Days of our Lives Recap for Tuesday, December 24, 2025: Rafe is visited by an old friend

Steve taste-tested Kayla’s Christmas cookies until she reminded him that he needed to leave for his appointment. As Steve opened the door to leave, he greeted Stephanie. “Bye, Sweetness!” Steve said as he kissed his daughter’s cheek and walked down the hall. “Where was dad off to in such a hurry?” Stephanie asked. Kayla noted that Steve had to do some work for Black Patch. Stephanie explained she was there to drop off gifts.

“So how’ve you been?” Kayla asked. “It never ends,” Stephanie said. Kayla pushed Stephanie to open up to her, and Stephanie told her mom about Alex’s affair with a co-star. “And you’re upset by that?” Kayla asked. “Yeah. I guess I am,” Stephanie admitted. Kayla asked Stephanie if she and Alex were still apart after the on-set incident. Stephanie was mortified that her mother knew about her on-set sexual encounter with Alex. Kayla shrugged and noted that Seth Burns had a big mouth.

“I never should have gotten involved with a co-worker in the first place. I of all people should know that,” Stephanie said. “But still, I’m sure it stings to hear that Alex has moved on with somebody else so quickly,” Kayla said. Stephanie said yes. “I should get over myself. Especially since I’ve kind of done the same thing,” Stephanie confessed. Stephanie told Kayla that she and Philip had kissed after Philip had won half of Titan.

“And before you say that it was inappropriate, I was fine with it. In fact, I liked it actually,” Stephanie admitted. “Does that mean that you and Philip are getting back together again?” Kayla asked. Stephanie said no, but Kayla was not sure. “I just hope that you remember all the reasons that it didn’t work out with you two,” Kayla advised. “It was one kiss!” Stephanie countered. Kayla reminded Stephanie that the end of her relationship with Alex had been abrupt.

“Are you sure you’re ready to move on?” Kayla asked. “Well, I have to move on,” Stephanie said. Kayla argued that Stephanie did not need to move on with an ex that had hurt her in the past. “[Philip] almost got you killed [because of a family feud],” Kayla argued. “He didn’t mean for that to happen,” Stephanie countered. Kayla argued that Philip had not protected her before and now that he was back at the helm of the family business, it could affect Stephanie again. Stephanie promised her mother that she had learned her lesson.

“I don’t want to overstep,” Kayla said. “You’re not. And I don’t blame you for trying to advise me not to jump in too quickly with Philip. God knows I have made one mistake after another with my love life,” Stephanie said. Kayla noted that everyone made mistakes. Stephanie disagreed, and she pointed out that Kayla had a great marriage with Steve. “And that gives me hope for myself,” Stephanie said. Stephanie thanked her mother for caring about her. Kayla hugged Stephanie, and she said she was thankful that they would get to spend Christmas together.

Philip and Alex literally ran into one another in the square. With a scowl, Alex congratulated Philip on his courtroom win. “I know you were Team Xander on this, so you don’t have to pretend to be happy for me,” Philip said. As Alex stared in silence, Philip noted that his lawyer had gotten Alex’s written character reference thrown out. “Well, I am glad the whole thing is over, Philip. And I think the whole splitting the baby, so to speak, was probably the best, you know, reasonable, fair solution,” Alex said. Alex told Philip that he hoped Philip and Xander could work together for the good of the company.

“Who knows? Maybe now you and I could possibly do the same,” Alex added. “I’m not so sure about that. Especially since my father’s estate isn’t the only issue between us,” Philip said. When Philip mentioned Alex’s unease with Stephanie’s PR work for Philip, Alex noted that the case was over. “You got what you wanted, right?” Alex asked. “Half of what I wanted. But that doesn’t mean Steph and I will never see each other again,” Philip said. Alex noted that Philip and Stephanie were grown adults and did not need his blessing to hang out.

Philip noted that since Stephanie and Alex used to be an item, he wanted to disclose that he had kissed Stephanie. Alex took a step toward Philip. “You and Stephanie kissed, and you felt a need to share that with me?” Alex asked. “It was in the interest of family harmony [that I told you]. Didn’t want you to be blindsided,” Philip explained. Alex accused Philip of gloating. Philip protested that he only wanted to be honest with Alex. “I wouldn’t want Christmas to be as uncomfortable as Thanksgiving was,” Philip added. Alex said that Stephanie was free to date whomever she wanted.

“We’re not actually dating. Well, not yet, anyway,” Philip said. “Once again, this is really none of my business,” Alex said. Philip noted that Stephanie had responded well to the kiss, so he believed they would be dating soon. “Good for you, Philip. And I hope the best for the two of you,” Alex said coldly. Philip squinted his eyes, and he asked Alex if he meant that. Alex said yes. After a moment of tense silence, Philip thanked Alex for the support.

“Stephanie’s a very good friend of mine. Whatever makes her happy, I’m all about it,” Alex said. When Alex asked about Christmas dinner, Philip said he was not sure if he would attend because of Xander. “But as for you and me, now that the Stephanie thing is settled, we’re all good now. Right?” Philip asked. As Alex noted that there were no hard feelings between them, Stephanie entered the square.

“There she is. We were just talking about you, Steph,” Philip said. “Uh oh,” Stephanie joked playfully. Alex wished Stephanie a Merry Christmas, and he left. Philip asked Stephanie if he had been too forward with the kiss, and Stephanie said no. “I kissed you back, didn’t I?” Stephanie said. “I was thinking that now that we’re no longer working together, maybe you’d be interested in seeing where things go,” Philip said. Stephanie smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to say. Philip asked Stephanie to go out with him on New Year’s Eve, and she accepted.

At the police station, Paulina complained to Jada that she had heard about Hattie’s arrest from a source other than the commissioner. “Good work, Jada. So, were you able to wrangle a confession out of that cupcake poisoner?” Paulina asked. Jada explained that Rafe’s interference had caused a problem. “[Hattie] lawyered up before we got a chance to question her [about the cupcakes],” Jada said. Paulina asked Jada how she planned to clean up the mess. Jada noted that she could not prevent Rafe from working as a private investigator. Paulina warned that if Rafe used Jada for information, it would be a problem for the department.

“I understand. However, it is within Rafe’s right to make a citizen’s arrest. He is not working against us,” Jada argued. “But you’ve just told me, did you not, that he just ruined your chances to question the subject?” Paulina countered. Jada said yes. Paulina warned Jada to control Rafe. Jada told Paulina that she was not comfortable with that idea.

“Okay, maybe that was an unreasonable request,” Paulina admitted. Paulina asked Jada if money could sway Rafe to rejoin the police force. “That’s great for you to offer that, mayor. However, I don’t know if there’s room for him anymore,” Jada said. Jada informed Paulina that she had hired Shawn and offered JJ a job. “And I have to say, you know, Rafe didn’t quit the force for monetary reasons,” Jada reminded Paulina. Paulina groaned as she noted that Rafe did not want to work for a woman.

“Not a woman. This woman, yes. And you know, I kind of get it. He just didn’t want this to become a problem for us,” Jada said. “I suppose I can understand that,” Paulina grumbled. With a nod, Jada added that Rafe appeared to love his job, and she did not imagine he would want to give it up. “These macho men and their egos. I’m lucky that Abraham is secure in his masculinity and had no problem with me taking over his old job. In fact, he encouraged it,” Paulina said. Jada pointed out that Abe did not work for Paulina.

When Paulina suggested that Rafe could seek out a new profession, Jada argued that Rafe was a great detective. “And it’s a big part of who he is. I am not going to ask him to give that up,” Jada added. With a nod, Paulina urged Jada to have a discussion with Rafe so that they were not at odds in the future. “I will do my best,” Jada promised. Paulina asked Jada to figure out if Hattie was the poisoner, because she was worried the real culprit was still on the loose. “I don’t want to have to make another commissioner change,” Paulina warned.

EJ answered his front door, and he was dismayed to find Rafe on the porch. “I’m in no mood for you, Hernandez,” EJ said. “Well, that’s too bad. Because we need to talk,” Rafe countered. Rafe marched past EJ into the living room to pour a drink. “Is this some sort of midlife crisis?” EJ asked. Rafe noted that he was fine. “And also, I’m not Rafe Hernandez,” Rafe said. “What do you mean?” EJ asked. The man introduced himself as Arnold Feniger.

“Arnold?” EJ said with alarm. “There it is. A glimmer of recognition,” Arnold said. EJ hissed at Arnold, “You’re supposed to be in Argentina playing dead!” Arnold explained that he needed money. EJ reminded Arnold that he had paid him to leave town. Arnold thought about when he had been in prison, and other inmates had mistaken him for Rafe and stabbed him.

“Damn it, Feniger, we made a huge investment in you,” EJ grumbled. “I know, you spent ungodly amounts of money to turn me into the spitting image of Rafe Hernandez,” Arnold said. EJ added that he had also paid Arnold to break up Sami and Rafe, and Arnold had ignored the plan. “You’re lucky we spared your life,” EJ said bitterly. Arnold argued that EJ had spared his life because he knew he would need him again someday.

“I don’t need or want you here, Feniger. What I need for you to do is go back where you came from. Dr. Rolf’s drug made you appear dead and dead you must be,” EJ said. Arnold sipped his drink, and he thought about when the guards had believed he had died after the stabbing because of Rolf’s drug. “If I’d have known that you were shipping me off to the Argentinian jungle,” Arnold muttered. EJ ordered Arnold to return to Argentina before anyone saw him.

Johnny walked into the room, and he was surprised to see “Rafe” there. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” Arnold asked. Johnny furrowed his brow. “Excuse me?” Johnny said with confusion. EJ laughed. “Stop fooling around, Hernandez. I may not always have been a fan, but you and my son Johnny have always been close, best pals,” EJ said. Arnold took the cue, and he said he had been joking. EJ explained that Rafe worked for Black Patch, and he had believed the DA’s office could use the agency’s services.

“Why hire Rafe? You two hate each other,” Johnny asked. “You’re right about that,” Arnold said. Arnold explained that EJ needed the best and that he was the best. “Isn’t that right, EJ?” Arnold asked. “Yes, you are the best,” EJ said. EJ widened his eyes at Arnold as a warning. With a shake of his head, Johnny said he was glad that EJ and Rafe were getting along. “It must be a Christmas miracle,” Johnny said. Johnny wished “Rafe” a Merry Christmas, and he went upstairs to bed.

“What the hell was that?” EJ hissed at Arnold. “That was me turning the screws on you a little bit,” Arnold said. EJ told Arnold that he would give him one more payment, but then Arnold needed to return to Argentina forever. “Do I make myself clear?” EJ asked. Arnold smirked and said yes. “Now it is time for me to make myself clear. You will come around, DiMera,” Arnold said. Arnold told EJ that he was useful but that he would not be pushed around. “I think I’m gonna stick around for a while,” Arnold said.

At the Brady Pub, Steve met up with Rafe. Steve congratulated Rafe on his work in capturing Hattie. “Unfortunately, she denied being the Lady Whistleblower imposter,” Rafe said. “Bottom line, you did the job you were hired to do,” Steve countered. Rafe handed Steve a check from Leo. “There might be more where this came from if we can track down the real imposter,” Steve noted. Steve asked Rafe why he was not happier about the win. Rafe told Steve about his fight with Jada.

“Well, if Jada wants to beat you to her next arrest, the PD’s just gonna have to step up their game and out-hustle you,” Steve said. Rafe chuckled. Rafe noted that because they were not police officers, they could “play fast and loose with the rules.” Steve countered that with the whole police force on Jada’s side, they had the same odds. “I’m not sure that the mayor is backing [Jada] up right now. Look, I hate to say it, but this is going to keep happening, isn’t it?” Rafe asked. Steve admitted that was likely the case.

“Right, so maybe working for Black Patch wasn’t such a good idea,” Rafe said. “What do you mean?” Steve asked. Rafe noted that he had only worked on one case with the new job, and it had already caused problems in his relationship. “You’re not saying you want to quit, are you?” Steve asked. Rafe shrugged, and he noted he did not know what else to do. Steve reminded Rafe that cops and PI’s were often at odds.

“I mean, look at us. How many dust-ups did we have when you were commissioner?” Steve asked. Rafe shrugged. Steve added that he and Hope had fought over many cases, and they were still good friends. “But you weren’t engaged to [Hope]. Or me, for that matter,” Rafe said. “Good point,” Steve conceded. Steve said he did not want to interfere in Rafe’s relationship. “But when it comes right down to it, you need a job, and I need you,” Steve said. Steve offered to talk to Jada, but Rafe declined.

“Now listen, I know that John is off on a big mission right now, so I don’t want to leave you in the lurch,” Rafe said. “That’s good of you. But I’m not going to pressure you into doing something that’s not right for you,” Steve countered. Rafe thanked Steve, and he noted that he did love the job. Steve told Rafe he was an asset to the company. After a moment, Rafe told Steve that he had helped him realize that the job was important to him. “So Jada and I, we’ll work things out. I am gonna stay,” Rafe said.

When Steve returned home, he asked Kayla about Stephanie. “Well, she hightailed it out of here after we got down and dirty about her love life,” Kayla said. Kayla told Steve that they could catch up with their daughter over Christmas dinner. “How did it go with Rafe?” Kayla asked. “He pretty much solved the case, but then he almost quit on me,” Steve said. Steve explained that Rafe was worried that the job would drive a wedge between him and Jada. “I sure hope that’s not true,” Steve said.

Rafe was making a sandwich in his kitchen when Jada returned home. “I just want to say that I am sorry about what happened,” Rafe said. “No, no, look. I’m sorry,” Jada countered. Jada said she understood that Rafe had been doing his job. “I shouldn’t have blown up at you like that,” Jada said. Rafe said he understood, and he apologized again. Rafe asked about the mayor. Jada said it had been rough, but she had defended Rafe to Paulina.

“You did the right thing. You found the suspect. You turned her over to us. And now she is in police custody where she belongs,” Jada said. “But it still didn’t work for us, so how do we make it better?” Rafe asked. Jada suggested that they figure it out together.

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