Abe chastises Paulina for blowing a New Year’s noisemaker in Theo’s ear since he hates loud noises so much. She explains she was trying to annoy him awake, which Abe then admits is a good idea. Is it, though? Oh, it is. He starts to move, then wakes up.

Theo remembers everything, and the doctor comes in to say he’s going to be just fine. Before Abe and Paulina, Theo wants to know that everyone in the crypt is OK. They are, so rest up, they tell him.

Is Javi Done With Leo?

Javi slouches into the Bistro to find the wedding party. Rafe and Gabi try to get a feel for what’s going on, so he hits the bottle as he explains how he tucked tail and ran for absolutely no reason. Javi goes from zero to hammered after a few sips from the champagne. Good lord.

Rafe figures someone clearly set this up to get back at Leo. Yes, Rafe: Gwen. We pretty much established that yesterday. But Javi seems to have forgotten that whole conversation. Or he wasn’t paying attention. Focus, Javi. His cousins promise there’s no way Leo’s going back to his Eurotrash ex. Classy!

Who Will Leo Choose?

Leo wanders out of the Salem Inn into the empty square. Wow, they cleaned up fast. Chad and Marlena walk out to check on him. He just wants some time to process and sends Chad home. Marlena, though, promises to stay by Leo’s side.

Marlena coaxes Leo to open up — all he wanted was someone to love him and feel he was worthy of love. And now he has two and he’s miserable. That’s something Marlena knows well. Actually, half the people in Salem probably do.

Leo lays out all the pros and cons of each man and Javi is clearly the better person and makes him a better person. Leo’s stumped. For Pete’s sake, just go after Javi. But he goes to get some sleep instead.

Julie and Chad Agree On What’s Important

Chad heads home to fill Julie in. They go over the wedding, the crypt adventure, all of it. That leads into the custody case and how it’s not as dire as before, but still may not work out. Julie gets all teary as she insists she can’t take sides, she just wants what’s best for the kids. Really? In what world are Jack and Jennifer in the right? But enough about that. They toast a new year and Chad putting his kids first, no matter what.

Will Dimitri Divorce Gwen?

Dimitri and Gwen reconvene at the DiMera mansion for some reminiscing and insults to determine who deserves to live there the least. Gwen tells him that while she despises him now, she loved him once. He used her. (They helpfully run through what happened — von Leuschner family fortune, the codicil, fake marriage, affair, kidnapping, etc. etc.)

Gwen brushes off Dimitri’s accusations of kidnapping, daring him to go to the police. Heck, go to the ISA. They love him there after that Alamainian Peacock fiasco! Dimitri backs down, but he still has an ace up his sleeve. Now that he’s free, he can divorce her and throw her back down into “penniless” “trash.” Well, that’s not going to sit well…

It doesn’t. She claims that if they divorce, he loses the money, too. But that’s not true. The terms only said he had to marry, not stay married. Dimitri lays it all out, then goes full Willy Wonka. If they divorce: “You get nothing!” You lose! Good day, sir! Madam. Whatever. Dimitri figures they both ruined each other’s lives, so they’re even.

In the Show’s Final Moments

Paulina gets back to Theo and Abe, saying she called everyone. Abe prayed to God and Theo’s mother to bring him back. (How about bringing her back?) They all wish each other a Happy New Year.

Rafe and Gabi get their drunk cousin home, send him off to bed, then toast to a fabulous 2026. Upstairs, Javi gets back to the tears and climbs into bed, while Leo does the same at the Salem Inn.

Gwen downs her champagne and sees herself up to bed. Dimitri promises he’s not going anywhere. They’re both staying there. “Even if it kills us.” Well that’s fun!C