Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap, March 9: EJ leaves Paulina with a life-changing decision

Here is your Days of our Lives recap for Monday, March 9, 2026, when Javi contacts Leo, Gwen makes Melinda an offer she can refuse, Theo and Gabi bond, and Abe is unaware that his life could soon implode.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Leo received a call from Javi | Image: Peacock

In Alamainia, Dimitri echoed Leo’s complaints about being unable to sleep. Dimitri had spent all his time worrying about Leo’s brush with death. When he left the room for a shower, Leo received an unexpected call from Javi. After getting an update about Javi’s father, who was on the road to recovery, Leo pensively asked why Javi had called, given Javi’s repeated demands for “space.”

Javi admitted that his time in the hospital waiting room had been consumed with thoughts of Leo. Javi’s father had even picked up on his son’s distress and had advised Javi not to give up on love. Once Javi signaled that he was ready to reconcile, a relieved and happy Leo stressed how much he had missed his ex. Javi had been uncertain if Leo would wait for him, but Leo pledged that he had remained true.

Javi then asked about Leo’s trip abroad. Leo panicked and lied that he had traveled to Eastern Europe to confirm if Stefan DiMera might still be alive. He made no mention of Dimitri but did state he was with an unnamed “source.” Dimitri soon took a sledgehammer to Leo’s carefully constructed story, though, when he strolled out of the bathroom and loudly quizzed Leo about the location of his phone. Despite Leo’s best efforts to cover up his lies, Javi realized Leo was with Dimitri and angrily hung up.

Leo bemoaned losing his last chance with Javi. Dimitri offered a half-hearted apology before pondering if Leo was finally ready to let Javi go. Leo mused that if he really loved Javi, he should set him free, for Javi’s own sake.

Melinda argued with Gwen | Image: Peacock

At the DiMera mansion, Gwen summoned Melinda for a business proposal. She presented Melinda with the option of ditching Dimitri as a client and taking on Gwen’s case in the divorce proceedings instead. Melinda wondered why Gwen thought she would switch sides. Gwen cited the attorney’s love of money, as evidenced by her purchase of Julie’s necklace from Gwen. She argued that when Dimitri went to prison, she would receive his entire fortune.

Gwen’s previous partner in taking down Dimitri had ghosted her, so Melinda could be the beneficiary of Gwen’s goodwill. Melinda doubted the legality of Gwen’s maneuvers and further doubted she could actually bring down Dimitri. A miffed Gwen warned Melinda that she would be making a mistake and an enemy if she declined the offer. Melinda reasoned she’d rather have Gwen as an enemy than Dimitri and said she’d take her chances with the status quo before walking out.

Theo and Gab shared drinks | Image: Peacock

In Horton Town Square, Gabi ran into Theo on an evening stroll. Gabi complimented Theo on his “cute convertible.” Theo, in turn, blurted out a compliment on Gabi’s looks and then awkwardly apologized. She took the compliment in stride and decided to join Theo for a drink. As the two sat down at an outside table, they talked about the pros and cons of working at DiMera, the creativity of Gabi’s job (during which she relayed a humorous story of a model taking a face-plant during her latest fashion show), a rematch during trivia night, and Abe’s continued concern for Theo’s safety.

During a discussion of their differing tastes in drinks, Theo admitted that he craved routine, in contrast to Gabi’s penchant for living in the moment. Theo thought his personality made him boring, but Gabi assured him he was a creative and interesting guy. She believed that she and Theo had more in common than he thought. Theo said he needed to get home, and the duo wished each other a warm goodbye.

After she spotted Melinda, Gabi took the opportunity to bend the attorney’s ear about Stefan. She filled Melinda in on the uncertainty surrounding Stefan’s divorce papers. Gabi suggested she might have a claim on Stefan’s inheritance if she were indeed his widow. Melinda cautioned Gabi against getting entangled with the DiMeras again. Gabi stressed it wasn’t about money for her but about honoring Stefan’s legacy.

Without viable proof of a forgery, Gabi didn’t have a case, Melinda claimed. Gabi thanked her for the advice. Later, Gabi got a call from Javi. He apologized to his cousin for not heeding her warnings about Leo, and she apologized for not telling him about Leo’s getaway with Dimitri. Javi declared that he and Leo were done for good.

Abe and Roman caught up | Image: Peacock

At the Brady Pub, Roman updated Abe about Stephanie’s case. Abe had come to pick up food for Paulina, which prompted him to reminisce about Lexie’s favorite foods. He marveled at the differences between his deceased wife and his current wife. But despite those differences, Abe loved both women fiercely.

Abe opened up to Roman about how he and Theo had gone through family albums and home videos a few days prior. Abe had been especially moved while watching Lexie’s final video to him and Theo. While Paulina had “healed” him, he confided that Lexie still had a large piece of his heart.

EJ, Paulina, and Lexie on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

In EJ’s secret lab, Paulina gasped in shock after EJ opened the pod to reveal Lexie. Once she had collected herself, Paulina asked if Lexie was alive. “In a manner of speaking,” EJ responded. He then told Paulina the story of Lexie’s resurrection.

Stefano had been “beside himself” after Lexie had died. He had blamed himself for her condition and had devised a plan to rectify the situation. But Lexie’s case was more challenging because, unlike the returns of so many DiMeras before her, Lexie had a terminal and incurable condition: an inoperable brain tumor. Since no means of treatment had existed at the time, Stefano had Lexie’s body frozen in the hopes that the future would bring a “breakthrough.”

That “breakthrough” had finally arrived in the form of the Versavix drug, combined with Dr. Rolf’s genius. EJ had taken over the care of his sister once Stefano had become “indisposed.” He deemed the recent developments “beautiful, life-affirming," and miraculous. “Beautiful and life-affirming, my ass,” Paulina retorted. “More like macabre and ghoulish,” she added.

EJ argued the merits of his miracle drug, not just for Lexie but for humanity. An aghast Paulina called EJ out on his likely intention to sell the drug on the black market. EJ contended that Paulina was a businesswoman and should understand his complex motivations. Paulina pressed EJ on what would happen if Lexie came back “unlike herself.” As mayor, Paulina considered it her duty and obligation to shut the entire operation down.

EJ challenged Paulina’s motives. She knew that the return of Abe’s beloved late wife would turn Paulina’s life upside-down. Was Paulina willing to deprive Abe of the love of his life and Theo of his “sainted mother” for some moral high ground...or for selfish gain? She had a choice: expose him and shatter her family again, or walk away and pretend their encounter had never happened.

While Paulina insisted she would come clean, she seemed torn as she left. EJ’s hand with the phoenix ring began trembling, and he forcefully stilled it. He promised Lexie that Paulina would make the right decision.

Later, EJ returned to the DiMera mansion, where he found Gwen waiting for him. He impatiently listened to her rambling about Dimitri before snapping that he’d heard enough. He informed Gwen of the developments with Paulina and again tried to reassure himself that Paulina would stay mum.

When Gwen questioned what would happen if Paulina “pulled the plug,” EJ reminded her they had “other subjects” in various locations on whom they could try the treatment. Whatever the outcome with Lexie, their work must go on, EJ affirmed.

Paulina returned home to Abe | Image: Peacock

At Abe and Paulina’s place, Paulina entered the home and forced a smile when she saw Abe and Theo. Abe immediately surmised that something was troubling his wife. Paulina said she’d had a run-in with EJ. Theo bowed out of the conversation to avoid the conflict between both sides of his family.