJ to know what it was like to lose a child. Steve calls that pretty extreme even for Kristen. Johnny says that’s why he hasn’t said anything about it until now and he’s still not totally sure he believes EJ. Steve asks if EJ has any proof. Johnny says not that he thinks would hold up in court or take to the police and they both know Kristen won’t admit to trying to have him killed. Steve says it’s too bad they can’t ask Sophia.
Kristen goes in to Kay’s Diner where the waitress is revealed to be Sophia Choi wearing a wig and using the name Amelia, who is shocked to see Kristen.
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