Days of our Lives Recap for Monday, January 27, 2025: Rachel  goes home, while Ava goes missing 

At Small Bar, Leo wrote a scene for Body and Soul in which “Charlemagne” interrupted the wedding of “Kassandra” and “Rhett” and announced her pregnancy. As he thought up another plot twist, Javi joined him at the table. The couple reminisced about the first night they had met when Javi had used the same line he had just used on Leo: “Who do I have to sleep with to get a drink around here?” Leo mused about how he’d associated the drink he’d had that night with Javi, and Javi admitted he’d been drawn to Leo because he loved a “creative guy with dimples.” The duo smiled at the memories and banter and shared a kiss.

Javi asked Leo how the writing was going, and Leo lamented the difficulties of planning the perfect drama-filled wedding. Javi could relate to Leo’s wedding planning woes, as he had just one day to finish preparations for Rafe and Jada’s wedding. Javi’s distress increased when Leo mentioned throwing Rafe a bachelor party. While he volleyed ideas for the party, Leo noticed a message from Doug on his phone. In the message, Doug affirmed his intention to pay back all of his loans.

Doug also wanted Leo’s help with getting Julie’s necklace back. Leo quickly tried to change the subject when Javi asked about the necklace, but Javi pressed for more information. Leo would only say he helped a kid out in a way that may not have been “entirely legal.” Javi worried that Leo would land in jail, but Leo reassured him that he would take care of it. When Leo left to do just that, Javi called out to him not to forget the stripper and awkwardly tried to explain away the comment to his fellow bar patrons.

At the Horton house, Doug III told Holly that he intended to get a job and start recompensating for the loan. He noticed her dejected mood and asked if she was thinking about the “girl Tate got pregnant.” Holly told Doug that Tate’s sister was missing, which was part of the reason she was distracted. Doug sympathized as Holly explained that she and Tate had been brainstorming ideas to locate the little girl. Holly added that Sophia had interrupted them with the news that her mother had vetoed the adoption.

Holly complained about all the setbacks that kept coming with Sophia’s pregnancy. Since Sophia was being forced to keep the baby and would be tied to Tate for life, Holly worried that Tate and Sophia would eventually get married. Holly realized that she sounded “self-involved” and apologized to Doug. He understood that she had plenty of reasons to be upset and joked about her having a playlist for all of her troubles. The duo shared a smile, a hug, and a close moment as they looked into each other’s eyes.

Leo disrupted the moment. He had come to talk with Doug about the necklace. Although Leo tried to be discreet since Holly was present, Doug informed him that Holly already knew about the stolen jewelry. Doug also told Leo about Holly’s loan and reaffirmed that paying Holly back was his first priority. Although Holly said he should focus on getting the necklace back, Doug was insistent.

Leo cautioned that the people who had the necklace would probably want more money for its return. Doug stated that he needed a job immediately, so Leo offered to hire Doug as his assistant. Doug was hesitant since he didn’t have experience with soap operas, but Leo eventually convinced him to accept the job.

Doug thanked Leo and mentioned everyone who had supported him since he had come to town. He shared another meaningful look with Holly. Taking note of the vibe between Doug and Holly, Leo smiled and announced he would give Doug an advance on his salary.

After Leo left, Doug and Holly enthusiastically reacted to Leo's offer. Once again, they were interrupted — this time by a call from Tate. Back at Small Bar, Leo rejoined Javi, who praised Leo on his efforts to help out someone in need. Leo had a feeling that Doug had more "guardian angels" than the young man thought.

At John and Marlena’s place, Brady — fresh from a shower — noticed a message on his phone. When he played it, Ava’s voice emerged through static. She had started to tell him to call her immediately, but the message was cut off before Brady could hear the rest of it. He desperately tried to call Ava back but did not get a response. He left a message for her.

Later, Brady went to the DiMera Mansion and found a frantic Kristen. She mentioned that EJ had comforted her, to Brady’s surprise. Kristen reiterated that EJ and she were there for each other, even if they weren’t related by blood. Kristen had opened up to EJ about her childhood and her birth parents, which prompted her to remember that her family scrapbook was missing. Brady believed Rachel might have taken it…and that it might provide a clue to her destination.

Kristen recalled that Aremid was only a few miles out of town. Brady and she rushed out the door to pursue their new lead.

At Aremid, Ava arrived and called out for Rachel. She spotted Rachel’s stuffed snake and sat down to pick it up. Suddenly, Ava crumpled onto the couch. Behind her stood the Woman in White and Rachel, both holding a candlestick. The woman remarked that taking care of Ava had been “easy,” and Rachel breezily responded, “No kidding.” The woman added that Ava would not be coming between Rachel’s “mommy and daddy” anymore.

Ava’s phone rang, and the Woman in White picked it up. When the woman noted the call was from Rachel’s dad, Rachel asked what they should do. “We won’t answer,” the woman replied. Rachel wondered if Ava was dead, and the woman assured her that Ava was alive and a “tough bird.” She also promised Rachel that nothing would stand in the way of “mommy and daddy” reuniting.

Rachel was pleased by the prospect of her mom and dad getting back together but pondered what would happen when Ava woke up. The woman told Rachel they would come up with a plan to ensure “the mean lady” didn’t put a stop to “mommy and daddy being a family forever.”

Later, Brady and Kristen arrived at Aremid to find the house seemingly empty. Brady saw Rachel’s shoe peeking from underneath a sheet-covered piece of furniture and removed the sheet. He was elated to see a hiding Rachel and scooped the little girl up in his arms. Kristen rushed over and joined Brady in hugging Rachel. The girl excitedly asked if her parents had looked for her together. Kristen picked up the scrapbook and realized that Rachel had indeed gotten the idea to come to Aremid from the book.

Brady scolded Rachel for running off by herself, as she could have gotten seriously hurt. Rachel claimed she wasn’t alone. Upon Brady’s questioning, Rachel clarified that she had her stuffed pet snake, Seymour, with her. Kristen told Rachel that Seymour and she were in “big trouble” and instructed her daughter to pack up her belongings. As Rachel started to go out the door with her parents, she lied that she had forgotten something and ran back inside alone.

The Woman in White handed Rachel Ava’s phone and told the little girl not to worry. She would take care of Ava.

At the Brady Pub, Sophia and Tate updated each other on their respective efforts to find leads on Rachel’s whereabouts. Tate was frustrated because he hadn’t heard anything from his dad yet. Sophia believed they should work on the efforts to locate Rachel together. She had wanted to talk with Tate about what had unfolded with her mother anyway. Sophia suggested that they proceed with the adoption despite her mom’s objections.

Tate was confused by the suggestion, so Sophia elaborated that she would be 18 by the time she gave birth. Tate and she could make arrangements with an adoption agency without telling Sophia’s parents. Tate thought keeping their parents in the dark was a bad idea. He worried that her parents, in particular, would get angry and potentially cut Sophia off, financially and otherwise. Sophia vowed that she could support herself if it came to that, and she claimed she didn’t care if her parents went as far as to disown her.

Tate still had reservations, so he proposed they find the “perfect couple” to adopt the baby. Then, Sophia’s mother would be more likely to agree. When Sophia mentioned her mother’s emphasis on religion, Tate suggested they contact his Uncle Eric to help locate a “good Christian home” for the baby. At first, Sophia expressed doubt that her mother would change her mind about the adoption.

Sophia eventually warmed to the idea and told Tate she had hope for the first time in a long time. She thanked him for standing by her during all the turmoil, and the two shared a hug. Later, after Tate found out about Rachel he called Holly to update her. Holly was happy to hear that Rachel had been found. When Tate asked if they could talk, Holly agreed.

Brady and Kristen arrived back at the DiMera mansion with Rachel. Kristen told Rachel she would be grounded from internet, phone, or TV access for three weeks. After Rachel protested, Kristen reminded her daughter that she was getting off easy. She went to get Rachel some food, leaving father and daughter alone.

Brady sat Rachel down and cautioned the girl not to believe she had gotten her way because of her actions. He tried to make it clear that Kristen and he were not getting back together. Ava was a part of his life, and Rachel needed to accept it.

Meanwhile, back at Aremid, the Woman in White wheeled a groggy, bound, and gagged Ava into a room.

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