Days of Our Lives Recap September 3: Joy Calls Melinda as Brady Learns About Sarah and Xander

Xander and Victoria Share a Sweet Father-Daughter Moment

At Horton Square, Xander talks with Victoria about her upcoming birthday and makes sure they have enough presents for her special day. He sweetly tells her that having him as her father is the greatest present of all.

Xander and Victoria later continue exploring Horton Square before settling down together. They spot a nearby keyboard, and Xander encourages Victoria to give it a try. He is completely surprised when she starts playing a tune, revealing a talent he never knew she had.

Sarah Moves In With Brady

Sarah lets Brady know that she and Victoria are now completely moved in. However, she makes it clear that their living arrangements are only temporary. Brady reassures Sarah that she and Victoria are welcome to stay for as long as they need. He wants them to know they have a place with him while they figure things out.

Later, Sarah gets a call from Maggie and learns that Holly was recently held up at knifepoint. Thankfully, Lani intervened and stopped the mugging. Sarah can't help but wonder if Holly's attack was actually intended as a warning from EJ, particularly after everything Arianna overheard.

Brady thinks Sarah might be reading too much into it, but he understands why EJ continues to occupy her thoughts. He reminds her that EJ will eventually face the consequences of his actions and tells her she shouldn't allow him to “live rent-free in her head.”

Philip Confronts Joy About Her Secret

At the hospital, Alex brings Kelsey to visit Joy, who is dealing with an ear infection. Joy is grateful that Alex brought their daughter to see her and clearly enjoys having them there. Philip soon arrives to check on Joy, and when Alex leaves with Kelsey, Joy is disappointed.

Philip, however, is pleased that Alex is gone because he believes Joy has some explaining to do. He tells Joy that Chloe wasn't even aware she was scheduled to have spinal surgery tomorrow. Joy immediately asks whether he told anyone else, but Philip assures her that he respected her wishes and kept her secret.

Joy explains that she deliberately hasn't told her family because she knows they would become overbearing. She believes having everyone around her, constantly checking on her and trying to take control, would make her recovery much more difficult. Philip agrees not to expose her secret, but he insists that Joy should at least contact her family herself and let them know about the surgery.

Joy refuses. She argues that once her family knows, they will become completely obsessive and won't give her the space she needs. She doesn't want everyone hovering over her or trying to dictate how she should recover.

Philip Puts the Pieces Together

Philip realizes Joy may be keeping her family away because she wants Alex nearby to help care for both her and Kelsey. Joy becomes defensive and complains about how much pain she's experiencing and how awful everything has become. Philip points out that those circumstances are exactly why she should have her family there to support her. Joy has had enough. She orders Philip out and tells him not to return.

Joy Escapes Into a Fantasy

While watching a 1950s sitcom on television, Joy becomes captivated by the happy, picture-perfect world unfolding onscreen. The cheerful images trigger a fantasy, and Joy suddenly finds herself imagining her own life in black and white. She begins comparing the reality she is living with the idealized life she wishes she could have.

Steve Encourages Alex to Accept Help

Steve encounters Stephanie in the hospital lobby. Their conversation is interrupted when Alex arrives with Kelsey, causing Stephanie to quickly slip away. Steve and Alex chat about babies and Kelsey's ear infection before Steve offers to babysit so Alex can return to his evening with Stephanie. Alex politely turns him down.

Although he appreciates Steve's willingness to help, Alex feels uncomfortable handing off his sick daughter so he can spend time with Stephanie. Steve encourages him to reconsider, insisting that accepting help doesn't make him a bad father. Stephanie happens to walk by again, and Alex takes the opportunity to ask if she still wants to continue their evening together.

Alex and Stephanie Enjoy a Romantic Picnic

Alex and Stephanie head to the park, where Alex surprises her by pulling out everything needed for a picnic. Stephanie is touched by the thoughtful gesture, and the two share some kisses as they settle into their romantic evening.

Their conversation eventually turns back to the father-daughter dance. Alex admits that he was concerned talking about it might have made Stephanie uncomfortable. Stephanie assures him that she understands. She knows having a child completely changes someone's life, but she also believes fatherhood has brought out some wonderful qualities in Alex.

The two share another kiss, and Alex promises that he will continue trying to convince Joy to allow Stephanie to become part of Kelsey's life. Stephanie appreciates his determination but isn't convinced Joy will change her mind. She expects Joy to become even more stubborn, but Alex still refuses to give up. He believes there has to be some kind of solution because he can't continue being forced to choose between his wife and his daughter.

Brady Learns About Sarah and Xander's Near-Kiss

Philip meets Brady at the Brady Pub and fills him in on Joy's situation. Brady says he'll head over to the hospital to check on her himself. Before Philip leaves, the men discuss the upcoming father-daughter dance and all of the people who will be attending.

The subject eventually turns to Xander. Brady knows that he and Sarah are finished, but Philip isn't convinced that their relationship is completely over. Brady immediately wants to know what makes Philip think that.

Philip explains that he heard about the unexpected time Xander and Sarah spent together in the wine cellar, including the fact that the former husband and wife came dangerously close to kissing. Brady is caught off guard by the revelation. Philip admits that he can't say for certain whether they were actually going to kiss, but he felt Brady deserved to know what happened.

Joy Makes a Choice

Joy later receives a call from Justin concerning the custody paperwork. After the conversation ends, Joy begins imagining how different everything would be if she were Mrs. Kiriakis. In her mind, she and Alex would already be a family and wouldn't need lawyers or custody documents to define their lives.

Reality, however, is far from that fantasy. Joy reaches for the phone and makes a decision: Joy calls Melinda Trask! Whatever Joy has in mind, she's clearly preparing to take matters into her own hands.

All Roads Lead to the Daddy-Daughter Dance

Alex and Stephanie happen to walk through Horton Square and are impressed by Victoria's musical ability. Xander brings up the upcoming father-daughter dance and points out that Alex will soon be taking part in one with Kelsey. Sarah arrives at Horton Square, and Victoria immediately runs over to her mother.

Victoria then returns to the keyboard and asks the woman there to play “All I Want.” She proceeds to sing the entire song while Xander and Sarah watch proudly, becoming emotional as they take in their daughter's incredible talent. Victoria eventually grabs both of her parents' hands and leads them off to get ready for the father-daughter dance.

SIDE NOTE: That little baby can REALLY sing! Major kudos to whoever found this young lady!