At the Brady Pub, Rafe and Will found Johnny hiding under one of the tables. Rafe excitedly tried to call Sami, but the call went straight to voicemail. Will suggested that Sami's battery might have died.

Later, Rafe noted that someone needed to inform E.J. that Johnny was all right. Will volunteered, and he told Rafe to take Johnny back to the apartment. "Listen, Rafe, I know my mom was really upset earlier, but, um, you don't realize that her life was such a mess before you met her, and you've given us a real family, and I just want to thank you for that," Will added, then he exited the pub.

At the Horton Town Square, Nicole greeted Brady and Madison. "I know that Caroline is helping with Sydney, but, um...I'm pretty sure that Sami doesn't want me anywhere near her, but if there's anything I can do to help," Nicole said. Madison wondered why Sydney was not with E.J. Nicole explained that E.J. had given Sami full custody of Sydney and Johnny. "E.J. and Sami hate each other's guts," Nicole added.

Later, Brady asked Nicole about E.J.'s campaign. Nicole explained that E.J. had temporarily suspended the campaign due to Johnny's disappearance. Nicole added that Abe had graciously agreed to do the same thing. Brady pointedly stated that E.J. would not have been as kind if the situation had been reversed.

Brady warned Nicole that she was falling into E.J.'s trap again. Nicole insisted that she was just helping E.J. with his campaign, but Brady wasn't convinced. Madison interrupted, and she offered to leave so that Brady and Nicole could have some privacy.

Brady and Nicole apologized for arguing in front of Madison. Brady said that he wanted to check in with Rafe, and he quickly excused himself. After Brady left, Nicole insisted that she wasn't interested in Brady. Madison shrugged and said that she would never be able to have a personal relationship with Brady, because they were business partners.

Nicole laughed, but she quickly realized that Madison was serious. Nicole pointed out that the workplace was a convenient place to meet people. Madison noted that it was also a convenient place to rekindle an old flame. Nicole wondered if Madison was talking about Nicole's relationship with E.J. "You defended him to Brady, and when you did, your eyes got all glassy and shiny," Madison explained.

Madison offered to shut up, but Nicole realized that she needed to hear what Madison was saying. "You don't know me, or E.J., or our ugly, sordid history together, which makes you a neutral observer without an agenda, and I don't know many of those," Nicole admitted.

"I asked E.J. to sign divorce papers. He didn't want to. I basically insisted. I was done. I'm telling you, I didn't want to divorce E.J. on a whim -- I meant it. I got the papers, and I hassled him to sign them," Nicole explained. Madison guessed that Nicole had immediately regretted that decision. "Like too many martinis after midnight," Nicole dryly stated.

At the DiMera mansion, E.J. and Sami expressed their grief with a kiss. E.J. pinned Sami against the wall, and she angrily ripped his shirt off. E.J. carried Sami over to the couch, and they started to have sex, unaware that Will was knocking on the front door.

Outside, Will rummaged in his pocket for his set of keys, and he let himself into the mansion. As Will passed the living room door, he caught a glimpse of Sami and E.J. having sex on the couch. Will stared in disbelief for a moment, then he quickly stumbled out of the mansion. Will bumped into a table in the foyer on his way to the front door, and he loudly closed the door behind him.

E.J. and Sami heard the noise, and they quickly pulled away from each other as they realized what they were doing. E.J. poured himself a glass of whiskey, and he started to cry as he looked at one of Johnny's photographs. Meanwhile, Sami found her phone, and she realized that the battery had fallen out of it during her argument with E.J.

Sami saw that Rafe had left her a message. Sami turned on the speakerphone so that she and E.J. could listen to the message together. "Sami, hey -- it's me. I have amazing news. Will and I found Johnny at the pub. He's totally okay, and we're gonna bring him home, so...meet us there. I love you," Rafe's message announced. After a moment of stunned silence, Sami grabbed her purse and quickly rushed out of the room.

At Sami and Rafe's apartment, Brady was thrilled to see Johnny. Rafe explained that Johnny had been hiding in the pub the whole time. "Well, next time we play 'hide and go seek,' I want you on my team, okay?" Brady joked. After Johnny left the room, Brady wondered if Sami had heard the false report about Johnny's death. Rafe said that he wasn't sure, and he admitted that he was worried about Sami.

Rafe explained that Sami had lashed out at him earlier. "Sami is not gonna blame you, all right? She lashed out because she was terrified. Sami always talks before she thinks. When she finds out that Johnny is okay, everything will be fine," Brady assured Rafe. Brady excused himself so that he could let his team of investigators know that they could stop looking for Johnny.

Brady opened the front door, and he found Will standing in the hallway. Will's face was puffy and red, and Brady and Rafe could tell that something was wrong. Brady told Will that he was glad that Johnny was all right, and Will silently nodded. Brady shrugged at Rafe, then he exited the apartment.

After Brady left, Rafe wondered if Will was all right. Rafe assumed that E.J. had said something rude to Will, but Will explained that he had not talked to E.J. Rafe realized that Will was probably just worried about Sami, and he admitted that he was worried about Sami, too. "Yeah...you love my mom, and you look after all of us like we're your own kids," Will said.

Rafe stated without hesitation that Will, Johnny, Allie, and Sydney were his kids. Rafe offered to call the police station to see if they could send someone to search for Sami. "I'm sure she's okay, Rafe. Mom always takes care of Mom, and this will not be any different," Will said with a heavy sigh. Rafe said that he was just worried that Sami might have heard the false report about Johnny's death.

"So...instead of waiting to hear from you...to confirm or whatever, she just disappears -- after she blamed you for what happened at the pub?" Will asked. Rafe admitted that he shouldn't have asked Sami to take the kids to the pub, and he admitted that Sami had every right to blame him for that mistake. "She doesn't! She never takes the blame herself for anything! Why do you always make excuses for her?" Will asked.

Before Rafe could respond, Sami rushed into the apartment, and she called out for Johnny. Sami tearfully embraced Johnny, and Will watched the reunion with a dazed expression on his face. Sami laughed as Johnny told her that he had been hiding in the pub the whole time. "What were you doing in there, buddy? Drinking beer?" Rafe jokingly asked.

Back at the Horton Town Square, Brady told Madison and Nicole that Johnny was all right. Nicole rushed off to find E.J. After Nicole left, Madison removed one of the fliers that she had just posted. "I have never been so happy to have wasted three hours of my life," Madison jokingly stated. Brady hugged Madison, and he thanked her for her help.

Brady leaned in to kiss Madison, but Madison pulled away from him. Madison tried to change the subject, and she suggested that they needed to start removing the fliers. Brady grabbed Madison and leaned in to kiss her again, and Madison asked him to let her go. "What if...what if I don't let you go?" Brady asked, as he stared into Madison's eyes.

"You know what your problem is? You love to run the show, and I'm so bad at taking orders, so we're at an impasse here," Brady whispered to Madison, as she pulled away from him again. Madison claimed that she had just remembered that she needed to make a conference call to Paris. Brady pointed out that it was midnight in Paris. Madison corrected herself, and she said that she had meant to say Hong Kong. Madison said that she was glad that Johnny was all right, and she abruptly walked away.

At the DiMera mansion, Nicole managed to catch E.J. just as he was about to leave the mansion. E.J. explained that he was going over to Sami and Rafe's apartment to see Johnny, and he invited Nicole to accompany him.

Back at Sami and Rafe's apartment, Will noted that it was amazing that Rafe had managed to find Johnny. Will pointedly added that Sami owed Rafe a debt of gratitude. Before Sami could respond, Will offered to get Johnny ready for bed. Sami handed Johnny to Will. Will glared directly at Sami for a brief moment, then he silently carried Johnny into his bedroom.

After Will and Johnny left, Sami apologized to Rafe. Rafe assured Sami that he understood, but Sami insisted that she had done something horrible. "Honey, listen to me. What happened tonight -- every bad thing that happened -- doesn't matter. Nothing we said or did, none of that counts. The only thing that matters is that Johnny's safe. That's all that matters," Rafe said. Will watched as Sami tearfully embraced Rafe.

E.J. and Nicole arrived at the apartment, and Johnny rushed out to hug them. E.J. and Sami avoided eye contact, and Will stared blankly at his mother as he quietly watched from the corner of the room.

At the Salem Inn, Carrie worked on her laptop while Austin snuggled up against his wife. Carrie playfully pushed Austin away, and he urged her to get a bite to eat with him. Shaking her head, Carrie noted that she was not hungry but that she wanted Austin to go out while she finished preparing for John's case. Austin reluctantly agreed.

In their living room, Abigail gave Jennifer a pedicure. Abigail was thrilled to spend time alone with her mother for the first time since Jack had returned to town. As Abigail put on the final coat of polish, there was a knock at the door. Abigail opened the door to find Jack. Jack walked into the living room and announced, "I have something to say to you. And after I'm finished, you can kick me out if you like." Feeling awkward, Abigail excused herself and left the house.

Jack unfolded a piece of paper and read from it. Jack noted that he had behaved like a jerk and would do anything to win Jennifer back. "What I really feel like I owe you is complete honesty," Jack said. Jack noted that he had panicked in the cabin and avoided the situation by pretending to be asleep. Jack admitted that he was a coward. "As wrong as I am for you, I love you. I always have," Jack said. Shaking her head, Jennifer noted that the issue was not about love.

Jack swore to do whatever it took to be the man that Jennifer wanted. "It just feels like more of the same," Jennifer said with a sigh. Jack promised that he was different, but Jennifer disagreed. Shaking his head, Jack worried aloud whether Jennifer was keeping him at a distance because she had sensed the change in him. Jennifer noted that when she looked in Jack's eyes, she saw both the man she fell in love with and the man that had broken her heart.

"That man disappeared a long time ago. In a cave in Afghanistan," Jack whispered. "I don't even know who I am anymore. I am so lost," Jack said. "I need help," Jack added. Jack thanked Jennifer for spending time with him and offered to leave her alone. With a sigh, Jennifer gently noted that she already knew that Jack was a coward and afraid of confrontation. "What I didn't know, or maybe it's so horrible I don't want to know, is what you went through and how it destroyed you," Jennifer said quietly.

Jack explained that he did not want Jennifer to know what had happened to him. "It's not about me. It's not about us. It's about you. If you want to get better and be healthier, you have to do this for yourself. You can't do this for anyone else," Jennifer said.

In the town square, Austin ran into Abigail. Austin and Abigail chatted about their lives and got caught up. Abigail joined Austin at the cafe and talked about Chad. Abigail swore that Chad was not like the rest of the DiMera family, and chuckling, Austin admitted that Chad had to be different for Abigail to be interested in him. When Abigail shivered, Austin offered Abigail a wool hat to warm her up.

Carrie texted Austin to tell him that she was on her way to dinner. Austin asked Abigail to join them for dinner, but Abigail awkwardly excused herself and left. When Carrie arrived at the cafe, she apologized for making Austin eat his dinner alone. "My girl is here now. That's all that matters," Austin said as he kissed his wife's hand.

Abigail returned to her house, but she paused at the door to take off the hat that Austin had given her. With a sly smile, Abigail stared at the hat before going inside. Jennifer greeted Abigail at the door and asked her whether she had met up with Melanie. Abigail explained that she had spent some time alone, and Jack expressed worry that Abigail was out late alone. Jack hugged his daughter goodnight and left.

Noting the look of concern on Jennifer's face, Abigail asked her mother how her talk with Jack had gone. "Your dad is a complicated man," Jennifer joked. "No matter how hard I try to fight it, your dad always gets my heart racing," Jennifer admitted. Nodding, Abigail looked down at the wool hat in her hands.

At the loft, Sami curled up on the couch next to Rafe and talked about how awful Johnny's disappearance had been. Sami thanked Rafe for finding Johnny, and Rafe reassured Sami not to worry about their fight. "I love you, and nothing is ever gonna change that, all right?" Rafe said to Sami as he hugged her tight. From the bedroom hallway, Will looked into the living room and eavesdropped on the conversation.

Will thought about about what he had witnessed in E.J.'s living room. Shaken by the site of E.J. and his mother having sex, Will fought back tears. Over on the couch, Sami slept in Rafe's arms and dreamed about what she had done with E.J. in her grief over Johnny. When Sami woke with a start, Rafe worriedly asked her if she was okay. "I just felt sick for a second," Sami muttered. Rafe hugged Sami tightly and reminded her that Johnny was safe at home.

Rafe urged Sami to go to bed and rest. Still upset, Sami said she wanted to stay with Rafe. As Rafe held Sami, he noted that she was shaking. Will started to return to the bedroom when he heard Sami tell Rafe that she needed to tell him something. Will stopped to listen. "I hope you can forgive me," Sami said. "There is nothing to forgive. You've done nothing wrong. Nothing," Rafe said. As Sami hugged Rafe, Will sighed.

In the DiMera living room, E.J. and Nicole talked about Johnny's return home. Nicole thanked E.J. for letting her go with him to see Johnny. When E.J. remained quiet, Nicole urged E.J. to remember that Johnny was safe and fine. "It doesn't seem real," E.J. whispered. "I lost myself the night that I lost him," E.J. added. "That's the real you. I love you," Nicole said quietly. Shocked, E.J. gaped at Nicole. Nicole explained that Johnny's disappearance had reminded her how much she missed E.J.

"I can't breathe without you," Nicole said. As E.J. lowered his head, Nicole asked E.J. whether he had changed his mind about their relationship. Nicole promised not to hurt E.J. again. Relieved, E.J. grabbed Nicole and held her tight. When E.J. pulled away, Nicole could tell that something was bothering E.J. Nicole asked E.J. what was wrong, but he noted that he could not stop thinking about his son.

Worried, Nicole asked if she was too late. "I still love you," E.J. reassured Nicole and began to kiss her passionately. Preoccupied, E.J. pulled away and noted that he could not stop thinking about Johnny and needed to go see him. E.J. invited Nicole to go with him, and surprised, Nicole accepted.

Johnny was restless, and Will carried him into the living room to see Sami and Rafe. As Sami cuddled up next to Johnny on the couch, Rafe answered the door and found E.J. and Nicole in the hallway. Defensive, Will noted that it was past Johnny's bedtime. E.J. remarked that he wanted to hug his son. Sami slowly let go of Johnny and allowed him to run to his father. E.J. hugged Johnny tightly and said that he loved the boy.

Nicole cautiously asked Sami if it would be all right for her to hug Johnny. With a tired smile, Sami nodded her approval. Nicole swooped Johnny into her arms and hugged him while E.J. thanked Rafe for finding Johnny. Will noted that Johnny needed to get to bed, and he carried Johnny back to his bedroom. Once Will and Johnny were gone, Rafe asked E.J. and Nicole whether they wanted a drink, while Sami shifted uncomfortably.

E.J. declined the offer and noted that he needed to head home. Nicole thanked Sami for letting them spend time with Johnny, and Sami nodded. "I know how much Johnny loves his dad," Sami said. As Nicole headed to the front door, she remembered that she had purchased a stuffed dog for Johnny and had it in her purse. Rafe urged Nicole to give it to Johnny herself, and he offered to take her to Johnny's bedroom so that he could say goodnight.

Once alone, Sami asked E.J. to talk, but he quietly advised Sami to wait. "We have to figure out what to do because we screwed up, and we need to fix it," Sami whispered vehemently. Before E.J. could respond, Nicole and Rafe returned to the living room. E.J. and Nicole left, and Sami quietly shuffled over to the couch. "That E.J. DiMera may be a low-life criminal, but I got to hand it to him, he does love his son," Rafe remarked.

After putting Johnny to bed, Will returned to the living room to inform Rafe and Sami that John was going to be sentenced. Worried, Rafe went into the bedroom to call Carrie to talk about John's case. While Sami picked up toys in the living room, Will cautiously approached her. Will announced that it was terrible what was happening to John. Sami fumbled for a response, then noted that she was tired.

Angry, Will snapped, "We're all tired!" Suspicious, Sami asked Will whether she had upset him. "Where the hell were you when Johnny was missing?" Will asked. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. You have no idea how sorry," Sami said. Will noted that Sami had disappeared when her son had needed her most. "Do you not care about anyone but yourself?" Will asked. Sami admitted that she could not forgive herself for not being there when Johnny returned home, and Will admitted that he could not forgive Sami either.

When Will asked Sami what she had been thinking when she disappeared, Sami admitted that she had not been in her right frame of mind because she had thought Johnny was dead. Will countered that everyone had thought Johnny was dead, but no one else had run off. As Sami shut down, Will asked her, "What was so important that you just had to get up and leave your family?" Sami avoided the question. "It doesn't matter because it is never going to happen again. Johnny is safe. It's over," Sami insisted.

Angry, Will argued that the damage was not over. When Sami urged Will to go to sleep, a tearful Will lashed out. "How can you sleep after what you did to Rafe?" Will wondered aloud. Fumbling for an answer, Sami asked to talk about what had happened later. Unfazed, Will noted that Sami had abandoned her family when they needed her most. "What kind of mother does that to her kids?" Will asked.

Concerned, Rafe asked what was going on as he entered the living room. Will noted that he was tired and had not meant what he'd said. Will hugged Rafe and headed off to bed. Once Will was gone, Rafe assured Sami that Will needed time to cool down. When Rafe offered to draw Sami a bath, she smiled wistfully and said, "I don't deserve you."

"I don't deserve you. You are the best," Rafe countered. Overcome, Sami kissed Rafe passionately before he headed off to the bathroom. Alone in the living room, Sami broke down and began to cry. Sami stared at a photo of her and Rafe and apologized aloud as she thought about the sex she'd had with E.J. Upset, Sami furiously began to dust the living room. In her fervor, Sami pressed too hard on a hand mirror and cracked it. Staring at her reflection in disgust, Sami fought back tears.

Rafe heard the noise from the bathroom and rushed into the living room to check on Sami. Worried, Rafe noted that Sami's hand was bleeding. "I can't keep doing this," Sami mumbled through tears. Rafe hugged Sami tight and assured her that everything would be fine.

E.J. and Nicole returned to the DiMera mansion, and he asked her to go upstairs with him. Nicole resisted and noted that she needed to handle some publicity for E.J. before she turned in for the night. As Nicole seductively leaned close to E.J., she promised to make the wait worth it. Nicole wondered aloud why John had confessed. "The lying and betrayal? It just makes me sick," Nicole said. As Nicole turned away from E.J., a guilty look fleeted across his face.

Confused, Nicole wondered aloud why John had embezzled the money. When E.J. suggested that John might have had a reason, Nicole was taken aback. "E.J. DiMera, are you defending, John?" Nicole asked. E.J. noted that John's guilt was irrelevant. "Men do strange things when under great duress," E.J. whispered. "You never truly know someone until you discover what they're doing when no one is looking," Nicole countered.

"We've already seen the worst in each other. There's nothing left to hide," Nicole said. E.J. apologized for hurting Nicole and treating her so poorly. E.J. promised to make it up to Nicole. Nicole offered to start again with a clean slate and forgive each other's sins. E.J. resisted, but Nicole urged him to let go. "No more lies. No more secrets. Just honesty and a new beginning. What do you say?" Nicole asked.

Maggie, Victor, Daniel, and Melanie were gathered at Maggie's house to cook Thanksgiving dinner. Victor irritably demanded to know why they weren't letting the staff cook dinner in his state-of-the-art, gourmet kitchen. Maggie replied firmly that cooking Thanksgiving dinner was not a chore to be delegated; it was an act of love to be shared with family and friends -- and she was partial to her old kitchen. She explained that she also wanted to have memories of making the holiday meal with her new husband, and her new son and granddaughter. Victor's grouchiness abated as the new clan shared a group hug. "No wonder I love you: you always get it right. I'm a better man because of you," Victor declared.

When Victor and Maggie went out to retrieve the rest of the groceries from the car, Melanie asked her dad how he was doing. Daniel admitted that he was thinking about Jennifer, because he'd told her that he needed a break after seeing her kiss Jack. "I'm guessing I all but handed Jack the family I wanted us to have," Daniel complained. Melanie asserted that Jennifer and Daniel were supposed to be together. Changing the subject, Daniel wanted know about Melanie's love life since Dario had moved away. Melanie recalled her kiss with Chad, and admitted that she had a crush on someone, but she didn't want to discuss it further.

Later, an unhappy-looking Victor was hard at work, preparing bread for the stuffing. When he grumbled about it, Maggie handed him a bag of potatoes and a peeler. Maggie then shared some of Alice's secrets to a perfect piecrust with Melanie, who expressed her gratitude for getting to learn what it was like to cook with her grandmother. When Daniel saw the women embracing, he rushed over to join in. As the three of them enthused about how great it was to spend Thanksgiving with their new family, suddenly Daniel noticed a delicious smell emanating from the stove. Inhaling deeply over the pan, he recognized the aroma as homemade cranberry relish with orange zest, something his mother had made.

Maggie admitted, "I wanted to make something special for you, Daniel. Victor found one of your mother's cookbooks, and -- lo and behold -- that recipe was marked 'Danny's favorite.'" Daniel embraced Maggie with grateful appreciation. Maggie declared that Lilian had obviously been a remarkable woman to have raised such a remarkable son, but Daniel wondered why his mother hadn't told him the truth. Victor asserted that Lilian had never wanted to hurt Daniel, of whom she had been very proud.

Maggie returned to the stove, and Daniel noticed that she massaged her hand before she picked up a spoon. He asked if her myasthenia gravis were acting up again. Maggie reassured Daniel that her hands were just tired from kneading the pie dough, and that the medication he'd prescribed was working fine. She suggested that Daniel and Melanie should get tested for myasthenia gravis, since they'd found out they were related to Maggie, and the disease could have a genetic component. Melanie and Daniel agreed that they would get tested, just to be sure.

Maggie then sent Daniel and Melanie to the basement to get the Thanksgiving china. Victor observed that Maggie was worried, and she acknowledged that she was, because Daniel needed his hands and eyes to be a surgeon. Victor put his arms around his wife, and urged her to count her blessings instead of worrying about what might be.

When the two men were alone little later, Victor asked Daniel what Jennifer's plans for Thanksgiving were. Daniel filled Victor in on what had happened, and admitted that he was worried he'd made a mistake. Victor declared that if Daniel loved Jennifer, he should pursue her, and not let Jack have the advantage.

Maggie and Melanie returned, and Maggie deemed Victor's potato slices perfect. Victor cheerfully confessed that the company had made the task almost enjoyable. As he watched Maggie kiss Victor, Daniel informed Melanie that he'd decided to fight for Jennifer, because he believed the two of them could one day be as happy as Victor and Maggie. After Daniel tasted Maggie's cranberry relish, he hugged her gratefully, while Melanie proudly removed her first pie from the oven. Victor watched the others and smiled contentedly.

At the Brady Pub, Abe, Lexie, Abigail, Jennifer, and Jack were filling boxes of food for the homeless. When Jennifer and Abe realized that the cranberry sauce was missing, Jennifer started to head to the kitchen to get it, but noticed that Jack was on his cell phone. When she tapped Jack on the shoulder, he quickly hung up, and went to retrieve the cranberries without Jennifer even having to ask.

Abigail tried to lift a box to carry out, but lost her grip on it, and Austin arrived just in time to grab it for her. He explained that he'd just wanted to do what he could to help out, especially since Carrie was tied up with the hearing for John's sentencing. Austin noticed that Abigail was still wearing the wool cap that he'd lent her the previous evening, and urged her to keep it. "It looks a lot better on you than it does on me," Austin declared. Abigail smiled shyly as she thanked him.

When Chad arrived with a couple of bags of groceries, he tried to kiss Abigail on the cheek, but she jerked away awkwardly as she took the bags from him. Jack watched the exchange with interest. Jennifer ordered Jack to stop staring at Chad and Abigail and get back to work.

A bit later, Chad listened anxiously as Austin and Jack made a friendly five-dollar wager on the football game that day. Austin then asked Chad if he wanted in on it, and Chad could only stammer that he didn't gamble. Jack urged Chad to lighten up.

Jennifer informed Abe that the camera crew was running late to shoot Abe for some publicity. Abe didn't think it was newsworthy, since he was doing something he did every year, but Jennifer pointed out that he was up for reelection. As Chad and Abigail finished filling up a couple of boxes, she asked for Austin's help carrying them out. Looking pointedly at Chad, Abigail explained, "Chad has something that he needs to do."

After Abigail and Austin went outside, Chad assured Jack, "I really care about your daughter." He acknowledged that Jack didn't like his daughter dating a DiMera, but vowed that he would not be like the rest of his family -- and he would treat Abigail well. Jack agreed to give Chad the benefit of the doubt, and the men shook hands. Jack cautioned, "And you remember, giving your word and keeping it are two very different things. Don't take as long to learn that as I did. You'll save yourself a lot of grief." Jack's phone rang, and since Jennifer was distracted, he furtively stepped outside to take the call.

After Abe's interview, he confessed that he felt as if he were exploiting the homeless for his own political gain. Jennifer and Lexie reassured him that there was nothing wrong with filming him doing what he normally did on Thanksgiving. Jennifer spotted Jack outside on the phone, and stormed out to confront him. She arrived just in time to hear him say, "I appreciate the lead...and I'm absolutely interested in following up on it." Jennifer accused him of accepting another assignment -- and disappearing on her and Abigail again. Jack tried to explain, but Jennifer tore into him for putting his career ahead of his family again.

Abigail and Austin returned from the car just then, and Abigail asked what her dad had done. Jack explained that he had been offered another assignment -- teaching journalism at Salem University. He added that he wouldn't accept it if Jennifer didn't want him to stick around Salem permanently. Jennifer and Abigail were happily surprised. "Like I said, I'm just trying to start over, and this time, I want to do it right," Jack explained. Austin then informed them that he'd just been offered a job at Salem U teaching a course in forensic accounting.

After Abigail and Austin went inside, Jennifer apologized to Jack for jumping to conclusions. She also encouraged him to take the job -- and get counseling -- for himself, not just to please her. Jack insisted that his plan was to fix himself and his relationships. "Well, if miracles came with Thanksgiving, I think I just got mine," declared a beaming Jennifer.

When Hope arrived at the DiMera mansion, Stefano admitted that he was equally surprised and delighted to see her. Stefano jokingly guessed that Hope was there to invite him and Kate to Thanksgiving dinner. "I came to ask about this," Hope declared. She showed Stefano the paperweight that she'd found in her grandmother's attic, which was inscribed, "To Alice -- A Symbol of Our Bond." Hope asked, "Look familiar?" She twisted open the top of the paperweight to reveal the clock inside -- and the phoenix symbol inside the lid.

Feigning ignorance, Stefano asked where Hope had found the clock. Hope replied that she'd found it in Alice's attic, "Along with other items of interest." Stefano admitted that he would be curious to know what the other items were. Hope accused Stefano of giving the paperweight to Alice. Stefano deflected by changing the subject to John's sentencing, and suggested that John had hidden the money in a Swiss bank account. Hope demanded to know whether Stefano had given Alice the paperweight.

Stefano explained that his company had sent them out as gifts in the past, but Hope pointed out that neither the inscription nor the phoenix logo would have been on a corporate gift. Stefano changed the subject again, so Hope promised to find the truth without him. Stefano noted, "You were so close to your grandmother, Hope. If she and I had such a bond for so many years, why did she go to her grave without telling you?" He added gently that Alice had been a virtuous and beloved woman who had loved Hope very much, so if Alice had hidden things in the attic, she hadn't wanted anyone, including Hope, to find them.

Hope bristled, but Stefano urged her to forget she'd ever found the paperweight, because if Alice had wanted her to know about it, she would have told Hope. Hope argued that unlike Stefano, her grandmother didn't have deep, dark secrets. Stefano pointed out that good people sometimes made bad choices -- which Hope should understand better than anyone. "You're trying to make it sound like she led a double life, and she didn't," Hope asserted firmly. Stefano declared, "This is my point, that when you learn about other people's secrets, sometimes you learn things that you really do not want to know -- their weaknesses, their mistakes, and the price that they've paid to be human."

John was doing sit-ups in his cell when Carrie and Marlena arrived. Through the bars, Marlena handed John a garment bag containing his suit, as Carrie encouraged him to get ready quickly, since it was almost time for the hearing. Carrie then left to give John and Marlena some privacy. Reaching through the bars, John caressed his wife's face as if to memorize it.

When Carrie returned, John reiterated his thanks for all she'd done to help him. Marlena expressed her concerns about the strain that defending John had put on Carrie and Austin's marriage, but Carrie maintained that she and Austin were fine. Relieved, Marlena asserted that a good marriage should be cherished.

After Carrie left to go over her speech, John cautioned his wife to be realistic and not get her hopes up about his sentencing. Marlena confessed, "This short time away from you has been an eternity for me. I can't bear the thought of it being much longer." John asserted that Marlena was stronger than she gave herself credit for, and their love would get them through their time apart, as it had through so many other ordeals.

Once everyone was gathered in the judge's chambers, Carrie asserted to Judge Weston that a lenient sentence would allow John to recover the missing money and repay everyone who had lost their pensions. Judge Weston then asked if John had anything to say, but he replied that he did not. Carrie quickly asked for a brief recess to confer with her client, and the judge consented.

As soon as everyone else had left the room, Carrie insisted that John had to speak in his own defense, lest he appear guilty, which would only get him a longer prison sentence. Marlena pleaded with John to listen to Carrie. "The victims want their pound of flesh. The sooner they get it, the safer my family will be," John argued.

Judge Weston and the others returned then, and the judge repeated her question as to whether John wished to speak. John rose, and respectfully replied that there was nothing he wished to say. Judge Weston then announced that she was ready to render her decision. She informed John that she had received letters on his behalf from his friends and family, including Mayor Carver, but she had also received letters from countless people who blamed John for robbing them of their life savings.

"You used your position of trust, your reputation as a fine, upstanding man, to plunder billions from unsuspecting clients. Not only have you destroyed their lives, you've robbed them of hope itself," Judge Weston declared. She continued that John had never shown remorse for his reprehensible actions, and she intended to send a clear message to everyone entrusted with other people's money. Judge Weston then sentenced John to serve fifty years in prison, twice the amount of time that the prosecution had requested, without the possibility of parole. "Your Honor, fifty years amounts to a life sentence," Carrie pleaded. "I know," replied the judge as she banged her gavel.

John and Marlena shared a final, tearful embrace until the bailiff led John out. Marlena and Carrie followed John to the doorway and watched him walk away. Marlena's knees buckled, and Carrie had to catch her mother to keep her from falling.

Alone in his cell, John gripped the bars as he gazed out through them, then sat on the floor next to his cot and closed his eyes resignedly.

central.com

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, NBC did not broadcast an original episode of Days of our Lives. This programming change was planned, and there will be no "lost" episodes as a result of the pre-emption.

Regular programming will resume on Monday, November 28, and pick up where the Wednesday, November 23 episode concluded.

On behalf of everyone at soapcentral.com, we want you to know that we are so thankful that you choose to get your soap opera information from us. Your support over the years has been amazing. We wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, NBC did not broadcast an original episode of Days of our Lives. This programming change was planned, and there will be no "lost" episodes as a result of the pre-emption.

Regular programming will resume on Monday, November 28, and pick up where the Wednesday, November 23 episode concluded.

On behalf of everyone at soapcentral.com, we want you to know that we are so thankful that you choose to get your soap opera information from us. Your support over the years has been amazing. We wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving