Alex greets Stephanie with a kiss as she works, but she’s still distracted working on her hospital pitch to EJ. Alex promises he always has her back, and Steph’s grateful. Now, time to focus on their book launch.
He’s got blog interviews and podcasts lined up, which worries Stephanie, but he assures her they will all be over the phone. No one will figure out who she is. They go over some of the blurbs from authors who read advanced copies. Steph’s again unsettled by how fast this is moving.
He wants to use a passage from the book for press, and Stephanie freaks out and tells him he can’t use it. She wants Kate to take it out completely. Alex assures her nothing will be used without her approval, but she won’t admit why she got so upset. Instead, she just says it’s happening so quickly.
Stephanie leaves and Alex calls Kate to tell her he doesn’t know why, but the excerpt is out. Someone knocks on the door and leaves a package for Stephanie, but Alex doesn’t see anyone.
Javi and Sarah Bond Over Parenting
Out in the hospital reception area, Sarah brings Javi some coffee, and they talk a bit about Holly and Ari. He’s worried about PTSD, but Sarah says they’ve got amazing support systems. They confer a bit about all the threats to kids these days (which seem pretty Salem specific, since it mostly revolves around constant kidnapping), and Javi waxes a bit about how happy he is with Tesoro.
He’s not looking forward to giving him up, though. And Sarah says she knows the feeling, after Rachel and now Victoria’s with Xander and she’s missing her.
EJ and Kayla Fight It Out
Kayla’s talking to Bo on the phone when EJ comes in and she has to hang up. “That didn’t sound like a work related call,” he quips. The drug they used to save his life was developed there, she fires back. She’d think he’d like to know how it’s working.
After some more back and forth, EJ says he needs an office. And hers will do nicely. Instead, she offers him a utility closet by the morgue. EJ mock laughs at her wit, then makes it clear Kayla no longer runs the hospital. He does. And he’s going to keep it from going bankrupt.
Kayla yells at him about the budget cuts, and how it’s lowering morale and patient care, and EJ tells her she has to make it work, one way or another. That’s when Kayla tells him she either gets autonomy to run the hospital, or she’s resigning. She can retire early and enjoy life just fine — but she’s held off because she cares about the hospital and patients.
Either accept her resignation or back off. EJ sighs, then asks if he may use the office for his meeting. Kayla walks out and he looks unsettled after she’s gone.
Kayla Reassures Sarah
Sarah calls Xander and starts yelling at him about keeping Victoria from her, then it devolves into her telling him to screw himself and hanging up. Kayla wanders over and asks what’s wrong. “Everything!” Kayla hugs her, assuring her her feelings are valid. This is her daughter, and Xander is forcefully keeping her from seeing Victoria.
Kayla half-jokingly offers to have her brother send ISA agents over to scare Xander. She’s almost sorry she voted for him over EJ — but he’s still probably the lesser of two evils. EJ’s being infuriating and refusing to back down.
Sarah’s not sure Xander, with his temper, would be much better. “I am scared that his rage is blinding him so much that anyone can get caught in the crossfire.” She feels stupid for having a baby with a “ticking timebomb.” Kayla knows Sarah would never take back having Victoria, though.
EJ Hires Stephanie
Stephanie shows up shortly after her mom leaves, surprised to see EJ instead of Kayla. Still, they were supposed to meet, and she makes it clear she’s ready to work for the hospital.
Under certain, non-negotiable conditions. First, she won’t undermine her mother. Second, nothing unethical for him or the hospital. Fantastic, EJ responds, her terms are more than acceptable! They shake on it… And then Kayla walks in, shocked.
She’s ticked at Stephanie for ignoring her advice, and EJ for not telling her the meeting was with Stephanie. Kayla asks for time with EJ, and once her daughter is gone, gives him an order. “I will not let you corrupt your daughter.” He’s not looking to. He just wants her expertise as a publicist. “Good day.”
Melinda Promises Sophia Their Lie Will Work
Up in Chicago, Sophia’s pacing, worrying about lying about something this big, but Melinda assures her she’ll be by her side through it all. Sophia can do anything. The phone rings, and it’s Tate again, but Sophia won’t answer. He’s going to be heartbroken, and what if he someday realizes Tesoro is theirs?
Melinda assures her no one will figure it out. She’ll take care of the paperwork and Sophia just has to remember what they rehearsed. “Just go out into the world and live your life to the fullest.” Now… time to head home.
Tate Panics Over the Baby
Tate rushes home and breathlessly tells Brady they have to go — the baby’s coming! Then he breaks the kidnapping to a surprised Brady and moves on to worrying about Sophia and the baby. They have to get to Chicago right now! Brady stops his son before he runs out, though, saying he’s too wound up to drive. Brady will.
But Tate doesn’t know where she is or what hospital. Still, he has to try to find her. Before they can leave, Sophia calls, assures Tate she’s fine, and she’s on her way home. He’s stunned, but she says she already had the baby. It’s a girl!
Tate hangs up and Brady marvels that he has a granddaughter. Not for long, Tate says. But, “I can’t wait to meet her.” Tate laments how unready he is to be a parent. He tried going off on a trip with Sophia so close to her due date. But why didn’t she wait for him??
Brady tells his son she was probably anxious to get this all over with and move on. Tate worries that he won’t ever move on. He’ll always wonder how his daughter is doing. Tate doesn’t know how he’s supposed to feel. Brady can’t imagine how he’s feeling, but he can promise he’ll be with Tate no matter what. “I love you, dad.” They hug, both crying.
Leo Assures Javi He’s Changed
Leo’s looking after the baby while he talks to Chad about trial coverage while he’s stuck in jury duty. Once he gets off the phone, Leo worries about the possibility of Johnny actually doing it, and EJ being ticked if Leo has to go against him.
Javi gets home and updates Leo on Ari. She’s doing well, and Gabi hasn’t left her side. He then asks if Leo had any idea Doug would go after Ari and Holly. No! He didn’t even know Doug knew Ari! Javi believes him, but doesn’t get why Leo helped Doug in the first place.
Leo saw himself in Doug and hoped that helping him could get him off the path he was heading down. “You have changed me, Javi, for the better.” He’s happier, more honest and is an open book with Javi. Just like Javi is with him! The man in question just takes a swig of beer. Leo then gets ready to head out for diapers, worrying over the baby as Javi looks after him.
In the Show’s Final Moments
Leo runs into EJ in the square — almost literally. EJ says they need to have a chat. “Everyone in Salem knows your penchant for craven, greedy self-preservation.” Leo, though, says he’s not for sale. Anymore. And runs off, leaving an annoyed EJ behind. Leo gets home without the diapers, looks out the door worriedly and tells Javi about his run-in with EJ. Javi’s proud of him for standing up, though Leo’s terrified of the consequences.
Stephanie gets home and tells Alex she’s working for EJ. She then spots the mysterious package.
Kayla’s rushing through the hospital when she runs into Sarah again and gripes about EJ hiring Stephanie. She just worries about all her kids. Sarah knows — and for the record, she doesn’t regret Victoria. She just wishes Xander could see how much he’s hurting their daughter. Kayla suggests Xander seeing a psychiatrist — which Sarah finds laughable. But Marlena offers intense anger management counseling, maybe she could help.
Sophia knocks on Tate’s door, much to his surprise. How is she back already? And where is the baby? “She’s gone, Tate.”
