Days of our Lives Recap, June 17, 2025: Doug receives mail that threatens Holly and Ari

Here's your Days of our Lives recap for what happened in Salem on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Gabi was working on her laptop and yelling at herself in the Hernandez kitchen when a sleepy-eyed Javi exited his bedroom. “Looks like you could use some help,” Javi said. Gabi apologized to Javi for having fired him. “I’m really sorry for how I treated you. And I’m also ashamed in the way that I spoke to you when you didn’t pick up Ari from the airport. It wasn’t cool,” Gabi said. Javi agreed. Gabi told Javi that he had been a great assistant, and she asked what it would take to get him to return to work for her. Javi said no.

“I have to do something for me. So I’ve accepted a new job,” Javi said. Javi told Gabi that he had accepted a job as a rookie firefighter. “What? With no experience?” Gabi said. Javi told Gabi that he had trained as a firefighter when he had lived in Texas.

“I’m sorry. I hope you’re not upset with me,” Javi said. Gabi that she was genuinely happy for Javi. “You’re a wonderful person and hard working. And honestly, you’re gonna be the hunkiest firefighter of them all,” Gabi said. Javi laughed and thanked her for her support.

At the Spectator office, Leo talked to a contact on the phone. “You’re telling me that Philip Kiriakis is claiming his brother didn’t assault him?” Leo said. Chad hobbled in, and Leo remarked on his limp. Chad told Leo what had happened on his date and the aftermath at the Horton house.

“At least you don’t have to worry about Cat getting the wrong idea now that she’s bailing on your friendship, such as it is,” Leo said. “But that’s the thing, it was just a friendship. So I don’t get why it has to be over just because Jennifer says so,” Chad complained. “Doesn’t Cat say so, too?” Leo countered. Chad glowered, and he asked about work updates. Leo told Chad that there was no new information on EJ’s shooting.

“In other news, Philip is awake,” Leo said. Leo told Chad that Philip had said that Xander was not his assailant. Chad told Leo to go home, and Leo insisted that Chad leave for the night, too. Leo helped Chad limp out of the office. As Leo and Chad walked past the pub, Leo argued that it was only a matter of time before Titan-DiMera fell apart. Leo asked Chad if he wanted to step in, but Chad said no.

Will exited the pub, and Chad cheerfully hugged him hello. Chad offered his condolences for John. As Will started to thank Chad, he glanced over at Leo. “Don’t tell me you two are friends now,” Will said. “Hello to you, too, Wilhelmina. And in response to your somewhat caustic and derisive comment, Chad and I are colleagues now at the Spectator. And though we’ve had some growing pains, I would say we have a very copacetic working relationship,” Leo said. Chad agreed, then he hugged Will goodbye.

After Chad walked away, Leo said, “I don’t suppose you and I could ever reach a similar detente?” Will crossed his arms and glared at Leo. “I know that I have done some very shifty things to both you and Sonny and vice versa, but through a lot of self-reflection, I’ve come to realize how much pain I have caused some very good and decent people who cared about me. And I deeply regret that,” Leo said.

After a moment, Will said he had seen how upset Leo had been at John’s funeral. “And I read the obituary you wrote. It was very touching and eloquent,” Will said. Leo thanked Will. “Sometimes I wonder how different your life could have been if you had the privilege of growing up with [John] like I did,” Will said. “Yeah, I wonder that too,” Leo said softly.

Javi rounded the corner, and he kissed Leo hello. Leo introduced Will to Javi. “[Javi] also happens to be Ari’s cousin,” Leo added. “We’ve met. It’s been a long time, though. It’s good to see you again,” Will said. “You too. You’re raising an incredible daughter, by the way,” Javi said. Will thanked Javi, and he excused himself to meet up with Ari and Gabi. Will shook Leo’s hand, and he told him to take care. “My best to Sonny,” Leo said. With a nod, Will walked away.

Javi asked Leo about John’s funeral. Leo noted that he felt cumulative grief for the loss of John as a temporary father and as a man of the community. “I’m sorry. But from everything you told me, it sounded like John Black was really good to you,” Javi said. “He was,” Leo confirmed. Javi announced that he had good news that might cheer up Leo. “I got the job,” Javi said. Elated, Leo hugged Javi and told him he was proud of him.

Sophia was sitting in her room when Tate arrived to take her to the pre-graduation celebration. “Honestly, I don’t feel like going,” Sophia said. Sophia said she felt fine, but that the baby was kicking a lot. Tate felt Sophia’s belly, and he joked that they had made a football superstar. “I can’t believe that’s my kid,” Tate said. “Our kid,” Sophia said. Sophia told Tate that she did not think she would be good company.

“I know that you were bummed to miss prom and all the other senior stuff. And it will just be us in the square. It will be really chill, I promise,” Tate said. Sophia said she felt like she was ready to pop, and that she did not feel comfortable going out. When Sophia worried aloud about not finding an adoptive family before the birth, Tate suggested that they could find someone after the baby was born. Sophia looked horrified. “Are you worried that if you get to know the baby, you won’t want to give it up?” Tate asked. “Actually, I’m worried that if you get to know the baby, you won’t want to give it up,” Sophia countered.

Cat was dancing around her apartment when Aaron walked in. “What are you doing here?” Cat asked. Aaron noted that although he had graduated early, he had wanted to walk with the rest of his class at graduation. “Mom’s been doing so good lately. And in fact, she insisted I come,” Aaron said. Cat asked Aaron why he had not called. “I really wanted to surprise Felicity,” Aaron explained. “She’s gonna be so happy you’re here,” Cat said.

After Aaron left for the celebration in the square, Chad stopped by Cat’s apartment. “How’s the ankle?” Cat asked. Chad said he was fine. Chad apologized for the incident with Jennifer. “How is that your fault? You don’t have anything to apologize for, Chad, and neither does Jennifer,” Cat said. Cat stressed that she deserved Jennifer’s anger after what she had done to the family.

“I know you’re having a hard time forgiving yourself. I had a hard time forgiving myself for a while as well. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. And if there is one lesson this life has taught me, it’s that we deserve to have some grace extended to us,” Chad said. Cat thanked Chad for the sentiments, but she noted that Jack and Jennifer would never forgive her. “That’s their prerogative. I’m not going to begrudge them that. But I’m also not going to let them dictate who I socialize with,” Chad added. Chad asked Cat if she wanted to still be friends.

“I don’t want to be a source of any more pain,” Cat said. “The only person that is responsible for that pain is Clyde Weston,” Chad countered. Chad noted that no matter how Jack and Jennifer felt, Abigail was gone. “There’s nothing that anyone can say or do to bring her back. My only hope is that they can come to the same conclusion that I have,” Chad said. Cat asked Chad what he had realized.

“That my grief is a heavy enough burden. I don’t want to have to carry a grudge, too. I mean, I’m going to think about Abby every day for the rest of my life, but it doesn't mean I have to stop living it," Chad said. Cat noted that since her parents’ car accident when she thought she had lost them, it had taken her time to move “back into the land of the living.” “Well, maybe we can take the baby steps together then,” Chad said.

Holly and Ari ran into one another in the square. Holly explained that she and some other graduates were celebrating since their graduation was the next day. Holly invited Ari to join them. With a grin, Ari said she could hang out with Holly before she had dinner with her parents. Ari added that she wanted to catch up with people, but she had no interest in high school boys. Holly laughed. “I like my men a little more mature,” Ari said. As Holly and Ari laughed, Doug entered the square. Doug hurried away when he saw Holly with Ari.

Ari told Holly about her night with Doug, but she did not mention his name. “I don’t want to jinx it, but I like him. Like a lot,” Ari said. “I’m glad one of us is having luck with guys,” Holly said. Holly told Ari that her boyfriend had impregnated another woman. “And they were supposed to give the baby up for adoption, but it’s just gotten super complicated,” Holly said. “Wait a second. Are you talking about Tate Black?” Ari asked. Holly said yes.

“I talked to [Tate] earlier, and he told me that he really wants to get back together with you,” Ari said. “He said that?” Holly asked. Ari nodded yes. Ari asked Holly if she wanted to reconcile with Tate, and Holly said she did, but there was another guy she was interested in, too. “Who’s this other guy?” Ari asked. “Okay, I might be into him if I didn’t have hope that, like, Tate and I still had a chance,” Holly clarified. Holly argued that every time things started to get better for her and Tate, something happened.

Tate and Sophia walked into the square, and Ari lit up when she saw Sophia. “I had no idea that you were Tate’s baby mama,” Ari said. Ari hugged Sophia and told her that she was happy to see her. Tate helped Sophia sit down in the cafe. Sophia explained that the baby had been kicking.

“I wasn’t going to come, but Tate sort of talked me into it,” Sophia explained. Ari suggested that they hang out in the cafe and catch up. As Tate and Holly went to get frozen yogurt for the group, Ari asked Sophia how she was feeling. “I’m just glad it is going to be over soon,” Sophia said. Ari asked about Sophia’s mom. Ari noted that although her mother had gotten better, she had been difficult throughout the pregnancy.

“Honestly, if I didn’t have Tate to lean on, I don’t know what I would have done,” Sophia admitted. Ari noted that her cousin was a good guy. “The best,” Sophia said. Curious, Ari asked Sophia if she was interested in Tate. Sophia admitted that she had a crush on Tate. “But you knew he was with Holly, right?” Ari asked. Sophia told Ari that she had not known about the relationship at the start because Tate and Holly had been keeping it a secret.

“But they aren’t together anymore. And I know what you’re thinking, that it’s because of this, but it’s not. Not totally,” Sophia said. “Why else?” Ari asked. Sophia explained that Holly was interested in another guy, and Tate had undermined the other guy and upset Holly. “If you’re like madly in love with Tate, and you want to hold on to him, why are you giving up the baby?” Ari asked. Sophia clarified that she was not in love with Tate, and that she was not ready to be a mother. “Plus, I don’t want Tate to be with me out of like, a sense of duty. I want him to want me for me,” Sophia said. Sophia admitted that she wanted to reevaluate her relationship with Tate after the baby was adopted.

Across the square, Holly and Tate ran into Aaron. “You’re back for graduation?” Tate asked. Aaron joked that everyone would be depressed to graduation without him. While Holly stepped aside to call her mother, Aaron looked over at Sophia across the square. “You know, when I heard Sophia was, hey, pregnant, I really didn’t quite believe it. But now, seeing her,” Aaron said with a shrug. Tate stressed that he and Sophia had used protection, but she had gotten pregnant anyway.

“That is unlucky,” Aaron said. “In more ways than one,” Tate said as he glanced over at Holly. Aaron asked about Tate’s relationship with Holly. “I still want to be with her. I mean, I know it’s a long shot,” Tate said. Tate explained that after the adoption, he hoped that he and Holly could reconnect.

While Tate waited for Holly, Aaron sat with Sophia. “I’m glad you came back for graduation. It’s really good to see you,” Sophia said. Aaron asked Sophia if she wanted to split another frozen yogurt shake with him. “Isn’t that just for couples?” Sophia asked. Aaron confessed that before he had moved away, he had hoped that he and Sophia would end up together. “That was before I moved. A lot of things have changed, obviously,” Aaron said. Sophia looked across the square, and she saw Tate staring at Holly. “Obviously,” Sophia said.

Across the square, Holly told Tate that Nicole would be attending her graduation. “I’m actually waitlisted at the Sorbonne,” Holly said. Holly asked about Tate’s college plans. “With everything going on, I only applied to Salem U,” Tate said. Tate said he had been accepted. “After rehab, I never really got my grades back on track,” Tate said. Holly’s smile disappeared.

“Right. Because of me,” Holly said. Holly told Tate that she still felt bad about it, but Tate said he would do the same thing if they had to do it all over again. “I would do anything for you. I hope you know that,” Tate said. “I used to,” Holly whispered. Holly urged Tate to return to Sophia. Tate congratulated Holly on college, and he wished her luck with her salutatorian speech. They hugged one another.

At the Brady Pub, Doug III shuffled through the mail. “What the hell is this?” Doug said as he saw an envelope with his name on it. When Doug opened the envelope, inside were photos of Holly and Ari and a note which read, “It’s be a shame if something happened to those pretty faces.”

At the Bistro, Gabi was texting Ari as Will arrived. Will apologized for his lateness. “It’s okay. I’m just really glad you’re here,” Gabi said. Gabi offered her condolences to Will about John. “He was an amazing man,” Gabi said. “Yes, he was. And even though part of me is upset that Ari took off to Salem without any warning, I’m glad she got to say goodbye to him, and I’m glad you got to spend her birthday with her,” Will said. Ari walked in, and she apologized for her lateness. With a chuckle, Will noted that he had also been late.

“We’re just really glad we can all be together like this,” Will said. “It’s been far too long,” Gabi said as she took her daughter’s hand. Over dinner, Ari noted that she had been enjoying being back in Salem. “Ari’s been having a swell time. It’s me who has been worried to death,” Gabi muttered. “Can we not go there again?” Ari said with exasperation. Will told Ari that he agreed with Gabi. Gabi asked Will if Ari had ever snuck out in Arizona. Will admitted that Ari had broken curfew on several occasions.

“Seriously, do you guys know that I’m 18?” Ari complained. Gabi argued that Ari was not an adult until she paid her own bills. “If you want to be treated like an adult, you have to face adult consequences,” Will said. While Ari went to the bathroom, Gabi asked Will if this had been his experience with Ari the last few years. “Aren’t you sorry you’ve missed it?” Will asked. Gabi smirked.

At the Hernandez house, Javi and Leo kissed as they stumbled into the house. Doug knocked as he walked into the house without an invitation. “Thank god you’re at home!” Doug said. Doug explained that he had an emergency. With a nod at Leo, Javi said he would wait in the other room so that Leo could talk to Doug. Doug showed Leo the envelope he had received.

“This is bad,” Leo said. “No kidding. I hate to ask this, but could you give me another loan? Just to get this creep to back off?” Doug asked. Leo noted that he did not have a lot, but that he could offer some money to Doug. With a relieved sigh, Doug thanked Leo. “You’re lucky my boyfriend’s do-gooder nature is rubbing off on me,” Leo said. Leo told Doug that he had lead on the necklace.

“So, how did you get into this mess again?” Leo asked. Doug explained that he had delivered material to a fence, and that someone had stolen the delivery out of his car. “So you were on the hook for the stolen merchandise, you needed money and fast because these guys were scary and wanted to be paid back right away. Have I got that right?” Leo asked. Doug said yes. As Doug left, Ari called his phone. Doug rejected the call.

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