Days of our Lives Recap for Wednesday, January 8, 2025: Kristen and Brady discover Rachel's machinations

As Kristen poured herself a drink at the DiMera mansion, Ava strode into the room uninvited. Kristen sharply asked Ava what she wanted. Ava coolly responded, “A confession.” Kristen snarked about the “silly text messages,” and Ava showed her the latest text. It read, “New Year’s resolution: Stay away from Brady.” Kristen insisted she hadn’t sent the texts.

Ava informed Kristen that she had hired Steve to find the sender, and he had discovered that the texts had been sent from someone in "this depressing mausoleum." As Rachel listened from the doorway, Kristen’s expression slightly changed. Ava persisted that the messages had come from the mansion, so Kristen suggested that someone else had sent them. Ava sarcastically asked what motive Johnny and Chanel might have had, and Kristen reminded her of the time Ava had played “Mrs. Robinson” to Johnny’s “Benjamin.” Kristen proposed that Johnny might have been seeking revenge for Ava’s rejection, or Chanel might have wanted to “eliminate the competition.”

Ava scoffed at Kristen’s theory, so Kristen added Ava’s previous entanglements with EJ to the mix. Ava urged Kristen to stop throwing her family “under the bus” because no one but Kristen had a problem with Ava and Brady's involvement. Ava continued accusing Kristen until Rachel rushed into the room and commanded Ava to leave her mom alone. Rachel then yelled at Ava to leave because she didn’t belong there. Ava told Rachel that she was having a “private conversation” with her mother.

Kristen stepped in and suggested Ava go as well since Ava was upsetting her daughter. Rachel threatened, “Don’t make us call security.” Ava warned Kristen to stop the harassment, or she would call the police, then stormed out. Rachel smiled with satisfaction, and Kristen immediately asked Rachel if she had sent the texts. Rachel tried to deny it, but Kristen cautioned that it wouldn't end well if Rachel didn’t tell the truth.

Rachel relented and confessed but promised Kristen that she’d had a good excuse for sending the texts. She reasoned that if the “mean lady” was out of the way, her mommy and daddy could get back together. Kristen was touched that Rachel had gone to such lengths for her, but she told Rachel that she needed to find a way to get them both “out of this mess.” Kristen sat Rachel down and scolded her about threatening Ava.

Rachel argued that her mom didn’t like Ava either, but Kristen replied that not liking someone was not an excuse for lashing out at them. Rachel brought up Kristen’s affinity for seeking revenge, as well as “Uncle EJ and Nonno.” Kristen acknowledged the family’s “rich tradition of fighting for what we want,” but she stressed to Rachel that a lifetime of fighting usually leads to enemies and loneliness. She let Rachel know there would be consequences both for her actions and for lying, and she began by confiscating Rachel’s phone.

Kristen sent Rachel stomping to her room. She turned to Stefano’s portrait and, with exasperation, asked “Father” if he was “happy now.”

At John and Marlena’s place, Tate scrolled through pictures of Holly and him on his phone. Brady arrived with an offer to order in some food, but Tate claimed he wasn’t hungry. He explained that Holly still didn’t know about Sophia keeping the baby. Tate also confided to Brady that he “froze” at the prospect of telling Holly and just at the general idea of becoming a father. He lamented about how his life had changed so fundamentally because of “one mistake.”

Brady said he wouldn’t try to make Tate feel better about fatherhood, but he did express faith in his son, in Tate’s strength, and in his good heart. Brady urged Tate to tell Holly how much he still cared about her. Despite Brady’s warning not to think about “what-ifs,” Tate admitted he couldn’t help but ponder how it would all have been over if Sophia’s mother had not found out about her daughter’s pregnancy. He blamed Ava for outing his and Sophia’s relationship.

Brady defended Ava and said she wasn’t to blame, but Tate insisted that Ava had inserted herself into a situation that was none of her business and “blabbed” to Sophia’s mom. Brady reminded his son that Tate had gotten himself into the situation. Tate said he knew that and didn’t want a “big lecture” from Brady. He needed to find Holly. When he opened the door to leave, though, Sophia’s mother, Amy, stood in his way.

Brady invited Amy inside, which prompted Tate to ask if he was being “ambushed.” Amy replied that Brady had reached out to her and had wanted to talk. While Brady introduced himself to Amy, Tate tried to make a getaway. Brady and Amy thought he should stay, so Tate reluctantly acquiesced and took a seat. Amy asked briefly about Tate’s mother, and Brady confirmed that Theresa “wasn’t in the picture” at the moment.

Brady also affirmed that he was entirely responsible for Tate. He asked Amy where she wanted to start the discussion. Amy responded that the “first priority” should be planning Tate and Sophia’s wedding. Brady was taken aback, and Tate looked stricken. Amy said she’d already discussed her feelings on the subject with Tate, but Brady said Tate hadn’t talked about it with him.

Amy challenged Brady on how hard it would be for the child to be born to parents out of wedlock, in addition to being the result of a teen pregnancy. Brady agreed that Tate had used poor judgment but reminded Amy that Tate and Sophia were still kids themselves. He didn’t believe forcing them into a marriage when they weren’t a couple was the solution. Amy sharply added that abortion wasn’t the answer either, so Brady and she needed to make a decision that was best for their children and their future grandchild.

Brady “respectfully” asked Amy if she thought having the baby would be best for Sophia since the baby would “completely upend” both Sophia and Tate’s lives. Amy acknowledged that her daughter’s life would be more challenging than she envisioned, but she believed Sophia should be held accountable for her naivete in giving in to Brady’s “irresponsible boy.” Amy also stressed that she was a woman who lived by “the courage of my convictions,” and those convictions included a certainty that every life was sacred. Brady turned to Tate and said it was Sophia’s decision, and Amy corrected that it was “the family’s decision.”

Brady pledged that both Tate and himself would step up and meet the baby's needs, “financial or otherwise.” Amy retorted, “It’s the least you can do.” She let Brady know she would be back in touch and left. Tate thanked Brady for having his back. Brady reiterated that he would always be there for his son but told Tate they had a lot to discuss. Tate said he needed to talk to Holly first.

Later, Brady greeted Ava, who had stopped by for her own talk. Brady updated Ava on his meeting with Sophia’s mother. Ava was stunned at the woman’s demand and expressed regret for having put Sophia’s mother on the warpath. Brady assured her it wasn’t her fault and wanted to change the subject. Ava conceded that their next topic of discussion might not be much better for Brady.

Ava told Brady about her confrontation with Kristen, about Kristen’s denials, and about Rachel’s intrusion. Brady was irate that Kristen had managed to drag their daughter into the situation. He promised Ava that he would take care of it.

Brady immediately stormed into the DiMera mansion and demanded that Kristen stop harassing Ava. Kristen disrupted him mid-rant and stated that she didn’t send the texts. Rachel did.

At the Kiriakis mansion, Holly pensively stroked the bracelet Tate had given her for Christmas. She got a call from Doug, who wished her a happy new year. He also wanted to thank her for spending the evening with him. Holly insisted she should thank Doug for keeping her from spending New Year's Eve alone and for distracting her from Tate and Sophia. When Doug asked how Holly was doing, she confessed that she’d spent her entire break from school feeling anxious and scared.

Holly was still anxious since she hadn’t talked to Tate. Doug gave her a pep talk and told her he was there if she ever needed to talk. Holly called Doug a good person, thanked him, and ended the call. Just then, Sophia walked up behind her and caught her attention. Sophia explained that Henderson, the butler, had let her in because she’d told him Holly and her were friends.

Holly wondered why Sophia had wanted to see her. Sophia had come to apologize for the entire situation with Tate. She said that she had used protection with Tate and never intended to cause trouble for Holly and Tate. Holly thanked her for the apology and asked if she needed to sit down and rest. Sophia said she wasn’t feeling tired yet, just nauseous. She added that the tiredness would probably come in a few months when she was “big as a house.”

Sophia then confirmed she was still pregnant, which left Holly shocked and confused. She asked about the abortion, and Sophia inquired with incredulity if Tate hadn’t already told Holly about what had happened. Sophia readily announced that her mother had stopped the trip and had insisted that she have Tate’s baby. Holly pressed her on how it had all happened, so Sophia filled her in on the details. She reminded Holly that her mother was “strict” and “super pro-life.” Sophia then dealt another blow to Holly by revealing that her mother expected Tate and her to get married.

Holly wondered how Tate had reacted. Sophia said that while Tate had claimed it wouldn’t happen, her mother “has a way of getting what she wants.” After Sophia left, Holly called Doug and wanted to take him up on his offer to talk. Tate’s arrival interrupted the conversation. Holly got off the phone and angrily confronted Tate about Sophia’s visit and revelation.

Tate tried apologizing, but Holly blasted Tate for telling her it would all be over soon. Tate said it would be over in nine months. Holly ridiculed his response and reminded him that Sophia and he would have a baby in nine months. It would never be over. She told Tate she couldn’t deal with him and walked away.

Later, Tate encountered Sophia mulling over a cup of hot chocolate in Horton Town Square. He joined her and said he’d just seen Holly. Sophia apologized for having broken the news to Holly. Tate didn’t blame her and admitted he should have told Holly sooner but had been scared. Sophia asked how Holly had reacted to him. Tate confided that she’d gotten upset and left before they could really talk.

At the Horton house, Doug called Leo after ending his conversation with Holly. Doug worried to Leo about his loan sharks accepting the money from the necklace, since the amount did not cover his debt. Julie entered the room mid-conversation, which startled Doug. He quickly ended the call with Leo and wished Julie a happy new year. Julie was still in her robe and admitted that she hadn’t slept.

Julie opened up about her and Doug, Sr.’s New Year’s ritual of finding a new calendar and planning out the entire year ahead. She sighed about how wonderful and comforting the day had always been. She knew that she should be grateful for all of the years Doug and she had shared together, but she still felt an emptiness. As Julie teared up, Doug gave her a comforting hug. She pulled back and apologized for "falling apart."

Doug reassured her that he understood. He couldn’t imagine the pain of losing someone with whom he’d spent nearly his entire life. He lauded Julie’s strength and her love for her family. He marveled at how she’d accepted him, a virtual stranger, with open arms. Doug got a text from someone demanding he meet them in 20 minutes.

Doug claimed the text was from Holly but said he could change his plans and stay with Julie. She insisted he go and not worry about her. Doug eventually relented and left. Later, Julie sat on the couch and stared sadly at various check-in messages from family members. She deleted each text and let out a sob.

Meanwhile, Doug waited anxiously in the park. Two men approached and demanded Doug’s payment. He handed the money over to them and tensely explained that he hadn't been able to secure all of the money yet. He promised to get them the rest of the cash. The men said Doug’s time was up and stalked menacingly toward him.

Later, Holly walked through the park and heard the men laughing. As she approached, they ran off. Holly spotted a bloodied, unconscious Doug on the ground. With alarm, she rushed over to him.

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