Days of our Lives Recap, June 9, 2026: Stephanie takes a shot at Joy

On the Tuesday, June 9, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, EJ told Gwen about Xander’s affair, Alex gave Joy a key, Javi told Leo that Gus was staying, and a jetlagged Stephanie fired her gun.

Making plans on Days of our Lives

Leo chats with Joy about Kelsey in the pub | Image: Peacock

Leo ran into Joy and baby Kelsey at the pub, and they caught up. As Joy resumed her search for Kelsey’s missing stuffed animal, Leo greeted Gwen. Gwen assured Leo that she had an advantage over EJ and was safe. Leo was skeptical, and he pressed Gwen for details. Gwen told Leo of her plan to buy the hospital. When Leo asked Gwen if she knew how to run a hospital, she pointed out that the Brady and the Horton families would run it for her.

“But the hospital that Tom Horton ran all those years would put you in a new light with Jack’s family,” Leo guessed. Gwen noted that it would be one benefit to her plan. Gwen argued that she cared more about the hospital than EJ. Suspicious, Leo asked Gwen about the downside. Gwen told Leo that Dimitri had been sending her threatening texts about his kidnapping. Leo noted that if Gwen was innocent, she had nothing to worry about.

Settlements and scores to settle

EJ makes Gabi an offer in the square | Image: Peacock

In the square, EJ attempted to offer a settlement to Gabi, but she declined. As Gabi walked away, she noticed Kristen slip a hotel key card into Xander’s pocket as she cuddled up close to him. When Gabi glanced back at EJ, she saw that he had noticed Kristen with Xander as well.

Kristen walked into the Salem Inn, followed by Xander. Incensed, Gabi wondered aloud if Gwen knew that Xander was cheating. EJ pointed out that Gwen and Xander were not exclusive, but Gabi countered that Kristen had crossed a line because she was friends with Gwen. EJ encouraged Gabi to snitch on Kristen, but Gabi refused. Gabi explained it was a bad idea to mess up her working relationship with Xander.

After Gabi picked up a coffee, she ran into Javi in the square as he was walking with Trey. Javi explained that he was babysitting. Javi admitted that spending time with Trey had reminded him of Leo, but that he wanted to move on with Gus. Gabi and Javi agreed that Gus was an improvement on Leo.

Across the square, Gwen asked EJ why they were no longer allies. Gwen reminded EJ that he had broken their profit sharing deal. Gwen told EJ that Dimitri was still threatening her about the kidnapping. She warned EJ that he would be implicated if Dimitri was successful. EJ blamed Gwen for their situation because she had released Dimitri, but Gwen countered that EJ’s problems with the hospital were because of Stephanie’s kidnapping. Across the square, Gabi noticed EJ arguing with Gwen.

EJ told Gwen that she was clueless about most things, including Xander. EJ told Gwen about Xander’s affair with Kristen. “You’re lying,” Gwen said. EJ grinned, and he told Gwen to visit them in the Salem Inn. Gwen marched into the hotel. EJ walked over to Gabi after Javi left, and Gabi asked him if he had told Gwen about Kristen. “It may have slipped out,” EJ said. EJ invited Gabi to move back into the mansion, and he offered to help her forget about Philip. Gabi rolled her eyes and walked away.

A state of affairs

Xander is horrified when he hears Gwen's voice while he is in bed with Kristen | Image: Peacock

In the Salem Inn, Kristen pushed Xander onto the bed, but he complained about his elbow pain. Xander argued that he did not want to make his injury worse and be unable to hold his daughter. Kristen told Xander that he could keep his shirt on, and she would handle the rest.

After Kristen finished, Kristen told Xander that she understood that he was eager to recover for his daughter. Xander told Kristen that he regretted that he had kidnapped Rachel, because it had been an unforgivable act. Xander said that after he had been separated from Victoria, he understood how painful it must have been for Kristen to have been separated from Rachel in prison.

“And now I lost my daughter to Bayview,” Kristen whispered. Kristen noted that Rachel was struggling, and she was unable to remove Rachel because she shared custody with Brady. Kristen blamed EJ for Rachel’s problems. Xander noted that if someone wanted to hurt his daughter, he would want them dead, just like Kristen. As Kristen and Xander shared a knowing look, Gwen banged on the door.

When Kristen opened the door and greeted Gwen, Xander was seated at the table. “Hey, Gwen,” Xander said. Kristen explained that she and Xander were having a private business meeting since there was a lot of tension between Titan and DiMera. Xander asked Gwen how she had learned about the meeting. Gwen said EJ had told her that they were sleeping together. Kristen laughed and noted it was typical of EJ to tell a lie to antagonize Xander. “I feel so embarrassed,” Gwen said. Kristen took Gwen aside and she hinted that she had reserved the room for the afternoon to meet with her mystery man after her business meeting.

After Gwen left, Xander said he was relieved their story had worked because it would be a disaster for Gwen and Sarah to know the truth. Kristen agreed that she could not risk the loss of one of the only two friendships she had in town. Once again, Kristen blamed everything on EJ.

Surprise!

Joy needed to find her phone | Image: Peacock

Alex returned home after a run and was surprised to see Stephanie was waiting for him. Stephanie told Alex about the wedding. As Alex and Stephanie started to make love on their couch, Joy knocked on the door. Joy explained that she was looking for Kelsey’s stuffed animal. Stephanie spotted the elephant and she gave it to Joy.

Alex suggested they give a key to Joy and Stephanie agreed. Joy promised not to use the key unless no one answered the phone or the door first. After Joy left, Alex attempted to resume making out, but Stephanie announced that she needed to sleep after her long plane ride. Stephanie asked about Alex’s playdate with Kelsey. Alex said the visit went well. Stephanie agreed to have a playdate with Kelsey too.

Joy returned to the pub, and she realized she had dropped her phone when she had gotten out of her car. Leo offered to watch Kelsey while Joy retraced her steps. After Joy left, Javi walked in with Trey. Leo introduced Javi to Kelsey. Javi told Trey that he was eager for him to meet Gus. Javi explained that Gus had been hired by the fire department, and he was no longer returning to Texas.

Stephanie was asleep on the couch when Joy knocked on the door. When no one answered, Joy used her key. A groggy and panicky Stephanie grabbed her gun from the desk drawer and fired it at the front door as Joy entered.

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