Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Rafe informs Sami he’s joined the police force, and will use his legal authority to put EJ behind bars. Rafe goes to Victor and makes a deal to eliminate their mutual enemy – the DiMeras. EJ calls Sami and asks her to talk to Johnny one last time to give him closure, and she reluctantly agrees. A heartbroken Sami tells Johnny she won’t see him anymore. She flashes him the secret signal, and he understands her meaning. Later, she vows to be back. Gabi has had the wedding pictures developed and shows them to Will. They notice something strange regarding Johnny. They bring the photos to Rafe to get his opinion. Abe and Lexie experience an up-and-down day with Theo. Abe learns from Lexie that Sami most likely shot EJ, and he blows up at Bo for not making an arrest. Abe has it out with Sami and Bo and she throws Lexie’s past infidelities in his face. Abe returns to the hospital and is upset to find Ben comforting Lexie. Chloe and Philip have a nice stroll down memory lane and are glad they’re still good friends. At the same time, Caroline is relieved when Stephanie says she won’t tell the truth about Parker’s paternity. Nathan and Stephanie firm up their plans to get married. Melanie is disconcerted when Nathan tells her about the impending wedding date. Meanwhile, Daniel is concerned about Melanie and Philip’s plans to have a baby so soon. At the hospital, a floored Daniel overhears Stephanie talking to Caroline about Philip cheating on Melanie. Nicole pretends she’s broken up with Brady to be with Sydney. EJ insists she move into the guest cottage on the DiMera grounds. Nicole and Brady break up in front of Henderson, and then make love. Brady isn’t crazy about Nicole moving in with the DiMeras, but she insists she’ll be safe from Vivian and sneaking around EJ will make her and Brady’s relationship even hotter. Brady admits he does love a challenge and they make love again. Abe is jealous when he sees Ben comforting Lexie over Theo. Lexie is surprised by Abe’s behavior, then furious when he tells her Sami put the bug in his ear when she reminded him of Lexie’s past. Lexie and Abe make up, but she remains furious with Sami. Gabi and Will hover as Rafe studies the photos of Johnny. He acknowledges that Johnny’s pupil in his left eye is white, but thinks it’s nothing serious. They decide to reprint the photos, but Johnny’s eye is still white. Rafe assures Will and Gabi that it’s probably a reflection of the light, even though it’s in every photo. He tells Will not to tell Sami so as not to worry her over nothing. Will agrees. Later, Rafe wants EJ to see the photos. EJ refuses and kicks Rafe out. Rafe is about to call Lexie when she appears on his doorstep. He tells her he needs to talk to her about something important.

Melanie asks Nathan why he’s rushing his wedding to Stephanie when he told her in quarantine that he loved her. Nathan says he knows he can be happy without his soul mate, Melanie. He points out that Melanie is in love and is happy with Philip. They agree to move on but it’s difficult for both of them. Stephanie raves to Melanie about how much Nathan loves her. Melanie impulsively asks if Stephanie really knows Nathan’s feelings for her. Daniel says nothing to Stephanie and Caroline about overhearing their discussion of Philip cheating on Melanie. He runs into Philip, and confronts him. He can see in Philip’s eyes that he has cheated, though he doesn’t know with whom. He grabs Philip in anger just as Chloe enters. She overhears Daniel call Philip a cheater. Lexie lays into Rafe about what Sami said to Abe. Rafe apologizes, but demands she check out the photos revealing a white spot in Johnny’s eye. Lexie does, and notes it wouldn’t hurt to have it checked out. Meanwhile, EJ worries about Johnny after Rafe’s visit. Nicole questions his concern, but EJ insists nothing is wrong. While Nicole feels as if she’s fitting into the role of mother nicely, EJ reminds her he’s in control. Later, EJ is infuriated when Rafe arrives with Lexie to discuss Johnny’s health again. Rafe waits outside as Lexie examines Johnny and grows alarmed. Chloe interrupts Daniel and Philip’s fight. Philip goes, and Daniel tells Chloe that Philip cheated on Melanie with some Titan trash. Chloe realizes he doesn’t know the whole truth. She tries to get Daniel to drop it, but her efforts backfire. Daniel cannot let this go! Meanwhile, Adrienne prepares to tell Nathan the truth about Parker just as Melanie is about to tell Stephanie about Nathan’s true feelings. Adrienne pulls back, and decides it’s best to keep the secret. Melanie backs off, as well, and wishes Stephanie and Nathan the best. Adrienne warns Stephanie that the truth will come out whether she likes it or not. Later, Chloe tells Philip that Daniel is looking for him. At the same time, Daniel and Melanie come unexpectedly face-to-face.

While Maggie babysits Parker, Victor comes for a visit. Victor realizes Maggie is jealous about Kate moving in with him, and he decides he can use this to his advantage. Lexie tells EJ that Johnny needs to be seen by a specialist and makes an immediate appointment. Though EJ won’t tell him anything, Rafe realizes Lexie is concerned. Meanwhile, Sami tries to contact Johnny through Allie. Later, she overhears Gabi and Will talking and realizes Johnny may be ill. Rafe comes home and fills her in on everything he knows, and they head for the hospital. Johnny is undergoing tests when they get there. EJ, stressed and terrified, turns on Sami and accuses her of causing Johnny’s illness.

Bo shows Jennifer the letter from Hope. He points out that Hope misspelled Ciara’s name. Jennifer is afraid Hope is losing it, but Bo thinks she’s trying to convey to him that something’s wrong. Jennifer suggests they work together, but Bo squashes the idea. Alone, Jennifer decides she has to do something to help her cousin. Meanwhile, Jane plays mind games with Hope, who prays for a Christmas miracle. Philip realizes Stephanie knows he and Chloe slept together. He and Chloe are afraid Daniel and Melanie are bound to learn the truth. Meanwhile, Melanie learns that Daniel and Philip fought, but jumps to the wrong conclusion about the reason. As she goes on about her love for Philip, Daniel decides not to tell his daughter that her husband cheated. Daniel calls Philip and asks to see him. Desperate, Chloe goes to Melanie and realizes that Daniel didn’t tell her anything. Chloe thinks maybe everything will work out between the men. Meanwhile, Philip meets Daniel on the pier. Philip mistakenly assumes that he now knows all. He admits that he cheated and that it’s much worse than Daniel ever realized. Maggie, baby-sitting Parker, is worried by Chloe and Philip’s strange behavior. EJ accuses Sami of deliberately causing the problem with Johnny’s eye so she can have access to him. Sami and Rafe are both furious. Rafe points out that’s not possible. Dr. Kim returns and explains he’s waiting for Johnny’s test results. Alone, Sami and EJ agree they have to put Johnny first and form a truce. However, when EJ sees Johnny and Sami discuss their secret signal, he’s furious. He wants Sami out of hospital and Johnny’s life. Dr. Kim returns and says he has bad news. Bo explains to Julie that he’s going away for a while on a case, not telling her it’s about Hope. He needs her and Doug to look after Ciara for a while. Julie agrees. Alone with Ciara, Bo has her open her Christmas gift. It’s one of Hope’s necklaces. It is to remind her how much he and Hope love her. Ciara gives him her bow to remember her when he misses her. Bo summons Carly, who is worried when she sees the look on his face, and asks what’s wrong. Chloe is anxious that neither Philip nor Daniel has checked in after their talk. Melanie isn’t worried as much as Chloe, and is convinced Philip can smooth Daniel’s ruffled feathers. When Carly arrives to see Parker, Chloe makes an excuse to leave to check on Philip. Carly is happy to see that Melanie has gotten over Chloe’s one night stand. Melanie feels Carly was right to keep it a secret and appreciates the risk she took in keeping it from Bo—to protect Daniel’s happiness. Later, Nathan sees Melanie with Parker and thinks she’ll make a great mom. Philip lets Daniel think he had a one night stand with Sabrina, the secretary from Titan. He swears to Daniel that he will spend the rest of his life making Melanie happy. Daniel agrees to say nothing to Melanie about Philip’s cheating but says Stephanie knows. Philip promises to talk to her. Daniel gets to Stephanie first, and makes her promise to keep Philip’s one night stand to herself.