Days of our Lives Recap, September 10, 2025: Maggie and Julie bond over their grief

On Days of our Lives today, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Steve turns down Stephanie’s request, Shawn and Belle reconnect, and Theo shares both awkward and warm reunions with loved ones.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

In Horton Town Square, JJ saw Theo and gave his friend a big hug. When Theo pulled back and noticed JJ’s badge, though, his smile faltered. JJ tried to catch up with Theo and asked about their company. Theo surprised JJ by revealing he’d sold his stake in the company, but offered no further details. Theo then said he had to go and made an abrupt exit, leaving JJ taken aback by his former business partner's standoffish attitude.

At Stephanie’s apartment, Steve arrived to an angry daughter. Stephanie lambasted Steve for agreeing to drop the investigation into Titan-DiMera and then reneging on the deal. When Stephanie accused Steve of planting the bug, he swore his innocence and called it a “rookie move.” He informed Stephanie that he’d returned his client’s retainer and had removed himself from the case. Stephanie told Steve about Xander’s demands to uncover the perp’s identity, and she pleaded with Steve to disclose his client’s name.

Steve remained steadfast that he couldn’t or wouldn’t out his client. Stephanie eventually said she understood, and father and daughter reassured each other of their love before Steve departed.

Later, Stephanie met with cousin JJ for a birthday dinner at The Bistro. After the two caught up, JJ told Stephanie about his strange run-in with Theo. Stephanie attributed Theo’s demeanor to jetlag, and JJ agreed that it must be it.

The conversation turned to Jack and Jennifer’s recent arrival in town. JJ admitted he’d be relieved when his parents left because of the “smothering” and the “unspoken pressure” he felt as their only surviving child. Stephanie could relate to smothering parents, and she reflected on the “tense” conversation she’d just had with Steve. She worried that by helping Alex with a problem, she’d end up throwing her dad “under the bus.” JJ promised he was on hand if Stephanie needed any assistance.

At the Brady Pub, Kayla joined Marlena at a table and filled her friend in on a surprising meeting she’d had with EJ. Kayla had been pleasantly shocked that EJ had suggested opening a free clinic with Tom Horton’s name attached, but she couldn’t help feeling the offer was “too good to be true.” She was exhausted from questioning EJ’s motives, however, and could only hope that EJ had the best intentions in mind.

When Kayla asked how Marlena was doing, Marlena confessed she was still having dreams about Stefano. The exhaustion from the dreams – combined with her overwhelming worries about her family – was preventing her from focusing on her grief. Marlena opened up about her reservations concerning grief support counseling. “I don’t know who I am anymore,” she sighed. Kayla attempted to sing Marlena’s praises, but the words didn’t seem to resonate with her friend.

Steve soon joined the ladies and chatted with them about Kristen’s sentencing and Tate’s entry into college. Steve tensed when Marlena commented on Tate moving on from the adoption. Shortly thereafter, Marlena announced she would be turning in early for the night and made her exit. Once they were alone, Kayla asked about Steve’s conversation with Stephanie. He provided a short version of the encounter and declared Stephanie had “a difficult decision to make.”

At the police station, Shawn and Belle were finishing up a meeting about a case. Shawn checked in with his ex on a personal level and assured her he would be there if she wanted to talk about anything. He defended her when she tried to shoulder the blame for her life disasters, especially in the romance department. “My heart did get it right one time,” Belle conceded while she gazed at Shawn. He concurred with the sentiment, as he felt the same way about her.

Shawn and Belle reminisced about their good times, which got them to talking about Claire. Belle intended to visit their daughter soon so that she could comfort her daughter about the breakup with Theo. Shawn caught Belle off-guard when he disclosed that Claire was deeply involved with another guy…and the relationship had apparently begun before Claire had broken up with Theo.

When Belle started to go off on what a bad example they – and specifically she – had set in the infidelity department, Shawn urged her not to take the blame for Claire’s choices, too. He reminded her they had been good parents. Shawn agreed with Belle that they’d always be bonded as parents and would be a support system for each other. The exes sealed the vow with a hug.

At The Bistro, Paulina raised a toast to the end of Johnny’s trial and to Kristen’s prison sentence. Abe sympathized with Rachel losing her mother, which made Paulina and him lament being separated from their own children. Abe then updated Paulina on his plans to become a reading tutor through a literacy program the bookstore was conducting. She suggestively advised that he get a jumpstart on his tutoring skills by helping her read One Stormy Night.

Later, at Abe and Paulina’s place, the couple prepared for their “reading” session, but a knock at the door interrupted them. Abe answered it and saw his son standing on the other side; he was overjoyed and embraced Theo. Abe and Paulina fussed over the prodigal son after he walked inside. He claimed he hadn’t told anyone he was coming because he knew that Abe liked “surprises.” When Paulina left to fetch food for Theo, Abe asked his son how he was really doing.

Theo said he’d needed a “change of scenery” following his break-up with Claire. Paulina returned with the food, and Theo revealed to the couple that Claire had cheated on him. The end of the relationship had made him realize that nothing was left for him in South Africa. Paulina excitedly asked if Theo would be staying in Salem, but he claimed he was unsure.

Abe and Paulina took Theo on a tour of their new home. Paulina insisted that Theo stay with them as long as he wanted. Theo thanked her and stated he’d be glad for the company.

At the Horton House, Maggie and Julie returned from a grief support meeting. Julie mentioned that she’d invited Marlena, but the doctor had apparently declined. Maggie confided that she felt lonely at the Kiriakis mansion since everyone who lived there was either busy, had moved out, or was out of town. Julie assured Maggie she’d be there to talk, especially the following day, as it was the anniversary of Victor’s funeral. Julie had remembered that Maggie marked Victor’s passing by his funeral date since she didn’t know exactly when his plane had crashed; her friend’s thoughtfulness caused Maggie to tear up.

Julie admitted that while she had so much for which to be thankful, a part of her wanted to “crawl under the covers” when Thanksgiving arrived. Maggie comforted her by proclaiming her family would support Julie no matter how she chose to deal with the anniversary of Doug’s death. Maggie also confided that she’d continued going to grief counseling for Mickey’s death even after she had married Victor. The sessions had helped her confront the guilt she felt for moving on from Mickey.

Julie didn’t believe those feelings would be a concern for her because she intended to keep “only” Doug in her heart "forever." Julie affirmed the bookstore would keep her connected to the town. Moments with families and friends would fill her time, just as they had with her Grandma Alice.

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Later, as a music montage played, a smiling Belle and Marlena walked arm-in-arm through Horton Town Square, Maggie looked lovingly at pictures of Victor and Mickey at the Kiriakis mansion, and – back at the Horton House – Julie danced with and tightly hugged Doug’s photograph.

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