Salem is bracing for one of the most chaotic holiday seasons in recent memory as Thanksgiving—usually a day of warmth and togetherness—spirals into a night of alarming disappearances, emotional turmoil, and shocking returns. What begins as a simple dinner delay soon erupts into a devastating chain of events that shakes several prominent families to their core. From missing DeMeras to a heartbreaking kidnapping and a baby bombshell no one saw coming, this holiday season is anything but peaceful.

Thanksgiving Turns Upside Down in Salem

The Carver–Price and DiMera circles had planned a heartfelt Thanksgiving gathering on Monday, December 1st—a cozy evening shared by Abe Carver, Paulina Price, Johnny DiMera, and Chanel Dupree. But instead of cheerful small talk and turkey on the table, the family finds themselves tangled in an unpredictable storm of delays, emotional tension, and unsettling mysteries.

What was supposed to be a warm holiday dinner quickly unravels thanks to a series of disruptions that force the celebration into repeated postponements. And as these delays pile up, Salem residents soon discover that the situation is much more sinister than they imagined.

Baby Trey’s Emotional Struggles Spark Chaos

One of the first signs that Thanksgiving isn’t going according to plan comes from Baby Trey DiMera. Recently placed with new foster parents, the infant is struggling deeply with the transition. In real life, such sudden changes can be traumatic for a child—new faces, new routines, and an unfamiliar home can trigger crying spells, disrupted sleep, and distress.

In Salem, Baby Trey’s emotional meltdown becomes impossible to ignore. With Trey crying relentlessly and unable to be comforted, the adults are forced to constantly pause the dinner preparations in hopes that someone can soothe the fragile child. His needs naturally come first, throwing the entire evening into disarray.

Theo’s Meeting with EJ Throws the Schedule Off

While the household is battling Baby Trey’s emotional spiral, another complication emerges—Theo Carver’s last-minute business meeting with EJ DiMera. Spoilers reveal that Theo will be tied up in a high-stakes discussion concerning DiMera Enterprises. What initially appears to be a routine strategy meeting turns into an extended, tension-filled sit-down that threatens to keep Theo away far longer than anyone anticipated.

Abe and the others wait anxiously, unsure whether to begin without Theo or hold off until he returns. But the more time passes, the clearer it becomes that something far bigger is unfolding behind the scenes.

The Growing Mystery of Missing DiMeras

While Thanksgiving delays might be expected, Salem is dealing with a situation far more alarming: members of the DiMera family are vanishing at an unsettling rate.

Chad DiMera has now joined the growing list of victims. In a shocking twist, he was reportedly forced into the DiMera crypt, locked inside with his mother Kristen and uncle Tony. This horrifying situation makes it impossible for Chad to attend his upcoming custody hearing, setting off serious legal and personal consequences for him and his children.

The disappearances are no longer isolated incidents—there is a clear pattern. Someone is targeting the DiMera family with a calculated plan, and the motives remain frighteningly unclear. With each missing member, the stakes rise higher, and panic begins to spread.

Theo and EJ Begin a Desperate Investigation

Realizing the danger surrounding the family, Theo and EJ decide to pool their resources and dive deep into the mystery. Their meeting becomes less about business and more about unraveling the web of kidnappings threatening their loved ones.

They explore every angle:

• Former enemies seeking revenge
• Financial motivations
• Internal sabotage
• Secret DiMera dealings
• Hidden grudges and long-standing feuds

Their partnership—balancing EJ’s experience with Theo’s tech-savvy skill—could be the family’s best hope of finding answers. Yet as the hours tick by, no one realizes that they themselves are becoming the next targets in a larger, terrifying game.

The Crisis Escalates—And Thanksgiving Takes a Dark Turn 

As the evening wears on, the dinner is put on hold again and again as investigations continue, Trey cries, and uncertainty builds. What was supposed to be a moment of gratitude turns into one of growing dread.

But the night’s biggest shock still lies ahead.

Theo Carver Is Kidnapped

Just when it seems Theo will finally return to join the delayed Thanksgiving meal, tragedy strikes. Winter preview spoilers confirm the devastating twist: Theo himself is kidnapped.

The news sends shockwaves through Salem. Suddenly the earlier dinner delay feels insignificant in comparison. The DiMera kidnapping pattern has escalated, and now another beloved member of the family has disappeared without a trace.

The family’s desperation reaches its breaking point. Thanksgiving night shifts instantly from mild chaos to full-blown crisis as they scramble to figure out who could be behind this increasingly dangerous plot.

One thing becomes clear: this is no random string of accidents. Someone powerful is targeting the DiMeras with terrifying intention.

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Part 2: Joy Wesley Returns—With a Baby That Could Destroy Alex & Stephanie

Amid the growing danger and turmoil surrounding the DiMeras, another emotional bombshell is on its way—one that threatens to shatter the future of Salem’s newest power couple.

Stephanie and Alex Face a Life-Changing Shock

Stephanie Johnson and Alex Kiriakis have been inching closer to a future together, overcoming past mistakes and slowly building something stable. Rumors even hint at wedding preparations on the horizon.

But Salem weddings are never simple.

And the person poised to unravel their happiness is none other than Joy Wesley—a young woman many thought would never return.

Joy’s Secret: A Hidden Pregnancy

Months ago, Joy abruptly left Salem under suspiciously vague circumstances. Viewers remember the truth: she was pregnant—despite denying it to both Alex and Stephanie. Fear, confusion, or shame might have pushed her to hide the truth, but now her secret is coming back to haunt everyone.

Spoilers whisper that Joy is headed back to Salem… and she isn’t coming alone. She may arrive:

• heavily pregnant
• or with a newborn baby in her arms

Either way, her return is set to explode into the middle of Stephanie and Alex’s life.

A Wedding Day Shock?

Imagine the scene: Stephanie and Alex standing at the altar, vows on their lips, the church glowing with flowers and hope. Then—just as they are about to say “I do”—the doors burst open.

Joy Wesley appears.

Pregnant. Exhausted. Or holding a baby that looks unmistakably like Alex.

This would be a classic Salem moment—dramatic, unforgettable, and utterly destructive.

Alex’s Heart Is Torn

Alex has always hinted he might want to be a father someday. But becoming one like this? The pressure could crush him.
He must choose between:

• stepping up for a child who may be his,
• and fighting for the woman he loves.

Stephanie’s World Is Shaken

Stephanie has never rushed into motherhood. She values independence and stability—and this situation threatens everything she envisioned for her future.

If Joy’s baby truly belongs to Alex, Stephanie must confront painful questions:

• Can she handle Alex becoming a father overnight?
• Can she build a future around someone else’s child?
• Does this betrayal make her reconsider everything?

Her love will be tested like never before.

The Perfect Salem Storm

Joy’s return fits seamlessly into the tradition of wedding-crashing secrets and shocking baby reveals that Days of Our Lives fans have loved for decades. The emotional fallout promises months of gripping storylines, heartbreak, and possibly redemption.

No matter how this plays out, Joy’s return guarantees:

• shifting loyalties
• broken hearts
• new beginnings
• long-buried truths resurfacing

Salem will never be the same.

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