Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap, February 18, 2026: Theo and Jada give it another go

On Days of our Lives today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Brady gets Rachel’s hopes up, Gwen and Xander are thorns in EJ’s side, and Gabi holds back from Philip.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Kristen, Rachel, and Brady on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

In Kristen’s hotel room, Brady stopped by to wish Rachel a Happy Valentine’s Day. Rachel happily gifted her dad with two valentines: one from her…and one from Kristen. With a strained smile, Brady complimented the handmade cards. Brady came with his own gift, in the form of a key to his new place. When he told Rachel her mom would be staying in Tate’s room, Rachel squealed with delight.

Brady quickly put the kibosh on Rachel’s belief that her dad and her mom were getting back together. He explained that Kristen’s stay would be temporary and that she would find a place of her own soon. Brady laid out in no uncertain terms that nothing would be happening between Rachel’s parents and looked to Kristen for affirmation. Kristen begrudgingly concurred.

After Kristen sent Rachel off to get ready for bed, she and Brady resumed sniping at each other. Brady presented Kristen with a custody agreement to sign (with the inclusion that she move out after one month). Kristen tried to put off signing the papers, but relented when Brady stressed that signed papers were a must before she moved in the next day. Kristen made a sarcastic crack about the lipstick on Brady’s collar and its origin.

Rachel interrupted the tense moment to wish Brady goodbye, as he had declined her request to join the “sleepover” with her mom and her. Once Brady left, Rachel asked Kristen if she could live with them “forever.” Kristen replied, “We’ll see.”

EJ and Cat break bread, while Xander and Gwen break bed

Cat and EJ on Days of our Lives. \Image: Peacock

Upstairs at the DiMera mansion, Xander and Gwen basked in the afterglow…until Gwen instructed her bedmate to leave. Their tryst had been meaningless “frothy fun” and nothing more because she knew Xander was still in love with someone else. Xander acknowledged he had initially tried to better himself in hopes of winning Sarah back, but insisted again that things had changed for him. He assured Gwen that when he was with her, she was the only person on his mind. He decided to show her with his actions and wrapped her in another passionate embrace.

Downstairs, EJ and Cat sat down for their business dinner. The topic soon turned to the duo’s shared time in Italy. Both claimed they had not remembered anything since learning of the connection. Cat suggested jogging their memories by reading another passage from Wuthering Heights. EJ retrieved the book, and Cat began reading lines from the book that she had previously recited to EJ.

The latest fashions

Xander and Gwen on Days of our Lives. \Image: Peacock

Before EJ could recall more, though, Cat and he were startled by a loud crash from upstairs. A grinning Xander and Gwen, both clad in robes, ran downstairs and jokingly apologized for breaking their bed. EJ reacted with disgust, and Cat with amusement. After needling EJ about his Valentine’s Day business date, Gwen and her houseguest returned upstairs to resume their activities.

Once he was alone with Cat again, EJ groused about Gwen infesting his mansion with the man who had stolen his company and had tried to steal the hospital from him as well. Cat subtly questioned why EJ had been so interested in acquiring the hospital. He told her about the Versavix drug and said he wanted “100 percent transparency” between them. He also politely turned down Cat’s suggestion that they resume reading the novel.

EJ hadn’t wanted to dwell anymore on the past, at least for the night. He fretted about Stefano’s upcoming will reading. EJ had a lingering suspicion his father – even from the grave – would find a way to cause friction with his siblings.

Back upstairs, Xander accepted Gwen’s invitation to stay the night. They decided to move rooms and vowed to find another bed to break.

Gabi's secret looms large

Philip and Gabi on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

In Miami, Gabi gushed about her dinner and a moonlight swim with Philip. They’d had a minor hiccup after Philip had experienced a close encounter with a jellyfish. When Gabi moved in for a kiss, she noted with horror that Philip had a sting from the creature on his neck. Philip promised her he was fine, but Gabi insisted he let her take care of him, beginning with a shower. Philip agreed, on the condition that Gabi join him for the shower.

Later, Gabi rubbed Philip’s back with lotion in a tub. Philip more than enjoyed Gabi’s therapeutic methods. Following tub time, they briefly talked business. Philip bemoaned Titan’s ongoing crisis as Gabi guiltily listened to his grievances. She vaguely talked about her mother always encouraging her to admit when she had done something wrong, and the reference confused Philip. She distracted him with a kiss; during their lovemaking, however, guilt remained written on Gabi’s face.

The Carver men woo their ladies

Paulina, Abe, and Theo on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

In Horton Town Square, Theo met up with Paulina and Abe before his date with Jada. The couple expressed their happiness that Theo seemed to be getting his life back together. While Abe worried something was different with his son, Paulina assured him it was only lingering after-effects of Theo's ordeal.

Later, Abe and Paulina went for dinner at The Bistro. Paulina counted all the recent blessings in their lives, including Theo’s recovery, Chanel’s pregnancy, and Eli and Lani’s imminent return home. Abe agreed their family had a lot for which to be grateful. Roman dropped by to pick up takeout for Kate, who had to work.

Paulina listed off all of the thoughtful gestures Roman had routinely done for Kate. Abe argued he could be just as romantic. With a suggestive smile, Paulina told him he could begin when they returned home for the night. “Check, please,” Abe declared.

At the Brady Pub, Theo and Jada enjoyed their own Valentine’s dinner. Jada got Theo’s reassurance that being back at the pub wasn't triggering for him. She again apologized for failing to save him during their prior date. He said she had nothing to be sorry about, and she pledged she wouldn’t be letting him out of her sight the whole night. While Theo was more than okay with that pledge, he grew distracted when Jada brought up a future trivia night with Philip and Gabi.

Jada mentioned that Philip had whisked Gabi away for a romantic weekend in Miami, which prompted Theo to think back on his fantasy kiss with Gabi. Jada also asked Theo about his breakup with Claire. He admitted that he hadn’t really believed it would be possible to move on until he had met Jada. He showered her with compliments, and she returned the sentiment. Both agreed they would like another date.

Later, outside the pub, Jada and Theo remarked on how well their second date had gone. Theo wanted the night to have a better ending, too, and pulled Jada in for a kiss.

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