As Stephanie leaves Everett’s Salem Inn room, a rumpled Leo, in his clothes from the day before, shuffles down the hallway. His scandal senses tingle, but she tells him it’s not what he’s thinking. Also, where she spends the night is her business. “And maybe Lady Whistleblower’s,” he cheekily adds.
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At the DiMera mansion, Stefan looks at a photo of Gabi on his phone from their wedding day. He sighs that she made him remember his love for her a year ago today. He wonders how they ended up here as a chipper Johnny enters the living room for coffee. He tells his surly uncle that he and Chanel are getting married on Valentine’s Day. Stefan can’t muster excitement for someone getting married when his wife is in federal prison. Johnny knows that sucks, but doesn’t he have a thing with Ava Vitali? “That is none of your damn business,” Stefan growls.
Chanel prepares her Sweet Bits table in the Square as Kayla comes by on the way home from the hospital. Since they’re not open yet, Chanel says her order’s not quite done. But while she waits, she can admire her engagement ring. Kayla calls Johnny a lucky man and assumes Paulina is thrilled. Chanel confirms as it’s giving her something to focus on other than her illness.
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When Sarah discovers her new patient is Paulina, she suggests an ultrasound. She then asks if she’d like her to call Chanel. “Absolutely not!” Paulina exclaims. As Sarah preps her, she gently states if her mother were being admitted to the hospital, she’d want to support her. She asks again if she can call Chanel.
At the Salem Inn, Stephanie declares she and Everett are just colleagues and friends. When Leo doesn’t back off, she threatens to have him fired. Relenting, he stumbles away, but returns after Stephanie leaves. He knocks on the door. When Everett opens it, Leo babbles about Stephanie, prompting Everett to usher him away so they can talk.
Chanel grins as Stephanie exits the Salem Inn. The baker gives her coffee, assuring Stephanie that her business is her business. Stephanie thanks her for not grilling her about her love life and then notices her engagement ring. She gushes over it as Chanel gets a call from the hospital.
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After Stephanie walks away, Everett and Leo (with suddenly perfectly coiffed hair) leave the hotel. As Leo makes Everett pay for breakfast, the newsman warns he better not see his and Stephanie’s name in his column. Especially since no hanky panky was involved. When Leo remarks he’d hanky Everett’s panky, Everett asks why he hits on every guy he comes across. Leo insists he only does it to the hot ones. Everett thinks he’s using humor to hide deep-rooted pain and suggests he see a therapist. Before they leave, Leo pinky swears that everything Everett shared with him is strictly classified.
With Tripp still at work, Ava suggests she and Wendy have a woman-to-woman chat at the apartment. She makes them coffee and accusatorily asks if Wendy is truly serious about Tripp. Wendy resents her insinuation. Ava has to wonder if she’s just using Tripp as a safe place in the wake of her brother’s death. Wendy warns she’s crossing the line. Ava may be, but she’s just looking out for her son’s best interests.
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After changing into her pajamas at home, Kayla slides into bed next to a sleeping Steve. He startles awake and tells her about his night with John and how they don’t trust Konstantin. She urges him to go back to sleep, but he can’t because he smells the banana muffins she brought home.
Steve eats in bed as they hear the front door open. Stephanie comes to their room when they call out to her. After quick chit-chat, Stephanie goes to get a muffin from the kitchen. Steve quizzically turns to Kayla. “Is she just getting home?”
At the mansion, Stefan forcefully declares he loves his wife. Johnny points out he kissed Ava right there in the living room — in front of Chad. Stefan tells his nephew things aren’t always black and white. Maybe when he grows up, he’ll understand. Johnny wonders at what age he gets the memo that you can justify cheating on your wife. He isn’t judging. He just doesn’t understand what Stefan’s doing to Gabi and hopes he can live with where this is going. Stefan does too and storms out.
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At the apartment, Wendy emphatically tells Ava that she and Tripp love each other. She won’t suffer the third degree from her or anyone else. When Ava’s phone rings, Wendy sees that it’s Harris. Ava says to let it ring. Since they’re being direct, Wendy asks if Ava is in love with Harris, Stefan, or both. Ava doesn’t like being interrogated either, so she won’t dignify that with a response. “We good?” she dryly asks. “Sure,” Wendy flatly responds and leaves the room.
Ava ignores another call from Harris. But when it rings again, she answers by yelling, “Harris! Give it a rest will you?” However, it’s Stefan on the other end, warning her against talking to the detective. After they bicker about Harris, they hurl insults at each other, bordering on flirtation. Ava taunts him about what she’s going to do in her bubble bath before hanging up. Flustered, Stefan unbuttons his collar.
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When Chanel gets to Paulina’s hospital room, Johnny joins them for extra support. Sarah tells them they’ll have the ultrasound results in the next few days.
After changing into pajamas, Stephanie returns to her parents’ bedroom with the muffins. When Kayla falls asleep, Stephanie recalls that as a kid, she’d wait in Kayla’s bed for her to come home from the hospital. Steve wishes he hadn’t missed so many years with her. Stephane notes it was hard, but having him there now makes her appreciate it so much more. Steve worries about her. Detecting what he’s getting at, Stephanie confirms she was with Everett, but nothing happened, and she’s not rushing into a relationship. He’s glad she’s taking it slow, but if it feels right, she shouldn’t let anyone keep her from going for it. When Everett calls her, Stephanie leaves the room grinning. Steve pensively sits on the bed, staring after her.
Next on Days of Our Lives, Johnny and Chanel plan their wedding, and Brady gets called out.
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Check out the Jane Austen-inspired movies added to Hallmark’s February lineup in the photo gallery below!
