Days of Our Lives Update
Update written by Joseph
Joy stands up in her room and locks the door as she wishes Kelsey a happy Halloween and talks about how she hated being apart from her and having to pretend to need the wheelchair to keep Alex’s attention on them instead of Stephanie, but it was all part of the plan so it was worth it. Joy declares that soon, Kelsey will have both her parents under the same roof.
Stephanie goes home to Alex and tells him that Steve is doing fine and already back at work which Alex says is great. Alex then informs Stephanie that Steve wasn’t the only one who was hurt last night and reveals that Xander got shot.
Johnny enters the hallway of DiMera Enterprises which are taped off as a crime scene and declares it never should’ve come to this.
EJ is at home at the DiMera Mansion, on the phone, saying they need to get George’s laptop and he doesn’t care how. EJ then rushes out of the mansion.
Cat meets Steve at Basic Black and is surprised he wanted to meet after what happened but she’s glad he’s okay. Steve asks what he can do for her. Cat says that Rafe is at the FBI offices in Chicago while Steve said she should come to him if she ever needs his help, so here she is.
Gwen is sitting in the town square with her tablet, doing a crossword when she gets a news alert about Xander being shot. Leo comes by and confirms it, so Gwen angrily questions him not even thinking to tell her.
Alex informs Stephanie that Xander is in critical condition. She says she’s so sorry and asks if there’s anything they can do. Alex says just pray for him. Stephanie asks how Alex is doing. Alex feels lucky to have his wife where she belongs and his daughter happy and safe in his family home. Alex then tells Stephanie he has something else to tell her about Joy.
Joy tells Kelsey that she has to get back in the wheelchair before Tate gets there and if it seems like she’s flirting with him, it’s only so Stephanie stops thinking she’s after her man. Joy assures that she only has eyes for Alex.
Cat tells Steve that she’s been trying to take down EJ for the ISA while Steve has been trying to clear Sarah’s name, so she thought it was time they compare notes. Steve responds that after everything that went down last night, it seems EJ might have made a fatal misstep.
EJ goes to DiMera Enterprises and finds Johnny in the hall. EJ states that George is dead and Xander is in critical condition, all on DiMera property, calling it quite the mess which Johnny says was of EJ’s own making. EJ remarks that it was Johnny’s too. EJ thinks it’s time they have a long overdue chat.
Gwen questions Leo not telling her about Xander getting shot. Leo apologizes and says he meant to. Gwen asks if he thought she wouldn’t care when she almost married Xander. Gwen says she knows things went sour but she still cares about him very much. Leo admits it was insensitive of him not to prioritize telling her. Gwen says it’s okay as she knows he cares. Leo recalls trying to seduce Xander when he first moved to Salem, then they moved past all that and became friends. Gwen asks if they know if Xander is going to make it. Leo says he was with Javi when they brought him in and Sarah was giving him CPR. Leo adds that Xander made it through surgery, so Gwen decides he will be okay then as he cares too much about life and himself to go die.
Tate goes to see Joy at the Kiriakis Mansion. Joy tells him that her feeling has come and gone but it’s moving in the right direction. Joy credits Tate working with her and says even after she gets better, she wants to keep getting stronger for Kelsey. Tate encourages Joy and they decide to get started.
Alex informs Stephanie that Joy realized she was starting to get feelings back in her legs as they were leaving the hospital, so they hung around awhile and the doctors were optimistic that it means the swelling is going down and that Joy should be back on her feet soon. Stephanie calls it amazing and says she’s so happy for Joy and Kelsey and for them. They hug as Stephanie remains looking confused.
Steve tells Cat that EJ was at George’s house and had every reason to want to take him out. Steve guesses Cat doesn’t want to believe that EJ has that in him. Cat disagrees and says everything she’s heard about him says that he does. Steve adds that he always will because EJ never changes. Steve warns that EJ being down and out and desperate makes him more dangerous than ever. Steve acknowledges that he’s not Cat’s boss, but he’s a fellow traveler who has had his bad experiences with the DiMeras, so he advises Cat to never give EJ the benefit of the doubt or she might not live to regret it.
EJ takes Johnny in to the DiMera Enterprises office and tells him to stand there and listen because this is the last time he’s going to waste breath trying to warn him about the gravity of the life he was born in to. EJ tells Johnny that he raised him and put the world in his hands because he believed he could carry it. EJ argues that he gave Johnny a company that men twice his age would burn kingdoms for and gave him a seat at the table where decisions were made and the DiMera name meant more than scandals, headlines, and ghosts. EJ complains that Johnny took that and turned it in to the police like a lost wallet he found in the street. EJ declares that Johnny didn’t just betray him, but he threw away a legacy that men have killed for and tossed aside a future that he crawled back from death to reclaim. EJ remarks that Johnny squandered his chance to matter in this world. EJ adds that Johnny thinks he did something noble, but he’s not serious and mistakes impulse for morality, guilt for conscience, and betrayal for integrity. EJ declares that he is irrevocably disappointed in Johnny because he tossed away the one thing that really matters in life, a chance to shape his own destiny before someone else shapes it for him. EJ tells Johnny that when he looks at him now, he doesn’t see a leader or an heir, but a child who ran to the police because he couldn’t stomach the weight of his own name. EJ tells Johnny to run to his righteousness and hide behind his confession, convincing himself that he did something so brave. EJ proclaims that he releases and forsakes Johnny. EJ adds that when the dust finally settles and the world stops applauding his moral theater, he will learn what every DiMera eventually learns; power inherited must be earned, weakness is not forgotten, and a father’s disappointment is forever.
Stephanie tells Alex that’s such great news, but admits she’s pretty surprised. Alex says he’s not since doctors said Joy would get feeling back in her legs sooner than later. Stephanie figured it would be much later. Stephanie says she wasn’t going to tell him this, but she asked Kayla to do a stealth reflex test to prove Joy was faking all along and she was going to do it last night but she got called away when Steve got injured. Stephanie admits that she was sure Joy was faking it, but guesses she was wrong.
Tate tells Joy that it’s awesome that her overall strength is improving and thinks she can go up in weight in her next session. Joy shows Tate that she can move her toes which he excitedly says is awesome.
Steve warns Cat that she walked in to a cage with a lion and he doesn’t want her to get mauled. Cat appreciates his concern but says she knows what she was walking in to. Steve questions if she does. Steve talks about knowing Stefano and he was a vicious son of a bitch. Steve adds that EJ is not far off and warns that if he finds out what Cat’s been up to, he will come after her with guns blazing. Steve tells Cat to walk away from this case. Cat thinks he’s being a little hypocritical by asking her to walk away from the case while he’s sitting there, the morning after he was attacked. Cat doesn’t buy that Steve Johnson would ever stand down because he lost his nerve. Steve admits that she got him there. Cat responds that she made her decision that she’s going to see this through.
Johnny tells EJ that he’s right that he has listened all his life when EJ said nothing is more important than legacy and power was the only shield worth raising. Johnny says he listened when EJ said the world is divided between those who win and those who become collateral damage. Johnny states that he believed him because he loved him and every son wants to believe their father earned the pedestal they stand on. Johnny then tells EJ that he’s wrong about him as he didn’t go to the police because he’s weak, but because for the first time in his life, he finally understands what real strength is and it’s not what EJ does by burying the truth. Johnny argues that real strength is looking at the people he loves like Chanel and his kids, realizing he would burn down the DiMera Mansion rather than let them live in the shadow that EJ calls destiny. Johnny says EJ thinks he’s throwing away a life that matters but he’s refusing to sentence his children to one because he doesn’t want Trey and Olivia growing up thinking fear is respect or that leadership is cruelty or believing that a family name is more important than the family itself. Johnny adds that he doesn’t want Chanel staying awake at night, wondering what version of EJ he’s going to become. Johnny remarks that he’s carried EJ’s disappointment his entire life, every time he chose passion over ambition or hesitated before crossing a line. Johnny says maybe he’s not EJ’s heir and never was, but he is a good husband, a good father, and a good man who refuses to let the DiMera curse determine the fate of his children. Johnny states that if breaking that chain makes him weak, he’ll be weak and if telling the truth is foolish, then he’s a fool. Johnny adds that if choosing his family over EJ’s empire means he loses everything he gave to him, he’ll survive because real love is stronger than fear. Johnny declares that the life he’s building with Chanel and the kids is stronger than the one EJ offered him. Johnny says that EJ’s disappointment may last forever, but so will his choice, and he chooses his family. Johnny tells EJ that he can call that whatever he wants, but for the first time in his life, he finally understands what it means to be a man.
Leo starts telling Gwen a story, which she finishes for him and says he’s told her that story many times before. Gwen asks Leo about seeing Javi at the hospital and how it’s going between them since she knows they’ve had a few coffee dates. Leo says it’s all so new that he doesn’t want to say anything to risk jinxing anything. Gwen argues that he’s trying so hard to hold it in. Leo then gives in that despite the horrible news of Xander’s shooting yesterday, he and Javi got back together. Gwen calls that fantastic and hugs Leo. Gwen cries that she’s so happy for him.
Alex understands why Stephanie would be suspicious and admits he had his doubts at times, but he knows that Joy loves Kelsey more than anything so he doesn’t believe she would deliberately do anything to be kept away from her. Stephanie agrees that Joy is a good mom and that Alex is a terrific dad. Alex calls her the most beautiful wife a guy could ever ask for as they kiss. Stephanie asks if they came up with anything for Kelsey’s first Halloween. Alex reveals the ladybug costume he got for Kelsey and says he will bring it over to them and then do a little trick or treating. Alex decides he should text Joy to let her know that he’s on the way. Alex wishes Stephanie could come with them and then asks what she’s going to do tonight. Stephanie says she’ll do something low key. Alex suggests before he leaves, he could give her a little treat as they kiss on the couch.
Cat informs Steve that George was at the DiMera Mansion with EJ the night before he was killed. Cat says she didn’t hear anything but there was absolutely tension. Cat then brings up Dominic’s birth certificate and how EJ and Rita had a falling out over it because EJ heard Marlena confronting Rita over it. Cat realizes Steve is aware of all of this but he tells her to go on. Cat adds that when EJ confronted Rita, she stonewalled him and took off. Steve says there’s a good chance that Rita knows more than she’s letting on and admits that her withholding information from EJ is huge. Steve asks Cat if she thinks EJ knows anything about Dominic. Cat assures that EJ was more rattled than she’s ever seen by the fact that he didn’t know anything and even asked her to deceive Marlena if she had to in order to get the birth certificate. Steve then reveals that there’s no need to go to Marlena because he’s the one who gave her the birth certificate. Steve agrees to give Cat a copy on the condition that she’s discrete about where she got it and that she tells him if she and EJ find out anything else. Cat says it’s understood, so Steve sends a copy of the birth certificate to her phone.
Johnny informs EJ that he’s having security send all surveillance footage from last night over to the police and asks if there’s any reason EJ wouldn’t want him to do that or if there’s anything George might have said to incriminate him. EJ says no, so Johnny guesses they are done here. EJ tells Johnny that he loves him, but states that Johnny has betrayed him in a manner that is unforgivable. EJ then declares that Johnny finally got what he wanted, as he’s out of his life for good this time. EJ then walks out of the office.
Tate encourages Joy that she’ll be moving her legs pretty soon too. Joy then gets a text that Alex just arrived for Kelsey’s first Halloween. Tate tells her they will have a blast. Tate checks his schedule and says he’s really booked, so he will reach out to her to schedule. Joy says she can’t thank him enough. Tate says it’s his pleasure. Joy then quickly hugs Tate right as Alex enters the room.
Stephanie goes to see Johnny at DiMera Enterprises. Johnny asks how Steve is. Stephanie says he’s good and already back at work. Johnny is glad to hear that and says he’s sorry about what happened. Stephanie tells him that what happened and what EJ did has nothing to do with him. Stephanie knows they are supposed to discuss the strategy regarding the Coriseal situation, but given what happened last night on DiMera property, they need to play catch up. Stephanie tells Johnny that they need to make a statement because it’s all over the news. Johnny says his phone has been going crazy. Stephanie knows how difficult this whole ordeal must be for him. Stephanie asks if he was close with George. Johnny says he wasn’t, but he hates that George is dead so he can’t be held accountable. Johnny argues that he should’ve never let Sarah and Xander come there as he put them in harm’s way and now Xander could die too.
Cat goes to the DiMera Mansion and asks EJ if he’s okay. EJ tells her that his son has betrayed him, his former right hand in George has died, and Rita has vanished and is now ghosting her. EJ doesn’t recall when he ever felt so alone. Cat encourages that he’s not alone as she’s there and she’s not going anywhere. Cat sits with EJ and says she knows a big part of his worry is Dominic’s arrival and his connection to his family, so she did what he asked and got a copy of the birth certificate. Cat claims she got it from Marlena and shows him the photo on her phone. Cat says she will call when she can to see what answers they can get and promises to get to the bottom of this. EJ thanks her and says he’s so grateful. EJ asks her to send him a copy which she does. Cat asks if there’s anything else she can do for him. EJ says no as he wants her to stay laser focused on this and make it her number one priority as they hug. EJ tells Cat that her being there for him means more than she knows. Cat then exits the room.
Gwen breaks down crying so Leo asks if she’s okay and says he didn’t mean to upset her. Gwen insists she’s crying because she’s so delighted for him. Gwen says she was the one who tried to separate Leo and Javi with Dimitri so it warms her heart that they’ve found each other again. Leo says they are taking baby steps but admits he’s a hopeless romantic. Leo declares that maybe in the end, it’s a sign that true love wins. Gwen then cries harder and admits she’s really sad because she’s tired of her relationships going around in a circle and asks when she will have her moment. Leo encourages that he’s certain she will. Gwen recalls thinking she would be so triumphant when she first came to Salem, but now she’s just alone and it turns out being rich didn’t solve any other problems. Leo tells her that she has him, so Gwen guesses they’re both really rich where it counts because he also has her. They embrace and say they love each other.
Tate tells Joy that he’ll see her soon and wishes a Happy Halloween to her and Alex as he exits. Alex asks Joy how her session went and says she and Tate seemed to be really hitting it off. Joy says that Tate’s amazing and informs Alex that she wiggled her toes. Joy tells him that she’s getting there and will be able to walk soon. Alex says to celebrate, they will have a lot of Halloween fun tonight. Alex shows her the ladybug costume which Joy calls perfect. Joy says the three of them going trick or treating and feeling optimistic about the future is like her prayers are finally being answered.
Stephanie encourages Johnny that Xander will pull through as he’s strong and getting the best care possible. Stephanie asks if he’s spoken to EJ today. Johnny confirms that EJ was there earlier and told him that what he did was unforgivable, called him a coward, and said he was out of his life for good. Stephanie tells Johnny that she’s sorry. Stephanie encourages that Johnny may no longer be a DiMera in EJ’s eyes but she’s always a Brady as she hugs him.
EJ gets a call from his contact, who informs him that the ISA have George’s laptop. EJ says he doesn’t know what’s on it as it could be nothing or it could be his death warrant. EJ then hangs up and screams in frustration.
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