Days of our Lives Recap, July 29: Lexie Celebrates Christmas With Her Family

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for July 29, 2026, Chanel struggled with motherhood as a cancer patient, Susan tried to drive the Stefano out of EJ, and Leo got a lead on Gwen’s location.

Sick Day

At Johnny and Chanel’s place, the couple observed that Trey appeared to be battling a cold. Johnny suggested he take Trey to the office with him, but Chanel shot the idea down. Johnny then brought up a babysitter, since Chanel had just undergone chemo and therefore had a vulnerable immune system. He contacted several people, including Leo, but everyone appeared to be busy. To Johnny’s relief, Javi showed up at their door for the save. Javi — happy to see his godson — bundled up Trey, interacted briefly with Chanel and Johnny (who were both very grateful), and then took Trey with him.

Once alone with Johnny, Chanel expressed her guilt for being unable to take care of her son and for her increasing sick spells. Johnny reassured and comforted his wife, reminding her they needed to be safe. To that end, he sanitized the room and changed all of Trey’s blankets. When Johnny suggested they make good use of their alone time and went in for a kiss, Chanel begged off because she was feeling nauseous again, which added to her guilt. Following another pep talk from Johnny about their bright future, Chanel chose to focus on that future with both their children. The couple shared a happier moment when the baby kicked.

Where In the World Is Gwen Rizczech?

In Horton Town Square, Leo tried to book a flight, although he couldn’t tell the travel agent where he wanted to go because he wasn’t sure. Leo mentioned his concussion and rambled a bit, which caused the travel agent to end the call.

Later, Leo went to the Hernandez home in hopes of getting Rafe’s help. Rafe invited his former housemate inside and impatiently listened as Leo started to ramble again. After Rafe told him to get to the point, Leo provided Rafe all the details on Gwen’s “dead man’s switch” against EJ.

Rafe gave his own update for Leo: Gwen’s hotel room had seemingly been vacated for days; she had not used any credit cards; most disturbing of all, Gwen’s phone had been found crushed on an airport runway. But only cargo planes had recently used the runway.

Leo was aghast that Gwen’s fortunes had fallen from first class to cargo and even more worried for his friend following Rafe’s disclosures. Javi arrived home with Trey in the midst of the conversation. As Javi and Leo exchanged awkward greetings, Rafe took his leave to question EJ. The exes talked briefly about “Tesoro,” and Leo vaguely explained he’d stopped by to discuss a “big news story” with Rafe. Skeptical, Javi challenged Leo on whether he’d really come over to see Javi.

Leo protested that he wasn’t a stalker…”at least not anymore.” To prove his point, he said his goodbyes to Javi and Trey just as Gus entered the room. After Leo’s departure, Gus tried to entertain Trey, which only led to a crying spell from the boy. Gus apologized and said he wasn’t great with babies, and the babies seemed to share the sentiment. The talk turned back to Leo.

Gus told Javi about his earlier run-in with Leo, minus the love declaration on Leo’s part. Javi seemed concerned when he found out Leo was trying to track down Gwen…and he appeared hurt that Leo hadn’t told him directly. Gus sarcastically asked if Javi expected a love letter from Leo. Javi again insisted he was over Leo and his drama, but Gus didn’t seem so sure.

Meanwhile, at the Salem Inn, Leo schmoozed an airport employee over the phone. He successfully secured intel about the specific flights that had taken off during the time of Gwen’s disappearance. Leo’s eyes widened when he read one of the destinations: Alamainia. He immediately texted Dimitri and inquired if his ex had seen Gwen.

Bad Mojo

At the DiMera mansion, EJ called Johnny with an update about the smooth procession of the loan against Titan. EJ’s pleased state didn’t last long when he received an unexpected visit from mom Susan, who immediately accused her son of making most of Salem tremble in fear. EJ took the claim as a compliment. Susan, however, chastised EJ for allowing Stefano’s darkness to take him over. EJ wasn’t his father, and he should remember he was the son of a “God-fearing” woman.

Determined to find the source of EJ’s darkness, Susan pulled off his Phoenix ring, to his chagrin. She announced she would cleanse the jewelry and rushed off to do so before EJ could mount a protest. EJ’s day got worse when Rafe next darkened his doorstep. Rafe wouldn’t take EJ’s brushoffs in stride and let himself inside, armed with questions about Gwen. EJ claimed no knowledge of Gwen’s whereabouts.

Susan came back on the scene, ring in hand and pleased as punch to see Rafe and bask in his flattery. In front of the FBI agent, Susan laid out strict instructions for keeping the Phoenix ring spiritually clean to an embarrassed EJ. Susan also scolded her son when he again tried to get rid of Rafe. She was unsurprised to learn Rafe had come to interrogate EJ about a legal matter, but Susan did play mama bear when Rafe insinuated EJ could have been responsible for Gwen’s disappearance.

Although Susan didn’t have one of her premonitions about Gwen’s location, she knew without any question that EJ had nothing to do with the woman’s vanishing act. Coming up empty, Rafe left, but not before issuing a warning to EJ that his downfall was imminent.

Last Christmas

At Abe’s place, Lexie received a call from Kristen confirming their plans for the switch. Lexie said she would be ready “on a moment’s notice” when the tracker alerted her to Kristen’s location. At that moment, Theo came into the room and questioned his mom about her statement after she ended the call. Lexie promptly came up with a story that she was talking to a rideshare driver about taking her to the airport for her visit with Celeste. When Abe joined the conversation, he confronted Lexie about where she was really going.

Abe had spoken with Celeste, who had no idea that Lexie planned to visit her. Thinking on her feet again, Lexie claimed the visit had been intended as a surprise for her mom. Abe apologized for spoiling the surprise, but Lexie assured him it was fine. She got emotional as she talked about her love for Abe and her pride for the son she had been blessed to meet as a kind and good man. Lexie sent Abe and Theo off to get their meal and, when they were gone, prayed she could last a few more days.

During their food run, Abe admitted to Theo that he still couldn’t understand why Lexie had declined his invitation to accompany her on the trip. Theo defended Lexie's choices and encouraged his dad to focus on their family time together. When father and son later returned home, they were shocked to see that Lexie — clad in a Santa hat — had transformed the room into a Christmas wonderland. Lexie happily explained she had wanted to make up for all of the Christmases she had missed. Abe and Theo readily got into the spirit.

Trending

Later, Lexie settled the family down on the couch so they could give thanks for all their blessings. Smiling through her tears, Lexie began by expressing gratitude for the “precious moments” she’d experienced with friends and family since her return. More than anything, Lexie announced as she clasped her family’s hands, she was thankful to “be alive in this moment.”

Will Lexie and Kristen’s best-laid plans go horribly awry? Can Leo still dodge a bullet on his second trip to Alamainia? Will EJ ever stop giving his mom the heebie-jeebies? Sound off in the comments.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback

Quick Links

More from SoapCentral