On the Friday, July 3, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, Shawn and Jada went on their first date, Abe watched Paulina and her family celebrate Trey’s birthday from afar, Roman told Marlena about his separation, and Johnny snuck into Sarah’s office on EJ’s instruction.
The Dating Game
Shawn invited Jada on a date with him for the Fourth of July. Shawn said he had been looking forward to taking Jada out, but he also wanted to thank her for all she had done to help him recover from his injury.
At the penthouse, Belle told Marlena about her dinner date with Chad at the Bistro. Marlena filled Belle in on EJ’s visit with Rachel and how he had told Rachel that he forgave her for the shooting. With a sigh, Marlena noted that she was concerned that EJ had an ulterior motive. Belle agreed, but she also noted it was possible EJ cared about Rachel.
In the square, Lexie was staring at the Horton plaque when Chad greeted her. Lexie thanked Chad for looking after Theo while she had been gone. When Lexie asked Chad to stay close with her son and look after him, a curious Chad asked if something was wrong.
Lexie lied and said no. Lexie explained that she hoped that Theo would continue to listen to advice from the more moral side of the family. Chad told Lexie that she did not need to worry because Theo always did the right thing.
In the Bistro, Shawn was complimenting Jada’s eyes, when Belle walked in with Chad. Shawn waved hello. Chad asked Belle if she was okay, and Belle said she was happy that Shawn was moving on. At Shawn’s table, he told Jada that he was happy that Belle had moved on with the good DiMera brother. Shawn added that both Belle and Chad deserved to be happy. “They probably feel the same way about us,” Shawn said as he squeezed Jada’s hand.
Belle took a photo of Shawn for Claire. Shawn encouraged Belle to send a photo of herself to Claire as well since she “looked so beautiful.” Chad agreed. After Chad and Belle retreated to their table, Jada suggested they take dessert home so that they could be alone.
At Chad and Belle’s table, Chad asked about Marlena. Belle admitted that she had told Marlena that Paul was working on the chess box, but not them. Chad agreed that they needed to be cautious in case Stefano had set a trap. Chad gave Claire a pair of tickets to see a string quartet playing Verdi.
Happy First on the Fourth!
Johnny was wrapping a birthday present for Trey at home when EJ called to tell him that tests had confirmed that Holly was suffering from arsenic poisoning from the tainted batch of Coriseal. Chanel overheard Johnny arguing on the phone. Johnny stammered that he had been talking about business, but Chanel was suspicious. Johnny promised that he was ready to focus on Chanel and Trey. Johnny asked about Chanel, so she admitted that she was not only feeling better, but that she had more energy.
In the park, Theo told Abe about a birthday party for Trey in the square. Abe realized that he had not been invited. Abe said he understood why it would have been awkward to have him at the party. Abe admitted he regretted how he had handled the situation and that he still had feelings for Paulina. Theo said he loved Paulina too.
After Chad left, Lexie sat at a table as she waited for Abe and Theo to return with dinner from the food truck. Lani noticed her and asked Lexie if she was okay. Lexie said she was a little tired physically and emotionally seeing Theo as an adult. “Once a mom,” Lexie said. “Always a mom,” Lani finished. Lexie smiled. Lexie asked Lani not to mention to Abe that she had been tired because she did not want him to worry.
When Abe and Theo returned, Abe suggested they take their food to a less crowded spot. Lani insisted they stay in the square near the Horton plaque. Behind Lexie, Paulina arrived in the square with Chanel and Johnny for Trey’s birthday party. Lexie turned and saw the family. Theo asked Lexie if she would mind if he joined them for Trey’s birthday party. Lexie gave her blessing. Abe asked Lexie if she still wanted to stay in the square, and she said there was room for everyone.
While Chanel and Theo went into the bakery to get the cake, Paulina glanced across the square at Abe. After Lani joined the party, Abe continued to glance across the square at his family enjoying the day without him. Paulina reminded the group that it was Lani and Eli’s sixth wedding anniversary, and the family cheered. While Chanel and Paulina left to change Trey’s diaper, Theo returned to check on Lexie.
When Theo rejoined his parents, Abe and Lexie talked about Theo’s first birthday party. Lexie talked about how lovingly Theo had looked at her when she held him. “Like I was your whole world,” Lexie said as she started to cry. Lexie hugged Theo.
When Chanel and Paulina returned from the bathroom, Lani told them Johnny had stepped away to take a business call from Kuala Lumpur. Chanel reminded an annoyed Paulina that Johnny was catching up on work after taking time off for Chanel’s treatment. After Chanel left with Trey, Paulina looked over at Abe. Lani hugged Paulina and told her she loved her.
Separations and Celebrations
On the way to Trey’s birthday party, Marlena stopped by the pub to check on Roman. Roman opened up about his separation from Kate. Roman told Marlena that he had given Kate’s room to Ari and forced the issue. When Roman mentioned that Kate had moved back to the Kiriakis mansion, Marlena noted that it made sense. Roman argued that after Kate had gone after Johnny, he could not help but feel like the Kiriakis family was plotting more together. Marlena cautioned Roman not to look too deeply into Kate’s living situation. With a shake of his head, Roman admitted he did not know how to move on with or without Kate.
As the fireworks went off over Salem, Shawn and Jada made love in her apartment. Abe and Lexie watched the sky from a bench in the town square. Outside the Bistro, Chad and Belle kissed as the fireworks exploded overhead. Roman and Marlena walked over from the pub and they ran into Paulina, who told them the party had already ended. Paulina joined them for the fireworks. At the hospital, Johnny snuck into Sarah’s office with gloved hands. After Johnny finished doing EJ’s bidding, he returned home to Chanel and Trey.
What do you think EJ had Johnny do? Will Lexie push for an Abe and Paulina reunion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Edited by Hope Campbell