Today’s Days of Our Lives recap for December 25, 2023, details the morning after for Holly, Leo’s blackmail, Stefan’s request, and Paulina’s health problems.
Sloan Is Still Delusional
Sloan (Jessica Serfaty) and Eric (Gre Vaughan) planned for Jude’s future as Sloan marveled at their marvelous Christmas with Nicole’s (Arianne Zucker) stolen baby. However, Sloan was as delusional as she was a week ago, still justifying leaving a baby alone in a town square as she chastised Nicole for taking her own child.
Eric soon took the baby on a drive to calm him, giving Leo (Greg Rikaart) the perfect opening to show up and taunt Sloan some more. She wasn’t happy with his odor but Leo had an excuse — he was homeless now and couldn’t get a shower slot at the shelter for another few days.
However, he didn’t plan to be homeless for long. He wanted a lot of cash fast. That way he could find himself a place to live and would be willing to keep his mouth shut about the baby she stole. Sloan claimed relative poverty but Leo didn’t buy it and demanded an indefinite room at the Salem Inn.
Holly (Ashley Puzemis) woke with a hangover relieved that she didn’t send Johnny (Carson Boatman) any of her drunken texts. But, she freaked out when she realized she’d called him. When Nicole found her, she was surprised to see she’d slept in her clothing.
When Holly explained she had a migraine, Nicole could smell the booze on her daughter. Holly insisted it was the first time she’d ever done that, but she was bored and lonely, as well as sad. Holly tried to tell her about Johnny, but couldn’t bring herself to confess her crush.
Instead, Nicole offered to take her out for some fresh air. While they were out, Holly owned up to the truth — she had a crush on Johnny and drunk-dialed him the night before. Holly was sure she was in love with Johnny, but Nicole pointed out that Johnny was much too old for her and that her feelings were just infatuation.
Just then Eric came along with the baby and quickly wished Holly a happy birthday. Nicole felt uncomfortable being around Eric and once again apologized for taking the baby. Eric was ready to let that incident go and offered to treat Holly to a greasy breakfast to nurse her hangover.
Holly was enthralled with the baby and even got to hold him, not realizing this was the little brother she thought she lost. When Sloan and Leo came upon the scene, they kept their distance as Sloan seethed.
Stefan And Ava’s Troubles
Back at the DiMera mansion, Stefan (Brandon Barash) took the opportunity to spar with his brother and ask him for help. He explained that Gabi’s been hurt while behind bars and that Clyde Weston (James Read) was behind it. That piqued EJ’s (Daniel Feuerriegel) curiosity, so Stefan spilled the whole sordid tale of working with Ava on Clyde’s orders to run drugs through the Salem Bistro.
He wanted Stefan to use some DiMera enforcement to get Clyde off their back. Stefan basically laughed in his face and turned him down.
Ava (Tamara Braun) started her Christmas with a nightmare that Harris (Steve Burton) found out exactly what she’d been up to at the Bistro and was at her place to arrest her. At least it was just a dream until Harris turned up for real.
He wasn’t there to arrest her and instead wanted to give her a gift — a beautiful necklace she felt uncomfortable accepting. Harris was still contrite after what happened with Stephanie so Ava allowed him to put the necklace on her.
Harris asked Ava to stop pushing him away, making him an irresistible caring and honest guy, but Ava wouldn’t budge and a forlorn Harris left.
Paulina’s Health
Paulina (Jackee Harry) remained a nervous wreck in a hospital exam room waiting to be seen by a doctor. Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) finally came by and was concerned when she heard that Paulina had a lump in her neck that kept getting bigger.
Kayla wasn’t sure what to say when Paulina wanted to cut to the chase — did Kayla think she had cancer? Kayla eventually explained that Paulina had a nodule on her thyroid that was likely benign, but she did have the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Paulina would need to see a specialist, but first, there were Christmas things to attend to. Kayla had to don her Santa suit and Paulina volunteered to read the Christmas story to the kids.
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