Days of our Lives recap for Thursday, February 20, 2025: Brady finally rescues Ava

Jada opened the door to find Rafe standing there. He walked into Stephanie's living room and professed his undying love for Jada. Rafe apologized for everything and got down on one knee to propose again. Then, Jada woke up and realized it was just a dream.

After Jada made her coffee, Steve arrived and mentioned he was working on a missing person's case with Brady. Jada was surprised to learn that Ava Vitali was missing. Jada's detective skills kicked in as she wondered where Ava could be. She suggested that Steve take the voicemail recording to the Salem PD to enhance it, but Steve was on the case and already had the ISA do it.

Steve also offered Jada comfort and support. Jada thanked him and said how grateful she was for Stephanie and Kayla. Steve told Jada that she was family and they all believed in her. "We won't rest until your name is cleared," Steve said.

Leo and Javi woke up next to each other after they stayed in on Valentine's night and watched football. Leo might not have been a football fan, but he definitely wanted to watch another game. When Javi went to check which team won, he found a story about Jada's corruption in the Spectator.

That made Javi feel he should have told Jada the truth about "Rafe" and the stripper. "She's made out to be this horrible person when Rafe is the one who cheated on her," Javi pointed out. Leo didn't see the point in telling Jada now. It's like kicking her when she's down. They're not getting married any time soon," Leo pointed out.

Javi was just tired of everyone making Jada out to be the villain. He also thought that knowing the truth would help Jada get over Rafe. "Jada deserves so much better," Javi said.

Later, Javi ran into Jada in Horton Square. Javi told Jada that he had been thinking about her non-stop. Jada mentioned that she had given his mother's ring back to Rafe, but that's not what Javi wanted to talk about. After Jada lamented that she was still in love with Rafe and even dreamed of him, Javi knew what he had to do.

He sat Jada down at a table and prepared to drop a bomb. "I hope that you don't waste any more of your tears on my cousin...especially because Rafe cheated on you," Javi told a devastated Jada.

Kristen was alarmed when Brady came storming into the DiMera living room, telling her there was a problem with Rachel Black. CPS had been to visit him and knew all about every incident with Rachel and her parents over the last few years. They wanted to talk to Kristen next and Brady feared she could be placed in foster care.

"We have to make sure that nothing else goes wrong with Rachel. Nothing. No more running away. No more forging. No more blackmail. And that goes for all of us," Brady said.

Kristen knew there was no way she could ever let anyone know that her daughter basically kidnapped Ava. She offered for Brady to spend some time with Rachel that morning, but he told her that he had to meet Steve cause he may have had info on Ava's whereabouts.

Rachel Blake brought Ava breakfast but warned her not to scream when she ungagged her. Ava screamed at the top of her lungs anyway, which the real Rafe heard from his attic prison. Rachel sat down with Ava and tried to feed her food, but Ava didn't want it. "Now I see where Kristen gets it," Ava said, noting how crazy this Woman in White seemed.

Rachel Blake was later kind enough to bring the real Rafe breakfast. "Look who's finally awake. I thought I was going to have to give you a good shake," she said. Rafe assumed she worked for EJ, but Rachel claimed she didn't work for anyone. She only had him there to ensure her daughter and granddaughter could be happy. Rafe found himself more confused than ever.

Rafe asked more questions, but Rachel Blake was tired of it. "Maybe you can shut your mouth. Your life is literally in my hands," she said. Rafe mentioned he heard a woman's voice earlier. "Oh her, well, she definitely won't be coming to rescue you," Rachel added.

As Rafe continued to wonder who this woman was, Brady and Steve met up in Steve's apartment. Steve played the recording that the ISA enhanced and they were finally able to make out the address Ava gave Brady. He recognized it as Aremid and told Steve they had to get there immediately.

Steve and Brady rushed to Kristen's old family summer home. Brady was surprised yet not surprised when he saw Ava sitting in the wheelchair, bound and gagged. Brady quickly removed the gag from Ava's mouth and told her that her ordeal was over.

EJ and Belle woke up together after a fun night in bed. Belle told EJ that he kept her up talking in his sleep. He even confessed to setting up Jada. EJ claimed he did no such thing because he didn't talk in his sleep. "You can ask any woman I ever slept with. Ask Samantha," EJ suggested, referring to Belle's sister, Sami.

Belle decided to let the topic go for now, but she knew EJ was up to something. EJ managed to change the subject and convince Belle to have sex again. Afterward, EJ pretended to talk in his sleep and confessed to setting up Jada, which only caused Belle to laugh.

EJ then brought up his growing feelings for Belle. He knew their relationship was complicated but he was enjoying it. "Maybe this will blow up in a spectacular fashion one day. We know the odds. But I just want to let you know that I care about you. This isn't just a casual fling for me. It's a genuine affection that I feel for you. And I sincerely mean that," he said.

After Belle left, EJ handed Kristen an envelope that had just arrived. EJ wanted to discuss the Ava and Rafe situation. "Your mother can't babysit them forever," EJ pointed out. Kristen agreed and told EJ all about CPS breathing down her neck. She needed to keep her wayward child safe but knew that they had to do something about what was going on at Aremid.

Kristen opened the envelope and removed a vial of serum. She told EJ that it was meant for DiMera Enterprises, but she could use it for something else. Kristen was convinced that this vial could solve all of their problems.

Next on Days of our Lives

Rafe tries to escape again.

Jada spends more time with Shawn.

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