Days of our Lives Recap Jan 21: Chad and Jennifer reach an agreement

In the Days of our Lives recap for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Chad and the Devereauxs go to mediation, Julie hosts her first book club, and Thomas works through his feelings.

Days of our Lives Recap

Marlena ran into Cat and Felicity in the square, and Marlena suggested that Cat come work for her, but she didn’t want to upset EJ by being poached. After Marlena left, Felicity noted that she seemed sad and chalked it up to missing Chad.

At the bookstore, Julie fussed over the details about her book club as she stressed about the custody mediation. Maggie arrived, but Marlena was running late.

Marlena eventually came after they started without her. Maggie had said she related to the author who had been widowed twice. Julie cried that sometimes she had conversations with Doug, even though he was gone.

Foster asked Marlena about the books, but she didn’t have much to say and just wanted to listen. Julie cracked a joke about Marlena being a psychiatrist, and they always just listen and don’t reciprocate.

Marlena said she wasn’t there as a psychiatrist and wouldn’t be reciprocating, so she should just go.

Julie felt bad for making the joke, but Marlena said she just wasn’t ready. Foster and Maggie told Julie she would be back when she was ready, and thought it was encouraging that she had read the book at least.

At the Horton house, Jack, Jenn, and Chad found out that the mediator wanted them to meet without lawyers. The three met with Agnes Feldner at her office.

Chad was given the opportunity to start, so he led by saying why he should keep his kids. He emotionally told of Abigail’s death, and how, one day, he’d lost his temper with Thomas.

Chad said he confided in Jennifer, and she advised him that he didn’t always need to be wise and wonderful; he just needed to be there. Chad added how he and Thomas worked through the issues and moved forward through grief.

The story of Cat was told, and Chad explained how he found forgiveness, just like everyone deserved forgiveness for things they had done that hurt people. The mediator pressed for details, so Chad said that Jennifer was addicted to painkillers in the past.

Jack and Jenn couldn’t believe Chad said that, and Jack tried to end the mediation. Chad clarified that Jennifer had been clean for years and his kids were safe with her, as they were with him.

Jennifer interrupted to say how upset Thomas was to find out that Chad and Cat were dating. Chad was allowed to speak until it came to the misunderstanding when he hugged her, then Jennifer talked over him.

Chad angrily told Jack and Jennifer that he would always put his kids first, and what they saw was a misunderstanding. Jennifer said she didn’t believe him.

Upset, Chad told Jack and Jennifer that they didn’t want to see him with anyone but Abigail. Jennifer said it wasn’t true, but whoever he was with could not be Cat Greene.

The mediator dialed down the emotions. She asked why they chose mediation, and Jennifer told her about the kidnapping. She said that at first they wanted to take the kids away from Chad’s family to keep them safe.

When they saw how glad Thomas was to have his dad back, they realized they were going about it all wrong. However, they weren’t backing down.

Chad told Jack and Jenn that he and Melinda had come up with a proposal: Chad retains full legal and physical custody, but the kids could visit for a month once a year.

Jack said that when they first brought the lawsuit, they wanted full custody. They said they would drop their custody suit if Chad agreed to never see Cat Greene again.

Chad agreed to that part but then Jennifer added two months visitation and holidays. She also wanted to have custody reviewed if Thomas wanted to live with them.

Chad said absolutely not. He didn’t think it was right to give Thomas the ability to hold it over his head every time he enforced a rule he didn’t like, or be able to decide where his sister lived. Jennifer relented, so Chad agreed.

At home, Thomas was doing his homework with Jeremy, but he was worried about the meeting. Thomas thought everyone was mad at each other, and he blamed himself.

Thomas said he didn’t know if he still wanted to move to Boston. Jeremy suggested he only asked because he was mad. “Yeah, but Grandma and Grandpa think I did mean it and now they’re trying to make it happen,” Thomas lamented.

Jeremy said it wasn’t too late; he could tell them how he feels, but he thought everyone was already so mad that it would make it worse. 

Thomas knew mediation was that day, but didn’t really understand what it was, so Jeremy explained it to him. 

Thomas shared that he didn’t know if he’d trust Chad again. Jeremy said he’d never know if he didn’t give him another chance. “I’ll try,” Thomas agreed.

Jack and Jennifer came in and told Thomas that they’d come to an agreement and told them what it was, including his promise not to start a relationship with Cat Greene ever again.

“So, Thomas, what do you think?” Jack asked. Thomas said it wasn’t good enough. He wanted to know how they knew Chad wouldn’t lie about Cat again.

Chad went to the bookstore to see Julie and get some books for the kids before going home. Julie was thrilled at the news and hugged him.

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