Days of our Lives Recap June 12: Joy Blackmails Alex for Stephanie's Freedom

Days of our Lives was full or romance and hysterics on Friday, June 12, 2026. Cat kissed EJ, Shawn and Jada go for it, Thomas approves of Belle, and Joy agrees not to press charges if Stephanie stays out of Kelsey’s life.

Rules and Royals

EJ and Cat enjoyed baseball on an invisible TV | Image: JPI

When Cat stopped by the DiMera mansion to obtain EJ’s signature on some documents, he told Cat about Chanel’s diagnosis. Cat recommended EJ give his drug to Chanel, but he adamantly said no. EJ stressed that he wanted to follow the law and that he planned to submit it to the FDA for testing. EJ added that it was a bad idea to test an experimental drug on a pregnant woman when she already had an effective treatment she could pursue.

When Cat looked deflated, EJ said he was sorry that he could not give the drug to her mother. EJ told Cat that Dr. Rolf did not believe that Cat’s mother was a good candidate for the drug regardless. As Cat shook off her tears, she announced that she needed to leave to watch the baseball game. EJ invited Cat to stay and watch the game with him.

While they watched the game, Cat admitted she was a Royals fan because her family had lived in Kansas Cityi. EJ noted that must have been where Cat had encountered Clyde. Cat said she did not know. When Cat apologized for not remembering more, EJ said he had decided that it was more important to make new memories with Cat, so Cat kissed EJ.

Truth and Consequences

Kayla and Steve comforted Stephanie | Image: JPI

At the police station, Belle and Jada discussed the case against Stephanie for the shooting. Belle noted the situation had been an accident with mitigating circumstances and she did not believe that Stephanie was a danger to the public. Belle announced that she would not file charges unless Joy filed a complaint against Stephanie.

After Steve and Kayla’s plane from China landed, they went to Alex and Stephanie’s apartment to check on their daughter. Stephanie was still asleep. Steve asked if charges were pending from the DA. Alex said there was no decision yet, but he had retained Justin just in case. While Alex went out to talk to Joy, Steve and Kayla stayed behind to keep watch on Stephanie.

In the bedroom, Stephanie tossed and turned in her sleep as she dreamed that she shot and killed Joy. Stephanie woke up screaming. Kayla and Stever rushed in to comfort Stephanie, and they assured Stephanie that she had not killed Joy. Stephanie admitted that she had gone against Steve’s advice to keep her gun in the safe.

“I let you down!” Stephanie said as she wept. Steve and Kayla hugged their daughter and let her cry. After Stephanie calmed, Kayla asked her about the sleeping pills she had taken. Stephanie admitted that she had taken a sleeping pill on the plane and another when she had returned home. Kayla noted that Stephanie’s confusion when she had woken up was likely because she had taken a high dose. Stephanie told Steve that Jada had confiscated her gun as evidence in the case. Steve asked Stephanie why the gun had not been in the safe, and Stephanie admitted that she had wanted easy access to it in case of an intruder. Stephanie admitted she had been reckless.

“Looks like you learned your lesson the hardest way possible,” Steve said. When Steve advised Stephanie to lock up the gun when it was returned, Stephanie said she did not want it because she did not trust herself with it. Relieved, Steve said he wished he had realized sooner that Stephanie was not in any condition to have a weapon in her home. Kayla argued that Stephanie was still dealing with severe PTSD, but Stephanie countered that it did not excuse her behavior. Stephanie told Kayla that she had made an appointment with Marlena to reckon with her feelings of helplessness and shame.

Alex met up with Joy at the pub and apologized to her again. Alex asked Joy if she intended to file a complaint against Stephanie. “Damn right I am,” Joy said. Alex told Joy that she had every reason to be upset, but he reminded Joy that Stephanie had genuinely thought Joy had been an intruder. Upset, Joy accused Alex of checking on her only to ensure that Stephanie would not suffer any consequences for her actions.

“Your wife belongs in jail. Where she can never hurt me or my daughter again,” Joy said. Alex stressed that Stephanie was dealing with PTSD. Joy argued that it did not matter if Stephanie wanted to be a stepmother, because she would never let her near Kelsey again. Alex reminded Joy that it was impractical to keep Stephanie away because she was his wife. Joy told Alex that he was welcome to spend time with Kelsey without Stephanie. Alex asked Joy to reconsider because the gun was no longer in the house. Joy argued that the main issue was that Stephanie was not a stable person and she needed to prioritize Kelsey's safety. Joy agreed not to file charges if Alex agreed to keep Stephanie out of Kelsey’s life. Alex reluctantly agreed to the deal.

When Alex returned home, he announced that Joy had agreed not to press charges. The group left the apartment to get air in the square. While Steve and Kayla went to the ice cream shop, Kayla assured Steve that he had only been thinking about protecting his daughter, and she encouraged him to move on. Across the square, Stephanie saw Joy, and she offered to apologize and thank her for not pressing charges. Alex warned Stephanie to steer clear of Joy.

New Beginnings

Shawn and Jada spotted Belle and Chad on the TV | Image: JPI

In the square, Chad sat in the cafe with Thomas and Charlotte and waited for Belle to meet them to go to Chicago for a Cubs game. Thomas asked Chad if Belle was joining them as a date. Chad admitted that Belle was his date for the game. Thomas approved. When Belle arrived, Chad told her about Thomas’ approval. After their drive to Chicago, Chad, Belle, and the kids stopped at a park so that Charlotte could recover from being carsick. Belle entertained Thomas, while Charlotte sipped a ginger ale to feel better.

Jada met up with Shawn at Small Bar to watch the baseball game. Shawn and Jada both admitted that they wished their relationship had worked out differently, and that they would miss one another when Shawn moved out. Shawn noted that there were still rules against fraternization, but Jada noted there was a loophole because Shawn did not report to her directly.

“Pursue a relationship but just disclose it,” Shawn said. Jada and Shawn agreed they were both interested, and they kissed. When Shawn and Jada looked back at the game, they saw Chad and Belle on the kiss cam. With a grin, Shawn and Jada kissed again.

Is Joy right not to want Stephanie around Kelsey? Do you think Cat is developing real feelings for EJ? Let us know in the comments.