Rafe catches up with Gabi in the kitchen, telling him that Shawn’s starting an investigation. In the meantime, they need to stay calm. But Gabi doesn’t stay calm. She’s not sure Ari will come back this time. Suddenly Gabi stops. “Wait, does Holly’s family know?”
Nicole’s in France and Maggie’s in Bermuda — so Rafe doesn’t think they need to know just yet. In the meantime, he tells Gabi again to stay calm. There’s nothing else they can do. Distract herself with work.
Gabi’s aghast. “Who cares about a stupid meeting??” OK, Rafe gets it and him telling her to calm down is pointless and stupid. He’s worried, too, and she’s entitled to panic. Gabi tries being more positive, though, saying Ari’s alright, wherever she is, and they will find her.
Shawn calls Rafe after going over CCTV footage and tells him the girls were kidnapped at gunpoint. “Oh my God.” Rafe takes a deep breath, and Shawn asks if he knows of anything or anyone the girls were involved with that would lead to this. Rafe has some ideas and rushes out.
Xander Comforts Gabi
Xander’s telling Victoria a story in his office, promising that they have to start getting to know each other again, and they’ll be spending a lot more time together. Though this office thing is just temporary. She’ll have the best nursery when they’re living together fulltime. “You’re more important than everything else in my life, Victoria. Now and forever.”
Eventually, Xander tells Victoria that he’s tired of waiting for Gabi and their meeting, they’re going for a walk. That’s when Gabi walks in and Xander tries dismissing her for being late, but she breaks down and tells him her daughter’s missing.
Xander immediately softens, and tells her to have a seat, offering to get her something. He’s a father and understands, asking if she has any idea where Ari could be. Also… what’s she doing there? She didn’t have to come in with this happening.
Gabi says Rafe told her to keep busy and keep out of the cops’ way. That’s fine, Xander says, if the Salem PD was at all useful. They aren’t, though. Maybe, but Gabi trusts her brother.
Will Sophia Change Her Mind?
Tate tries calling Sophia, but she doesn’t answer, so he just leaves a message, confused about why she didn’t say anything about Chicago. Sophia sees he left a voicemail, but just puts her phone back down, looking worried.
Melinda gets back to the hotel room with food and notices something’s wrong. Tate called, Sophia says, but she panicked and didn’t answer. “I don’t think I can do this.” Melinda sits her down and tells her she fully supports whatever Sophia wants to do. The teen doesn’t really know what she wants, she admits.
She breaks down telling Melinda about running into Leo and Javi with her son and how much she wanted to hold him. Melinda talks a bit about her own second guessing after leaving her daughter. Eventually the thoughts settle down. “So… how long was it?” Sophia asks hesitantly.
Melinda doesn’t have an answer — but it wasn’t that long. And Sophia still has time to reclaim her baby. But Sophia doesn’t want that. She’s not ready for motherhood, and her baby deserves parents who are.
Melinda insists she’s strong, resilient and brave. All of this is a lot for anyone. She made a difficult choice in a terrible situation. And Melinda is there for her no matter what. When she was pregnant, she wished she had someone to help her through. She wants to be that for Sophia. So for now, how about they watch a movie and eat?
Doug Hands Over the Money
Tate brings an envelope of money to Doug in the pub, telling him he doesn’t want a dime in payback. He could’ve asked for help weeks ago and Holly and Ari would be fine. He just needs to get the hell out of town. Doug will, and Tate informs him he’s sticking around to be sure he doesn’t screw up the meeting.
Tate sits and pretends to look through a menu as the loan shark shows up outside. Doug walks out with the cash and tells the thug he’ll hand it over once he knows Holly and Ari are free. But that’s not the way it works. Doug hands the cash over, just as Rafe walks up wanting to talk to Doug. The thug runs off, then Tate runs out and tells Rafe to stop the guy. He’s got Holly and Ari!
They chase after the guy, then reconvene at the police station, where Rafe lays into Doug for causing all of this and not telling anyone that he was threatening people. Shawn’s talking to the guy in the interrogation room, but this is all Doug’s fault.
Doug shows Rafe a photo of the girls the guy sent, so the FBI agent takes it and runs off to have someone look at it. Inside, Shawn questions the thug, telling him the mask didn’t hide him, they’ve got him on tape and they can put him away for a long time. Where are the girls?
Chad Knows Something’s Off With Cat
Chad runs into Cat and Felicity in a back street. Cat’s dropping Felicity off at gymnastics camp — which is where Chad just dropped Charlotte off. Felicity heads in and Chad and Cat catch up a bit. This is Charlotte’s second camp. Hopefully she at least has fun.
Cat offers to bring Charlotte home after, but Chad tells her it’s not necessary. Cat doesn’t think he trusts her with his kids, but Chad insists it’s because he promised Charlotte to be there. Cat assures him he doesn’t owe an explanation, but Chad invites her for coffee to wait for the kids together.
They grab their drinks in the square and catch up, talking about how busy they both are. Work, Felicity learning to drive. Then Leo calls to tell Chad that he has jury duty. That’s fine, Chad promises, they have plenty of reporters to send to cover the trial instead. (They do??)
He hangs up and sees James Smith calling Cat. She walks off to take it. Rafe sent the picture, asking if she can use her ISA resources to pinpoint where it was taken. And it’s an emergency. Cat heads back to the table and asks if he can pick up Felicity with Charlotte. No problem. But he looks thoughtful as she walks away.
Rafe heads back in to tell Doug and Tate he’s working on the photo, then Shawn comes out to say the guy isn’t talking. They all start yelling at each other, then. Rafe can’t go off on the guy. Tate should have said something before and Shawn needs to talk to Doug. He’s not arresting him, but he needs to ask questions. Cat calls Rafe once everyone else is gone and says she got a location.
In the Show’s Final Moments
Xander gently tells Gabi she can go home and get some rest. He can put together a reward for info on Abi’s whereabouts. “You’d do that?” Of course, he says. He’s happy to help. Gabi’s genuinely touched and thanks him, then starts hyperventilating over the thought of losing her daughter. Xander pulls her in for a hug.
Melinda and Sophia finish the movie and Trask suggests it’s time. Sophia needs to call Tate and tell him the story. Melinda has everything covered. Sophia calls Tate and leaves a message saying she’s in Chicago and in labor.
Chad brings Charlotte and Felicity to the square, offering froyo for everyone, but Felicity has to get to work. The DiMeras go to get some Froyo, when Tate rushes through the square, only for Felicity to rush over, needing to talk to him. She says she found Holly’s ring when she was over at gymnastics and asks Tate to give it to him. He takes it and stares at her.
