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In Rafe’s office, he tells Cat she did a hell of a job leading them to the DiMera crypt, which allowed Theo to get the care he needed in time. They discuss being off base, thinking EJ was behind the kidnappings, but with EJ leaving town because of Sydney, Cat says she can poke around the lab to see what he’s up to there.

Rafe becomes concerned about Sydney, and she relays that the girl has been having panic attacks even since EJ went missing. Rafe explains his concern comes from Sydney being his step-daughter for so many years.

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They get to other business: Cat has a copy of Stefan’s death certificate from Vivian, which she just filed. They both find her waiting three months convenient, as if maybe Stefan faked his death. Rafe hopes for his sister’s sake that Stefan is dead.

They are still working to identify the bones, which belong to a male who has been dead between one and ten years. Rafe realizes it’s getting late, and he has to get to Javi’s wedding, where he might get a drunk Leo to spill the beans on what he knows about EJ.

Delivering the Bad News

Gabi stops by the DiMera mansion, where Gwen is boozing it up. She’s excited to see the dress Gabi made for her to wear to the wedding. Gabi reveals she didn’t finish the dress, and breaks the news to her that Stefan might be dead.

Gabi says Vivian claims he died back in October, and everything points to it being true. Apparently, Jake’s heart gave out. Gwen pours herself another drink and says she loved Jake a great deal once. She tells Gabi not to worry about the dress, as she’ll find something else to wear. Gabi tries to offer her comfort, but Gwen harshly tells her to go as she must get ready.

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Later, Gwen takes a call from EJ and promises him that she and Rita will hold down the fort. She says she heard about Stefan and is sorry. After she gets off the phone, she mutters about how the next time she speaks to EJ, he’ll know what she’s about to do… Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, in her opinion.

Marlena Plays Pub Psychiatrist

At the pub, Arianna is glad to see Marlena out of the hospital, but admits she is dreading the wedding because of Leo.

Arianna vents to her grandmother about everything Leo did to her dads. Marlena says she hasn’t forgotten, but she’s forgiven Leo because of the man he’s become. Ari knows even her dads have forgiven him, so why can’t she? Marlena notes it is hard to forgive someone who has hurt the people you love.

Lucas interrupts and tells Ari to listen to her great-grandma. Lucas is heading out to the airport, so Ari walks him out.

Outside, Lucas talks to Ari about Leo, whom he’s not a fan of, either, but holding onto her anger will only hurt her. Lucas says she should go to the wedding, have a good time, and be happy for Javi.

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Johnny Is Honest With Chanel

At their apartment, Chanel and Johnny are dealing with a teething, unhappy baby. Chanel suggests she stay home with the baby and he go to the wedding, making Johnny feel as if she doesn’t want to be around him. She admits she is upset with him, as she knows he’s not happy that she’s pregnant.

Johnny says he’s not unhappy; he’s scared because the doctors said this could be dangerous. Johnny says they have a beautiful, healthy baby, and he and Trey need her. If it were up to him… Chanel tells him to spit it out. Johnny admits he wouldn’t go ahead with the pregnancy. Chanel is shattered.

Johnny feels they need to listen to the doctors, and if there is the slightest chance her cancer could come back, then this pregnancy isn’t worth it. Chanel says this is her body, and their baby is growing inside of her, so it is worth it to her.

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Wedding Day Jitters?

Leo and Javi are in bed, and Leo says everything is ready for them at The Salem Inn. Leo realizes it’s getting late, and he has to meet with Marlena for some last-minute preparations, including his vows, which he’s nervous about. He admits his last two marriages have been for blackmail and a green card, and perhaps he doesn’t deserve to be happy.

Javi tells Leo, “Snap out of it!” He’s spiraling, and they can’t have that today. Javi points out that Leo’s mistakes have made him the man he is and led Leo to him. Javi tells him to see Marlena, and he’ll see them both at the altar.

Ari returns to the pub and her grandma when Leo arrives. The young woman takes off, and Leo knows she doesn’t like him, and she’s probably right not to. Leo cries that he’s going to break Javi’s heart and revert to his no-good, scheming ways. He thinks perhaps not marrying Javi is how to show him how much he loves him.

Leo goes into a full-blown panic attack, and Marlena says being nervous before a wedding is normal. Roman brings him a shot to calm him, and Leo decides to go outside and Zen out. Marlena tells him not to be late for the ceremony.

Once alone, Roman suggests to Marlena a friendly bet on whether Leo will get hitched or not.

Family Bonding Time

At the Hernandez home, Javi is in the kitchen alone, talking to his mom up in heaven, hoping she approves of him and Leo.

Ari arrives home and finds Javi baking his mom’s special wedding cookies. He asks if she’s still coming, given how she feels about Leo. Ari says if Leo makes him happy, then she’s happy. They embrace.

Gabi joins them and has Javi’s something old, borrowed, new and blue. She has an old photo of their parents visiting their relatives in Mexico. His something new and blue is a pocket square she made. His something borrowed is her mother’s pumpkin empanada recipe.

Javi tells Ari and Gabi he’s so grateful they are a part of his happy day, and they hug.

In the Show’s Final Moments

Rafe joins his family in the kitchen and also has something for Javi, it’s their tradition of the thirteen gold coins, which are in a bag. Giving them to Leo is a sign that Javi trusts Leo with his heart. They have another family hug.

At the pub, Marlena tells Roman he’s incorrigible. Roman is teasing and thinks Leo will get through this wedding. Marlena hopes she will, too, as she’ll be alone at midnight, and it’s the beginning of a New Year without John. Roman reminds her that they all love her and will be here for her.

At home, Chanel tells Johnny, “My body, my choice!” She says she’s going to try to get Trey to settle down, and she wants him to go to the wedding as she needs space.

As the clock approaches 10:00 pm, everyone begins to file into Horton Square. Gwen seems to be on the lookout for someone.

The Hernandez clan arrives, and Javi gets a call from Johnny to say Trey isn’t feeling well, so they won’t be coming. Javi understands and then continues to worry that Leo isn’t here yet.

Marlena runs into Gwen, and soon Ari and Gabi join the women. Marlena wonders where Leo is… Nobody has apparently seen or heard from him. Marlena gasps, “Oh dear…”