Days of Our Lives (DOOL) spoilers recap for Wednesday, December 23, reveal that Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) stood in the doorway of Nicole Brady’s (Arianne Zucker) apartment.
Nicole explained that she was expecting Eric Brady (Greg Vaughan), and Rafe said that he’d only be a minute and that he brought homemade Christmas cookies by.
Soon, Nicole’s phone rang, and it was Eric calling to say that his plane was stranded in Ethiopia. Nicole was disappointed, but she invited Rafe to stay for dinner, which he did.
Afterwards, Rafe happily changed and sang Henry Horton (Jayna and Kinsley Fox) to sleep, then Nicole sampled the cookies that Rafe brought. After some talk about his breakup with Hope Brady (Kristian Alfonso), Rafe took off.
At the Salem PD, Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) was working when Doug Williams (Bill Hayes) walked in to persuade him to come to the Horton Christmas tree trimming.
Eli balked, since he and Lani Price-Grant (Sal Stowers) weren’t getting along, and Doug said that Lani wasn’t coming. Eli reluctantly agreed to go, and he and Doug rushed off.
Meanwhile, at Lani and Eli’s apartment, Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) arrived to convince Lani to come to the Horton Christmas tree trimming. Lani said that she was staying home tonight, and Julie said that Eli wouldn’t be there, since he had to work late tonight. Lani eventually agreed to accompany Julie.
At Ben Weston’s (Robert Scott Wilson) new apartment, Claire Brady (Isabel Durant) stopped by. Ben explained that this was Jake DiMera’s (Brandon Barash) old place.
Claire had a gift for Ben – it was his Christmas ornament for the Horton Christmas tree. Claire suggested that Ben come to the Horton house, and she said that they were Ben’s family now and always.
Claire said that it might make Ben feel connected to Ciara Weston (Victoria Konefal) if Ben came to the tree trimming. Ben balked, but Claire said that they could get through this together, and Ben seemed touched. “Ok,” Ben said.
At the Horton house, Jennifer Deveraux (Cady McClain) opened her present from Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford), which was an hourglass. Jennifer read the card to Allie Horton (Lindsay Arnold), which said: “Dear Jennifer Rose – I wish I could turn back time, but I can’t change the past, only the future.
I waited a year for you to come back to me last time, and I will wait as long as it takes this time because I’m never giving up on you.”
Eli and Doug arrived shortly after, followed by Julie and Lani. Lani and Eli immediately realized that they had been set up, and Doug and Julie winked at each other. Claire and Ben arrived, and they talked with Allie about how when a bell dings that means an angel gets her wings.
Meanwhile, Lani and Eli decided to go outside to talk privately. Once outside, Eli apologized for going behind Lani’s back about Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk), and Lani apologized for shutting Eli out at the hospital.
Inside the house, Jennifer told Julie that she was wrong about Jack and Kate DiMera (Lauren Koslow) still being involved. Julie hoped that there was a chance that Jennifer could forgive Jack now.
Julie and Doug then went to see what was keeping Eli and Lani, and when they opened the door, they spied Eli and Lani kissing happily. Julie and Doug were thrilled.
Next, it was time for ornaments, and the Tom Horton (MacDonald Carey) and Alice Horton (Frances Reid) ornaments hung prominently on the tree. Doug and Julie thanked everyone for being there and Ben looked touched as Julie said it was a time to remember those they’d lost.
After a toast to Tom and Alice, Doug and Julie put their ornaments on the tree, followed by the others.
The camera panned over everyone’s ornaments, including those of Bo Brady (Peter Reckell), Hope, Lucas Horton (Bryan Dattilo), Will Horton (Chandler Massey), Mickey Horton (John Clarke), and Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey).
Julie urged Jennifer to put Jack’s ornament on the tree, which Jennifer did, next to hers. Soon, it was time for Ciara’s ornament, and Doug asked if Ben would help him put it on the tree.
But Ben became overwhelmed and said he was sorry but that he couldn’t, and he walked out of the room. Eli and Lani were next, and suddenly Lani’s water broke. Later, Ben returned to find Claire in the room alone.
Claire explained that Lani went into labor and so everyone took off. Ben apologized for not being able to hang Ciara’s ornament.
Claire understood, and she gave Ben some privacy. Ben went to hang Ciara’s ornament by himself, and suddenly, Ciara’s hand reached out and helped Ben. “It’s ok, Ben,” Ciara said. “We can do it together.”
Ben told Ciara that he missed her and that he didn’t know how to live without her. “Yes, you do, Ben, because I’m right here,” Ciara said.
Ben and Ciara kissed, and then a bell dinged. Claire came in the room, and Ben said that he could feel Ciara’s presence there. “Merry Christmas, Ciara. I love you,” Ben said, touching Ciara’s ornament on the tree. “Always and forever.”
Back at Nicole’s apartment, Allie returned and told Nicole about Lani going into labor. Allie wondered why Nicole wasn’t with Eric, and Nicole explained about Eric being stranded in Ethiopia. Meanwhile, in town square, Rafe left a voicemail message for Hope, telling her Merry Christmas.
And finally, Lani got settled into a bed at University Hospital. Eli fussed over Lani, asking what she needed. Lani thought that some music might help. Just then, Doug and Julie entered the room and said that they could provide the music.
Doug and Julie proceeded to sing Joy To The World as Lani kept having labor pains.
There’s certainly a lot going on right now on Days of Our Lives, so stay tuned! We’ll give you updates as DOOL news comes in. Stick with the NBC soap and don’t forget to check CDL frequently for the latest Days of Our Lives spoilers, daily episode recaps, and news.