Days of our Lives recap for February 18, 2025: Tate and Holly take the next step in their relationship

In the Horton cabin, Holly wanted to change back into her clothes for dinner. Tate said that if she felt self-conscious about her dress, he would even things out. Tate took off his shirt. “I can’t wait to be with you tonight,” Holly whispered. Either can I,” Tate said.

After Tate cooked a spaghetti dinner and they ate, Tate offered to get dessert. “I was kind of hoping we would skip dessert and go straight to something else,” Holly suggested. Holly disrobed so that Tate could see her negligee. “Wow. You look, I don’t even have the words,” Tate said. “Then don’t use any words,” Holly said. Holly kissed Tate. They both agreed they were ready to take the next step, and they moved over to the bed.

“Are you sure that you feel safe about this?” Tate asked. Holly nodded yes. “I’m on the pill,” Holly said. When Tate hesitated, Holly assured him that nothing would go wrong. “It’s gonna be perfect,” Holly said. After the two made love, Holly grinned at Tate. “That was everything I dreamed it would be and more,” Holly said. “It was the same for me,” Tate said. With a sigh, Holly admitted that she was happy that her first time had been with Tate after all the stuff they had endured together. After a moment, Holly apologized for reminding Tate that his first time had been with someone else.

“I’m sorry. I wish I would have waited,” Tate said. “We don’t have to talk about it. I’m just glad we get to be together now,” Holly countered. Tate agreed. With a smirk, Tate said he was lucky he had arrived when he did. “It just seemed like [Doug] was about to make a move on you,” Tate said with a shrug. When Tate told Holly that it seemed like Doug had a crush on her, Holly thought about Doug’s confession from earlier in the night.

“I’m sorry. That was a stupid thing to bring up,” Tate said. “No, it’s good we talk about these things. And for the record, Doug is just a friend, nothing more,” Holly said. Holly told Tate not to worry. Tate reminded Holly that they needed to eat dessert if they wanted to catch the last ferry of the day. With a grin, Holly kissed Tate and said, “I say we skip dessert.”

Gabi returned home, and she poured a glass of wine. Jada exited the bedroom hallway. Gabi offered Jada a glass of wine, but Jada declined. “I’m actually heading out,” Jada said. Gabi noticed the suitcase nearby. “This is the last of it. And then I’ll be officially moved out,” Jada said. “Are you sure you have to move out?” Gabi asked. Jada said she did not want to be around Rafe. Gabi said she understood, and she admitted that she had hoped that Rafe and Jada would work things out.

“If this was a few days ago, I might have agreed with you. But now, every conversation I have with that man, it just gets worse every time,” Jada said. Jada informed Gabi that she had thrown her ring at Rafe. Gabi asked what Rafe had said that had led to that exchange. “I tried to talk to him about EJ setting me up. And you know what he said? He told me that I should just let it go,” Jada said. Gabi was shocked. Jada said she did not understand why Rafe had teamed up with EJ, a man that Rafe hated.

“I don’t get that,” Gabi said. Jada told Gabi about Shawn’s theory about Rafe’s coma having affected Rafe’s personality more deeply than they had suspected. “I’m so sorry. If there’s anything that I can do,” Gabi said. “I just want all of this to be over with. After Bobby, I can’t go through this again. I can’t. So I think it’s time that I move on,” Jada said. With a shake of her head, Gabi said she did not understand how such a perfect couple had fallen apart so fast.

“It’s fine, honestly. I’m just thankful he showed me his true colors before we officially got married,” Jada said. “Well, it’s my brother’s loss. You deserve the best. I hope you know that,” Gabi said. “So do you,” Jada countered. Jada asked about JJ. Gabi admitted that she had not seen JJ recently because he had been busy with his new job at the PD. “But it’s Valentine’s Day. It should be on him to make a little time [for you],” Jada said.

A delivery man dropped off flowers for Gabi. “From JJ?” Jada asked. Gabi smiled and nodded yes. “See? That’s what real boyfriends do,” Jada said. Gabi started to apologize, but Jada told Gabi that she was glad that one of them was having a good Valentine’s Day. As Jada gathered her things to go, Gabi told Jada that although she loved her brother, she was on Jada’s side in the breakup. “Don’t be a stranger,” Gabi said. “I won’t,” Jada said as she hugged Gabi goodbye.

Doug III sat on the couch in the Horton living room, and he read Doug’s song to Julie. JJ walked in, and Doug III told him what he was doing. “Can I see?” JJ asked. JJ read through the song, and he said he was surprised he had never heard it before. Doug III explained he had retrieved the song from the Horton cabin for Julie, but she had fallen asleep before he had returned home.

“Nice of you to go get it for her. Was that your first time over at the Horton cabin?” JJ asked. Doug said yes, and he admitted that he had run into Holly at the cabin. “Was she just hanging out?” JJ asked. Doug explained that Holly had been waiting for her boyfriend, Tate. “Unless I’m imagining things, I’d say you’re not too happy about that are you?” JJ asked. Doug said it had been an awkward situation because he had stumbled into a romantic Valentine’s Day date.

“And then I made it even worse by–” Doug started. JJ asked what happened. Doug admitted that he had confessed to Holly that he had feelings for her. “It was so embarrassing,” Doug said. “I’ve been in basically the same situation you are in right now,” JJ said. JJ asked about Holly's response. Doug admitted that Tate had arrived before Holly could respond. With a shrug, Doug said he had no intention of breaking up a relationship despite his feelings for Holly.

“I think talking about them with someone other than Holly certainly helps,” JJ said. JJ encouraged Doug to talk to him at any time. “Thanks. And I’m glad I was wrong about you,” Doug said. Confused, JJ asked Doug what he meant. Doug explained that he had gotten the impression that JJ did not like him. JJ admitted that he had been keeping an eye on Doug. “To be honest, my mom thought you might have been the one who stole Julie’s necklace,” JJ said. JJ admitted that a number of the family had agreed.

“If it makes you feel better, and honestly, I hope it does, I don’t think that anymore. I’ve seen how you are with Julie. How much you care about her. And frankly, I really don’t think you’re capable of doing something like that to your family. Not back then, certainly not now,” JJ said. Doug started confessing to something but was interrupted when Gabi called JJ about the flowers. JJ explained that he had just gotten off work, and he asked Gabi if she wanted to join him for a drink. Gabi invited JJ over because she was alone with a bottle of wine.

After JJ left to meet Gabi, Doug fantasized that after his confession of love to Holly, she had told him that she had felt the same way about him. As Doug imagined that Holly had kissed him, he shook his head. “Get a grip on it, Williams. She doesn’t feel that way about you,” Doug said.

When JJ arrived at the Hernandez house, Gabi showed JJ the bouquet he had sent her. “I’m sorry I haven’t been more in touch. I know we’ve both been really busy the past few weeks, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. It’s not a reflection of how I feel about you,” JJ said. Gabi asked JJ how he felt about her. JJ said he felt lucky to be with Gabi, and she agreed.

At the Price-Carver house, Paulina told Abe she was happy that Chanel and Johnny were back together. Paulina noticed Abe’s depressed demeanor, and she asked him if he was doing okay after having to give up on Body & Soul. “It was hard. You know I’ll always be proud of the work we did. And it was the right decision,” Abe said. Paulina noted that on the bright side, she got to spend more time with her husband. Abe chuckled. EJ knocked on the door. Annoyed, Paulina asked EJ if he was aware of the date.

“I do. Happy Valentine’s Day to you both,” EJ said as he pulled a single red rose from behind his back. EJ apologized for having interrupted the evening. “However, I thought you might want to discuss this privately and in person,” EJ said. “What do you want?” Paulina asked. EJ expressed his concern about Paulina’s PR crisis because of Jada. Abe reminded EJ that the last time he had said he was a concerned citizen, he had attempted to oust Paulina from office. EJ promised that he had no intention of going after Paulina.

“You gave [Rafe] his job back. How about giving me mine back, too?” EJ said. “You have got some nerve,” Paulina said. Abe suggested that they postpone the conversation until after the holiday. “It’s all right. I already have an answer for him. And that answer is no way in hell,” Paulina said. EJ asked Paulina if she wanted to side with Jada, who had hand-picked the DA. “What happens when Jada’s case goes to trial? Do you really think Belle will be prepared to prosecute?” EJ asked. Paulina stressed that she had complete faith in Belle’s capabilities. Paulina added that there would be a thorough and unbiased investigation into Jada’s conduct. EJ laughed.

“So, in other words, justice will never be served,” EJ said. Abe told EJ he had a lot of nerve interrupting their Valentine’s Day dinner. EJ rolled his eyes, and he noted that the justice system was more important than dinner. “See, that’s the issue right there. Pretending that this is about justice and community, when in reality, it’s all about you,” Abe said. Abe argued that EJ had not changed since they had run against one another in the mayoral race.

“I have a very capable wife, but this is my home too. And I will take great pleasure in tossing you out of it,” Abe said. Abe ordered EJ to leave. “Self-serving or not, Madame Mayor, you know I’m right about Belle,” EJ said. EJ wished the couple a Happy Valentine’s Day, and he left. Paulina groaned, and she ripped up the rose EJ had left behind. Abe asked Paulina if she thought EJ had a point about Belle. Paulina said no, and she argued that EJ just wanted the job. After a moment, Paulina wondered aloud why EJ had seemed desperate to secure the DA job.

“It’s likely a sign he’s been up to no good. Now, the question is, what did he do this time?” Paulina asked. “I’m sure we’ll know soon enough,” Abe said. With a shake of her head, Paulina said she would never rehire EJ as DA. Paulina thanked Abe for his support, giving him a smile and a kiss.

In the Little Bar, Belle called Marlena’s phone and left a voicemail for her mother about John. “I know [John] is doing everything he can to get back to us because he misses us, too,” Belle said. Belle told Marlena not to wait up for her and that she would see her later. As Belle sipped her drink, Arnold walked in and sat down next to her. Arnold chugged a beer down.

“Tough day?” Belle asked. “I cannot believe there are so many damn criminals in this town,” Arnold complained. Confused, Belle asked “Rafe” how he had not realized this after all the years he had worked for the Salem PD. Arnold explained that his coma had gotten him off track. “Especially after that train wreck that Jada left the police department in, and, you know, after she stole my job. So yeah, no surprise that I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed,” Arnold said. “You know that Jada didn’t set out to steal your job, right?” Belle asked. Arnold smirked.

“No surprise, considering you pulled the exact same stunt with EJ,” Arnold said. Belle scoffed. “I did not steal his job. Paulina offered it to me. I just accepted it,” Belle said. Arnold argued that Jada had orchestrated EJ’s replacement by Belle. “[Jada] was trying to protect the department from EJ’s corruption,” Belle argued. Arnold disagreed. Arnold countered that Jada had been in search of a DA that would obey Jada’s wishes.

“One that would look the other way,” Arnold added. “Oh, come on, Rafe. You don’t really believe that, do you?” Belle asked. Arnold said it made the most sense, but Belle disagreed. “What is going on?” Belle asked. Arnold said he believed the evidence. Belle argued that any other cop would know that Jada was not a corrupt or ambitious cop. “You don’t really know Jada that well,” Arnold said. Belle reminded Arnold that Jada had given up on the commissioner job when Shawn had been appointed. Arnold grinned.

“I think that [Jada] was a little bit more than disappointed,” Arnold argued. Belle scoffed. Arnold softened, and he told Belle he was sorry about how things had ended between Belle and Shawn. “Especially on a day like today,” Arnold added. “To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought,” Belle said. Arnold grabbed Belle’s hand and gently shook it.

“There’s no shame in wanting a little masculine comfort,” Arnold said. Belle looked at Arnold like he was insane. Arnold grabbed her and kissed her. Belle shoved Arnold away. “What the hell are you doing?” Belle yelled. “Did I miss something here? I thought I was catching a vibe,” Arnold said. Belle vehemently disagreed.

“That will never, ever happen again. And you and I will keep things professional between us both in the office and out of the office. Forever,” Belle said. Belle marched to the doorway, and she looked back at Arnold. “What is going on with him?” Belle muttered.

EJ returned home, and he talked to Kristen on the phone about Rachel’s ability to babysit Rafe and Ava. “But we don’t really have much choice in the matter,” EJ said. Kristen suggested that they determine a long-term plan for the situation. The doorbell rang, and EJ ended the call. It was Belle at the door.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight,” EJ said. “Well, I thought you ought to know that your newfound friend Rafe has one hell of a nerve,” Belle grumbled. Concerned, EJ asked what had happened. Belle told EJ about the incident at the bar. “I’m going to kill him,” EJ said. EJ started to leave the house, but Belle grabbed him. Belle told EJ that she had already handled the situation. Belle called EJ sweet, and he told her that he cared about her. “I also don’t like the idea of someone else kissing you on Valentine’s Day,” EJ added. “Who should it be then?” Belle asked innocently. EJ kissed her.

In the hallway of the Salem Inn, Arnold ran into Jada. “Hey, Jada-cakes. Long time no see,” Arnold said. Jada told Arnold to cut the crap. Jada said that she had moved out of the Hernandez house, and the place was his. “So, where exactly are you moving?” Arnold asked. Jada explained that she was staying with Stephanie until she could find a new apartment. With a smirk, Arnold invited Jada to join him in his room if she wanted an alternate place to stay for the evening. Jada glowered at Arnold.

“Are you serious right now? Did I not make myself clear last night when I threw my ring at you and slapped you across the face?” Jada growled. Arnold claimed that he had only wanted to offer Jada a place to stay. “You don't have to be such a bitch about it,” Arnold said. Jada gasped. “You are an even bigger ass than I realized. I am sorry I ever met you,” Jada said. Jada stormed off down the hall.