After running into Abe in the Square, Paulina invites him to Thanksgiving dinner. He says Steve and Kayla invited him to their dinner, but he’ll let her know. No pressure, she says, but she’ll buy enough for him just in case.

In their apartment, Sloan tells Eric they’re getting their baby tomorrow. He’s thrilled, but he can’t stop thinking about Nicole losing her child. Sloan’s heart goes out to Nicole and EJ, but they should focus on their dreams coming true, not Nicole’s nightmare.

As EJ tries to comfort Nicole, Stefan barges into the hospital room. He orders EJ to drop the murder charges against Gabi — now! EJ demands he have some compassion for Nicole. Stefan wonders where the compassion is for his wife, who is rotting away in Statesville because of EJ. After calming down, Stefan offers his condolences to Nicole. But while no one can stop their suffering, EJ can stop Gabi’s. Nicole urges EJ to talk to Stefan outside. She needs to be alone anway.

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In the interrogation room, Ava accepts a call from Clyde. He warns her killing Gil doesn’t get her out of their pact. When she spits back that he tried to rape her, Clyde accuses her of playing hard to get. He threatens Tripp before reminding her she needs to steal keys to the evidence room.

After finding out about Ava from Harris at the station, Wendy races to tell Tripp his mother’s in custody.

Harris enters the interrogation room as Ava shouts at Clyde on the phone. Clyde threatens Tripp again before Ava hangs up. She tells Harris she was talking to a defense attorney who was charging too much. Harris muses she might not even need one if he can prove she killed Gil in self-defense. She doesn’t think she’s ever had anyone stand up for her the way he does. He just wants her to be okay.

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After hearing from Brandon, Abe brings Nicole flowers to her hospital room. She admits she hasn’t been able to bring herself to answer her brother’s calls. Abe relays that Brandon loves her and is there for her if she needs him. When Abe recalls his and Nicole’s connection, she tells him he used to call her his bonus daughter. Through tears, she tells him how comforting it is to have him there. “Where else would a father be at a time like this?” he says.

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At the apartment, Sloan apologizes for sounding so selfish, but Eric says she’s right. They can’t let EJ and Nicole’s sorrow ruin their joy. Sloan suggests they think of a name for the baby. Eric suggests Samuel — Sam for short. Sloan can’t believe he wants to name their child after his sister, who is a hot mess. Eric says Sami’s also the most loyal and protective person he knows. Sloan recalls him telling her that Sami and Nicole didn’t get along very well. When she asks why, Eric tells her that Nicole stole Sami’s baby.

When Harris brings Ava to the squad room to take her statement, she fixates on his keys on the desk. After Wendy and Tripp rush in, Harris and Wendy give mother and son time alone. Tripp fumes that he’d kill Gil himself for trying to rape her if he wasn’t already dead. Ava assures him she’s fine, so he needs to stay out of this. Tripp won’t back off until she’s free. He makes a call to hire the best lawyer in town. Ava lovingly smiles, then shifts her gaze to Harris’ keys still on the desk.

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In her hospital room, Nicole tells Abe what a terrible person she used to be. So, maybe she wasn’t supposed to bring a child into this world. Abe assures her losing her baby was a tragedy, but it wasn’t punishment. She has a good heart, and she’s not alone. She has her friends and her family, which includes him. He pulls her into an embrace. Through sobs, Nicole whispers, “Thanks, Dad.”

After one of Clyde’s flunkies gets word to Stefan, who was on his way to visit Gabi at Statesville, he meets with Clyde. When Stefan balks at whatever it is Clyde wants, Clyde issues a veiled threat against Gabi. However, he can offer her protection if he gets something in return. Suggesting a partnership, Clyde suggests it’s time the DiMeras get back in the drug-running game.

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Abe finds Paulina in the Square. He just talked with Kayla, who has to work on Thanksgiving, and Steve is out of town on a case. So, he happily accepts her dinner invitation. She’s thrilled and asks him to help her carry her bags to the car. She has an important feast to prepare for the people she loves.

At home, Sloan can’t understand how Eric could forgive Nicole for what she did to his sister. Eric believes in forgiveness. Lord knows, he’s needed it. After explaining that Sami’s done some terrible things as well, he understands that desperate people do desperate things.

At the station, Tripp hangs up with Belle, who refused to take Ava’s case. As Tripp calls Justin, Ava swipes Harris’ keys. Harris returns from talking to Rafe, who didn’t see any reason to book Ava tonight. She’s free to go home.

Next on Days of Our Lives, Stephanie’s suspicious of Chad, while Paulina and Abe share a special moment.

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