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What happened on Days of our Lives on Friday, December 26, 2025, when Victor gave Maggie a gift, Sarah and Brady grew closer, Chad reunited with his kids, and the Horton family hung their ornaments on the tree.
What happened on Days of our Lives
At the hospital, JJ hugged Chad. “As soon as I heard that you were rescued and that Theo was in the hospital, I hopped on the first flight,” JJ said. JJ confirmed that Thomas and Charlotte were driving down with Jack and Jennifer. “There was a moment when I didn’t think I would ever get to see them again, so I just can’t wait to hold them in my arms,” Chad said. JJ mentioned that he had visited Theo in his room, and it had reminded him of the shooting.
“Theo pulled through once, and he’s gonna pull through again,” Chad said. JJ agreed. When JJ noted that his decision to rejoin the force had hurt his friendship with Theo, Chad argued that JJ had not done that to hurt Theo. JJ admitted that he had known deep down that the decision would have upset Theo.
“You worked it out once. You’ll do it again,” Chad said. “I just hope I get the chance,” JJ said. JJ started to explain why Jack and Jennifer had taken the kids back to Boston, but Chad said he understood it had been for the kids’ protection. “But just so you know, I will never let anyone take my children away from me,” Chad said. JJ said he understood.
Eli and Lani were walking through the square, and Lani wished for a Christmas miracle for Theo. Lani and Eli agreed that watching the twins grow up had been the best times of their lives. “Have I told you just what an amazing man and husband you are?” Lani said. Lani told Eli that she appreciated his help in locating Chad and Theo. Eli gave most of the credit to Rafe and his partner and the DiMeras. Eli maneuvered Lani under the mistletoe and kissed her.
Sarah returned home to the Kiriakis mansion after her shift, and she asked Maggie to go with her and Victoria to see the tree in the square. Maggie noted that she had some things to do, and she agreed to meet up with Sarah at the Horton house. Sarah asked Maggie about the paper she was reading. Maggie explained that it was a manuscript for a book by Bonnie. Maggie asked about Theo, and Sarah noted that Theo was still unconscious.
“And thank god Kristen is improving and that none of the other kidnap victims were harmed,” Sarah said. Maggie agreed. After talking about Chad’s return and the custody case, Sarah noted that she was relieved that she did not have to deal with a custody case with Xander. “And that he’s behaving himself over the holidays,” Sarah added. “He’s been surprisingly mature,” Maggie agreed. Sarah said she was pleased that Xander was doing the right thing for Victoria.
After Sarah left for the square, Xander stopped by with a large present. “Sarah is not here,” Maggie said. “I waited for her to leave before I came in,” Xander admitted. Xander handed the package to Maggie, and he wished her a Merry Christmas. “You’re trying to butter me up, but it won’t work. I tolerate you for the sake of the company,” Maggie said. Xander asked Maggie to open the gift, and if she did not want it, she could give it back. Maggie unwrapped the box, and inside was a new portrait of Victor.
“I don’t know what to say,” Maggie whispered. “It’s the least I could do after I destroyed the other one,” Xander said. Xander admitted he had been so angry that he had attacked Victor’s portrait since he could not take his anger out on Victor directly. “And all I did was hurt you. I took away something that brought you comfort,” Xander said. “Yes it did. But I have to admit, the loss was less so after I found out the truth about Konstantin,” Maggie said. Xander noted that the new portrait had no connection to Konstantin.
“So I hope all it does is remind you of my father,” Xander said. With tears in her eyes, Maggie thanked Xander. “I miss him so much,” Maggie. “I hate to admit it, but so do I, despite everything that happened between us,” Xander said. Maggie took Xander’s hand. “He might have been terrible about showing it, but I hope you know that Victor loved you very much,” Maggie said.
In the square, Sara and Victoria ran into Brady. “I thought you’d be at Julie’s already,” Brady said. Sarah explained that she had wanted to show Victoria the tree first. Sarah asked about Rachel. Brady explained that Rachel was baking cookies with Marlena while he was picking up Rachel’s favorite foods. “It’s by far the best Christmas present I could have gotten,” Brady said. Sarah said Kristen was doing well, but she was worried about her recovery in prison. Brady informed Sarah that Kristen had decided to recant her testimony at Rachel’s urging.
“Rachel has decided to tell the truth,” Brady said. Brady said he was proud of Rachel’s bravery. “She loves her mom,” Sarah said. “Who also did something pretty brave and selfless,” Brady said. Sarah agreed, and she noted that being a parent could change people for the better. “I’m witnessing that first hand with Xander right now,” Sarah said. Sarah told Brady that Xander had kept his distance as promised. Brady was surprised.
“Honestly, I didn’t think that he had it in him either,” Sarah said. “It’s really fun having such complicated feelings about our exes,” Brady joked. Sarah said she had made peace with the end of the marriage, and she was relieved there was no custody fight. “And the other thing that’s been making it easier is you,” Sarah said. Brady told Sarah that their friendship meant a lot to him too. Brady kissed Sarah under the misteltoe.
In the Horton living room, Jeremy helped Julie set up for the Christmas party. Hope called Julie from Hawaii to wish her a Merry Christmas. After the phone call, Thomas and Charlotte arrived with Jack and Jennifer. “Where’s dad?” Thomas asked. Julie assured them he would arrive soon. As Thomas and Charlotte nibbled cookies, Chad arrived with JJ. “Daddy!” Charlotte yelled as she ran into her father’s arms. “Dad,” Thomas whispered. “Hey, buddy,” Chad said. Thomas ran into Chad’s arms. Chad kissed his kids and told them that he loved them.
As the party carried on Jeremy and JJ talked in the corner about helping Jack and Jennifer and Chad work out their differences. Jeremy challenged Thomas and Charlotte to a Mario Kart tournament. As they ran out of the room, JJ suggested that Julie join them. Julie caught the hint, and she left with JJ. Alone in the room with Chad, Jennifer said, “I’m sorry that we didn’t get them here to greet you when you got home.” Chad assured Jennifer that he understood why Jack and Jennifer had taken the kids out of town.
“I just want to say thank you for taking such good care of my babies while I was going through all of this,” Chad said. “We really were so worried about you,” Jennifer said. Jack noted that Thomas had cried himself to sleep every night because he had been worried he would never see Chad again.
“Seeing how upset Thomas and Charlotte were when they heard what happened to you, well, it made us think that maybe we’re going about this whole custody situation all wrong,” Jack said. With a nod, Chad countered, “You’re trying to take my kids away, so I’m not sure there’s much of a middle ground.” Jennifer suggested they go to mediation. “There is going to be no world where I’m okay with any outcome where my kids are not with me, where they belong,” Chad said.
Eli and Lani returned from checking on the twins upstairs, and Jeremy and JJ were close behind. Jeremy confirmed that the kids were still playing the game with Julie in the other room. Chad left to join the kids.
Lani took JJ aside, and she asked him why he had been quiet at the hospital. JJ noted that the last time Theo had fought for his life had been the shooting. Lani reminded JJ that she had shot an innocent man in the line of duty too. “That is something that you, you never get over it,” Lani said. Lani told JJ to reach out to her if he needed to talk. Across the room, Eli thanked Jeremy for taking care of Julie. Lucas walked in and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
When everyone reunited in the living room, Maggie arrived. Julie noted that Shawn would join the party after work. Julie added that she was pleased to celebrate Chad’s return. “To Chad,” Jennifer said. The room raised their glasses.
When Sarah arrived with Victoria, Julie announced it was time to hang the ornaments. “Eli and Lani reminded me that in the bleakest of times, we need our traditions most,” Julie said. Julie noted that the people on the ornaments were the tradition. “And the divine spark that makes us family. That’s what we celebrate. Not just at Christmas, but all the days of our lives,” Julie said.
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Chad, Thomas, and Charlotte hung their ornaments and Abigail’s first. Jack, Jennifer, and JJ went next. The rest of the family took turns hanging the ornaments for loved ones, past and present. At the Kiriakis mansion, Xander hung Victor’s portrait above the fireplace. In the Horton living room, Sarah left Xander’s ornament off the tree. “We are forgetting one very special tradition. We gotta sing,” Eli said. Julie grinned. “Doug would be so pleased you remembered,” Julie said. Thomas lead the room in singing “Silent Night.”
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