Days of Our Lives Update Wednesday 12/23/20

Written By Joseph

Nicole sets up a romantic dinner at home as there's a knock at the door. Nicole excitedly answers the door expecting Eric but is surprised to instead see Rafe, who wishes her a Merry Christmas.

Doug goes to the police station and tells Eli that Julie told him that Eli was working so he came to talk him out of it because it's Christmas Eve. Eli explains that he is covering for a co worker so they could be with their family. Doug asks about Eli's family, reminding him of the Horton ornament hanging tradition and says they want him to be there. Eli responds that he's sorry but he's not in the mood.

Lani is on the phone with her mom, saying she has no plans and is just staying in as Eli is working. Lani then hangs up as Julie arrives at her door. Julie tells Lani that she knows she must be uncomfortable getting ready to give birth but it's Christmas Eve, so she wants Lani to change in to something festive because this is the night they trim the Christmas tree with holiday food. Lani thanks her for stopping by but informs her that she's staying home tonight.

Claire shows up at Ben's new place above the garage where Jake used to stay. Ben explains that Jake gave it to him and that he had to get out of the Salem Inn because of all the memories with Ciara. Claire tells him that she understands. Ben asks what brings her by. Claire gives him a Christmas gift which she says is from Ciara.

Rafe notes that Nicole was obviously expecting someone else. Nicole informs him that Eric is coming home for Christmas. Rafe understands she was disappointed as he had no idea. Nicole tells him that it's supposed to be a surprise for his family so he can't tell anyone. Rafe says that's great as they should be together for the holidays. Nicole assures that they will be eventually. Rafe is sure they will want to be alone so he just came to drop off a Christmas gift for Nicole.

Ben questions the gift being from Ciara. Claire tells him to just open it. Ben opens it and it's a Christmas ornament with his name on it.

Rafe explains to Nicole that he and little David last year baked cookies so he decided to do it again this year on his own. Rafe figured Nicole and Holly would like them, noting that it was also recently Holly's birthday. Nicole thanks Rafe and then gets a phone call from Eric, who informs her that he is stranded in Ethiopia as his flight had mechanical issues. Nicole guesses Eric is not coming home for Christmas.

Doug tells Eli to get in the mood. Eli knows how much it means to the family but he doesn't want to bring the vibe down because he's not in great spirits after Lani kicked him out, won't let him come to birthing classes, and is barely speaking to him. Doug calls it terrible timing for them to be fighting. Doug tells him to work it out. Eli says he's been trying to every day but Lani is so stubborn. Doug adds that Julie told him that Lani's not coming to the party. Eli insists that he has to finish working. Doug argues that his shift ended two minutes ago. Doug orders Eli to go clock out because he's coming with him. Doug jokes that he sounds like Julie. Eli guesses he can't say no to that so he exits with Doug.

Julie tells Lani that she knows she doesn't want to see Eli because they are having problems. Lani says Julie doesn't know the half of it. Julie tells Lani that she doesn't have to worry since Eli is working late tonight and won't be there. Lani questions her not talking Eli in to coming after work. Julie adds that it's Lani's first year as an official Horton so they would be heartbroken if she wasn't there to hang her new ornament on the tree. Julie tells Lani that she won't take no for an answer.

Allie is with Jennifer at the Horton house where Jennifer opens her gift from Jack. It's an hourglass with a note from Jack, saying he wishes he could turn back time but he can't change the past, only the future. Jack wrote that he waited for a year the last time and will wait as long as it takes this time because he's never giving up on them.

Claire informs Ben that Hope had Ben's ornament made and had it sent to her before she left Salem and asked her to give it to him. Ben points out that he doesn't have a Christmas tree but he will definitely find a special place for it. Claire invites him to Doug and Julie's where he can hang it on their tree. Ben refuses to crash her family's celebration. Claire reminds him that they are his family too now.

Rafe tells Nicole that he's sorry Eric won't be there. Nicole says she was so looking forward to seeing him but blames herself since she supported Eric going to Africa as she knew he would regret it if he didn't go. Rafe asks if she now regrets it. Nicole says she just didn't realize how slow time would go with Eric gone as it feels like he's been gone forever. Nicole's oven timer goes off and notes that her dinner is ready so she invites Rafe to stay since she has enough for two. Rafe feels that wouldn't be right since she was expecting Eric but Nicole points out that her cornish hens will go to waste if he doesn't stay so it's his if he wants it. Rafe admits it does sound better than staying at home with a frozen pizza so he agrees to stay.

Ben thanks Claire for inviting him but he doesn't think he feels up to it. Claire understands and says she's not either but it's Christmas. Claire thinks it could be comforting for Ben to be around Ciara's family, hanging ornaments on the tree as it might make him feel connected to her. Claire tells Ben that she would be so grateful if he came with her to hang Ciara's ornament with her. Claire assures that they can get through this together and asks what Ben says. Ben picks up his ornament and agrees to go with her. Claire thanks him and he thanks her.

Doug comes home with Eli. Eli asks where Julie is. Doug claims she had an errand to run. Julie then arrives with Lani. Doug and Julie exchange looks that their plan came together while Eli and Lani look uncomfortable. Lani thought Eli was working tonight while Eli thought Lani wasn't coming. Julie suggests they just make the best of it. Eli warns Doug not to even think abuot putting them under the mistletoe. Claire and Ben arrive and greet Doug and Julie. Julie declares now they can get the party started. Ben asks Claire about proper Horton Christmas behavior. Claire tells him not to talk while Julie is talking and to sing every word of every carol. Ben is not sure he knows them all but Claire tells him that she will help him through it. Julie advises Eli to go talk to Lani. Eli tells her that he's not happy about this. Julie assures that he will be. Eli then goes over and asks Lani if she wants to go outside and talk which she agrees to. Allie and Claire talk about Belle and Shawn's wedding. Allie is glad it was mostly drama free.

Eli and Lani step outside. Eli tells her they will skip the small talk as he has something to say. Eli apologizes for going behind her back about Kristen and for being an ass at the hospital when she told him he couldn't be her birthing coach. Eli admits he lost his temper and didn't mean what he said. Lani stops him and says that he was right which surprises Eli. Lani acknowledges that she can't shut him out of their children's lives and she doesn't want to. Lani says she isn't thrilled about how he went about any of this but after thinking it over, everything he did was for her and their babies. Eli asks if that means they can move past this?

Jennifer informs Julie that she was wrong about Kate and Jack sleeping together. Julie assures that Jack is never going to hurt her that way again. Julie asks if there's a chance that Jennifer can forgive Jack now. Claire comes over and says Ben wants to know when they are going to be hanging the Christmas ornaments. Julie says they have to wait until Eli and Lani to come back inside. Claire comments that they've been out there for a long time. Jennifer hopes that's a good sign. Julie decides there's only one way to find out. Julie goes to check outside and finds Eli and Lani kissing. Doug joins Julie's side and they are happy to see Eli and Lani have made up as Julie comments that it sure puts her in the Christmas spirit. They all head back inside where Doug thanks everyone for being there. Julie speaks about the family gathering for Christmas. Julie talks about love and cherishing each other. Julie says she's been blessed with the most perfect husband for so many years of happiness. Julie declares they are all grateful to send their love in to the future. Julie wishes everyone a joyous Christmas. Doug proposes a toast to Tom and Alice Horton in their home where it all began. Doug and Julie then hang their Christmas ornaments and kiss. Jennifer hangs the ornaments for her family. Allie joins her in hanging the ornaments for Will and Lucas. Jennifer then gives Allie a new ornament for her son Henry. Jennifer hangs her own ornament then Julie hands her Jack's ornament which Jennifer hangs next to her's. Ben watches on as Claire hangs her ornament. Jennifer then hands Ciara's ornament to Doug. Doug calls on Ben and asks if he would like to help him. Ben stands up and says he's sorry but he can't. Ben then walks out of the house.

Rafe changes Henry's diaper and gets him to sleep. Rafe jokes with Nicole about it. Rafe thanks her and decides he should get going. Nicole points out that he forgot dessert.

Claire wants to go see if Ben is okay but Doug suggests she let him go. Julie decides they should continue and calls on Eli and Lani to hang their ornaments. Julie adds that next year, they will have two more for their babies. Eli and Lani go to hang their ornaments but Lani gets a pain in her stomach and says that her water just broke.

Rafe tells Nicole that the cookies are for her. Nicole encourages him to have one but Rafe declines. Nicole decides she will have one. Nicole recognizes the cookies as ones her grandma used to make as well. Nicole tries one and tells Rafe they are delicious. Nicole says she really enjoyed the evening even though it's not at all the Christmas she expected. Nicole doesn't think Rafe was having a good time either which he questions. Nicole points out that Rafe is with her and not Hope. Rafe assures he had a great time tonight. Nicole is sorry that it didn't work out for he and Hope. Rafe says he is too. Nicole then admits that she's not that sorry because Hope is not her favorite person and kind of drives her crazy. Nicole thinks Hope is making a mistake in letting Rafe go. Nicole tells Rafe that he deserves better and a woman who appreciates him. Nicole assures that she is out there somewhere.

With everyone else gone, Claire puts Ciara's ornament back in the box. Ben comes back in. Claire asks if he's okay. Ben says he is and asks where everybody is. Claire informs him that Lani went into labor so the party is over and she got stuck cleaning up. Ben can't believe Lani is about to give birth to twins. Ben tells Clarie that he's sorry that he couldn't hang the ornament that Ciara gave him. Claire tells him that she gets it and it's okay if he wanted to be alone with Ciara. Claire then opens the box and presents Ciara's ornament to him. Ben thanks her. Claire says she'll be in the kitchen if he needs anything so she exits the room. Ben then hangs Ciara's ornament on the tree and imagines Ciara appearing before him to tell him they can do it together.

After Rafe leaves, Nicole blows out the candles she had lit. Allie comes home. Nicole is surprised she's home early and asks if everything is okay. Allie informs her that Lani went in to labor so the tree trimming got cut short. Allie stops and asks why Nicole isn't at Marlena's with Eric. Nicole explains that Eric is stranded in Ethiopia with mechanical plane problems so he's not coming. Allie tells her that she's so sorry and asks if Eric can come tomorrow or soon. Nicole says he probably can't get a ticket for a week or so and by then he will need to go back to work. Nicole says it's okay. Allie says it's not okay but it will be as Nicole thanks her.

Rafe walks through the town square and calls Hope. It goes to voicemail so Rafe leaves a message, saying he wishes he could talk to her in person but he wanted her to know he's been thinking about her a lot, especially this time of year as they have so many memories at Christmas. Rafe knows she is doing what she needs to do and he just wanted to wish her a Merry Christmas. Rafe hangs up and walks on.

Eli sits with Lani in the hospital and asks what he can do to help. Lani says she needs music and mentions a playlist on her phone but Doug and Julie enter the room, singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".

Ben talks about how much he misses Ciara and says he doesn't know how to live without her. His imagination of Ciara assures that she is always right there. Ben imagines kissing Ciara then snaps out of it when Claire comes back in to the room and asks who he was talking to. Ben tells her that he could feel Ciara's presence. Ben thanks Claire for giving him the moment alone. Claire then exits the room again. Ben says Merry Christmas to Ciara and that he loves her, always and forever, as he hangs his ornament along with Ciara's.

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