Days of Our Lives Weekly Recap 6-16

Just as Xander is about to smother Phillip with a pillow, Phillip suddenly opens his eyes!

Sarah stops Kayla as she’s packing up the manuscript to discuss EJ’s budget proposal. Sarah offers to pick up extra shifts. Kayla heads to Steve’s retirement party, and soon after, Kate arrives. She notices the cop who was supposed to be guarding Phillip is missing and rushes to his room, where she finds Phillip awake—with Xander standing nearby. Xander claims Phillip hasn’t said a word, but Phillip soon asks his mother what’s going on. Kate and Sarah quickly kick Xander out. Kate learns from the officer that he left his post due to illness—something she blames on Xander.

Phillip, still groggy, tells Sarah he’s surprised to see Xander and feels terrible, though he can’t remember much. Sarah informs Kate she’s ordering tests, then contacts Roman. Elsewhere, Jack and Jennifer celebrate his birthday. It’s bittersweet, as Abigail’s absence is deeply felt, but Jennifer reminds him Abigail would want him to celebrate his life.

Alex is anxious about attending Steve’s retirement party. He mentions being raised by Steve’s sister, Adrienne. Meanwhile, Steve has a vision of Adrienne in heaven, comforting him and referencing John. She vanishes, and Steve wakes up feeling unmotivated. When Kayla returns home, she coaxes him into going to the dinner. Jada learns about Phillip’s awakening and questions why Xander was at the hospital. He gives her a weak excuse.

At the Bistro, Stephanie, Alex, Jack, Jennifer, and Kayla honor Steve’s career and legacy. They reflect on how much time has passed, the losses they’ve endured, and share memories. Jada joins briefly before leaving on police business. Before heading back to Boston, Jennifer asks Steve to investigate her grandmother’s missing necklace. He agrees.

In the Horton Town Square, Jack and Jennifer promise to return to Salem more often. Kayla and Steve reminisce about their life and affirm they wouldn’t change a thing. At the hospital, Jada questions Phillip and believes he’s not being honest about his attacker.

Gabi apologizes to Javi and urges him to return. He accepts her apology but says he’s taken a job as a paramedic with the Salem Fire Department. She’s proud. Meanwhile, Leo and Chad chat about recent Salem happenings before heading to the Pub and running into Will. Leo and Will share a heartfelt conversation. Leo apologizes for how he treated Will and Sonny’s relationship. Will forgives him and thanks him for John’s obituary.

Aaron returns home for graduation and surprises Cat. After he leaves, Chad stops by to apologize for how Jennifer treated her. While he understands her concerns, he offers grace, knowing his own past mistakes. Tate picks up Sophia for graduation. The baby is active, and he feels the kicks. She’s worried they haven’t found adoptive parents, and Tate tries to comfort her.

n the Square, Holly and Ari catch up. Doug spots them and quickly leaves so they won’t see him. Ari tells Holly that Tate wants to get back together. When Sophia and Tate arrive, it’s revealed that Sophia and Ari know each other. Ari pulls Sophia aside and questions why she’s giving up the baby when she clearly likes Tate. Sophia explains that she only wants to be with Tate if he truly wants her, and she’s only 18—too young to raise a child for someone else.

As Tate and Holly return, Aaron surprises them. Holly steps away to call her mom, and Aaron confronts Tate about Sophia—shocked he’s having a baby with her. Tate, however, says he still wants to be with Holly. Later, Aaron joins Sophia. He admits he thought they might have had a future together.

Holly shares with Tate that she’s exploring schools in Europe. Tate only applied to one school—he had to recover his GPA after being falsely accused of drugging Holly. She empathizes, realizing he did it to protect her. He reassures her he would do it all again. They hug before he returns to Sophia.

At the Bistro, Will, Gabi, and Ari discuss sneaking out and boundaries. It seems they reach a compromise. Doug, meanwhile, obtains photos of Ari and Holly and goes to Leo for help. He explains how he got into this mess. Leo offers him $1,000. Later, Javi returns, and he and Leo enjoy a peaceful night while Doug ignores a call from Ari.

Bo and Hope savor their time together, reflecting on everything they’ve endured—raising their children, surviving heartbreak, and leaning on Hope’s grandparents, especially Alice. They renew their vows in private and plan to travel to visit their family—Ciara, Chelsea, Claire, and the grandkids. Bo and Hope are off for happy times!

Xander sees Sarah to discuss shared custody—but the conversation spirals. He warns her: they’ll have to do this the hard way.

EJ receives a Father’s Day message from Sydney and flashes back to Johnny pointing a gun at him. Johnny prepares for his new job and searches for his watch. Chanel tells him to check the gift box—forgetting that her Father’s Day gift is inside.

They agree they’ll celebrate another time. After she leaves, EJ visits. He tells Johnny he sees more of John Black in him than DiMera. Johnny, still hurt, disagrees. EJ claims he’s letting him go—not seeking forgiveness, just giving Johnny freedom. Johnny is unsure but shaken after losing Grandpa John.

Chanel runs into her mother at the hospital. Paulina claims she’s just there for a routine check-up. But when she meets with Sarah, it’s revealed she’s checking her chances of having another baby. The news isn’t ideal—she’s advised to wait, and it affects her. She’s relieved, however, that EJ is out of the picture. Back home, Johnny tells Chanel about EJ. He says he no longer wants to carry anger. Chanel isn’t thrilled.

Belle visits Phillip, urging him to tell the truth—she can’t bear to lose another person. Phillip doesn’t know John died. Belle opens up about her grief and what Phillip means to her. She’s certain he’s lying. He denies it again—later repeating the same to Sarah. Xander visits next, and they strike a deal: Phillip will keep quiet about the attack in exchange for his inheritance and stake in Titan.

Belle returns home to find Marlena distraught. Marlena admits she hasn’t been feeling well and is overwhelmed by grief. Belle shares her struggles with EJ. Marlena expresses her reservations but encourages Belle to follow her heart. After Belle leaves, Marlena gets dizzy and schedules an appointment with Sarah.

Belle meets with EJ and tells him she loves him. They kiss. Rafe and Jada discuss the memory card—they must find it to solve EJ’s shooting. At graduation, all the teens gather. Sophia experiences what she thinks may be labor pains. Aaron suspects Tate is nervous, given they haven’t found a family for the baby.

As Paulina and Abe prepare for the celebration, they see Chanel rushing by with the wedding cake for Paul and Andrew. She wishes them a happy anniversary and notes that Johnny might be warming up to EJ.

At the DiMera mansion, Brady waits to pick up Rachel when EJ enters. Brady accuses him of being blackmailed by Kristen. EJ appeals to his fatherly instincts to keep quiet—and it works. Rachel enters, not feeling well, and Brady rushes her to the hospital.

Later, Chanel visits EJ and warns him to stay away from Johnny. She blames him for Johnny’s fears about fatherhood. EJ counters that they’re bonded by blood. Chanel threatens him, saying blood is all he understands. EJ then calls Rita—he wants the memory stick.

After graduation, Holly tells Aaron she noticed Eric and Nicole sitting apart. He reassures her—just because they’re fighting doesn’t mean they’re over.

Marlena arrives for her appointment with Sarah and discusses her symptoms. Sarah agrees to run some tests. Marlena asks if she can help Sarah process her feelings about Xander. Soon, Brady and Rachel arrive. While Sarah examines Rachel, Marlena offers to stay with her so Brady doesn’t miss the graduation. Sophia and Tate walk in.

Rachel opens up a bit during the exam, but cuts it short, claiming she feels better. As Sophia goes with a nurse, Tate and Rachel head for drinks. Sarah reassures them it’s mostly emotional, and Marlena offers Rachel a girls’ night.

Sarah examines Sophia and learns the contractions were just Braxton Hicks. Sophia’s relieved—they have more time to find a family.

At the Bistro, Paulina and Abe celebrate their anniversary and convince Chanel to join them.

At Marlena’s, she and Rachel do a puzzle. As Rachel falls asleep, she mumbles, “Don’t shoot him”—which Marlena hears.