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In Marlena’s office, Kayla catches her friend up on her great Thanksgiving with the Kiriakises. In turn, Marlena relays that

the ISA called John away at the last minute. Kayla finds it odd that he didn’t tell Steve about it. Marlena isn’t even sure

how long he’ll be gone.

Using her cane, Sarah joins Maggie in the Kiriakis living room. Despite a couple of awkward moments, they agree Thanksgiving at the Brady’s was a lovely lunch. Sarah noticed Maggie was staring at Victor’s portrait when she came in. Maggie notes holidays drive home how much they miss loved ones not there, but Victor would want her to focus on her blessings. She tells Sarah Julie invited them over for dinner, but Sarah’s still full from the Pub. Maggie suggests they drop by for dessert to see everyone.

At the Horton House, Jack holds Julie as she processes that Doug has died. “He can’t be gone!” she exclaims, demanding to know if he’s certain. Jack is. He must have passed away in his sleep. Jack leaves the room to tell everyone as Julie collapses to the armchair in tears.

Eli fills Jennifer in on Jules and Carver in the dining room as Jack enters. Eli goes to his devasted grandmother and holds her close. Back in the dining room, Jack and Jennifer embrace. They agree Jack will take the kids to Maggie’s and tell Kayla the news while Jennifer makes calls. After Jack leaves, Jennifer stifles tears as she calls Hope, who is stunned into silence.

Eventually, through tears, Hope says she’s glad Jennifer is there, but she should be too. Jennifer promises to take of Julie until she is. Jennifer knows Doug understood Hope’s need to be close to Bo, but Hope cries over not being able to say goodbye and tell him how much he meant to her. Jennifer assures her Doug knew. “You were his princess.” Hope loved when he called her that.

After hanging up, Hope dissolves into tears. She flashes back to the gold watch Doug and Julie gave her for her 18th birthday. In the memory, Doug tells her she is loved and cherished the same way she was on the day she was born. “Oh, Daddy,” Hope cries in the present. Shawn finds Hope sobbing and learns his Grandpa Doug died. She tells him how proud Doug was of him even before he was born. That never changed. She flashes back to Doug giving her the baby blanket Addie made when Hope was a baby.

At the hospital, Kayla hangs up with Jack and shares the somber news with Marlena. Marlena’s at a loss for words.

At the Carvers’, Abe tends to the kids, as Lani catches Paulina up on her and Eli’s life in D.C. They rehash them moving back at some point and marvel over Eli’s close relationship with Julie and Doug.

In the Horton living room, Jack tells Julie that Kayla is sending an ambulance over. Julie wants to see him first. Eli leads her to the bedroom and then leaves to give her some privacy. Julie stifles sobs as she faces a lifeless Doug, who lies on his side.

Eli returns to the Horton living room and looks at Doug’s photo on the mantel. He answers a call from Lani, who wonders when he’ll be back. A tear runs down his face as he tells her has sad news.

Upstairs, Julie sits at Doug’s bedside. Caressing his face, she says, “I love you so much. You’re my whole world, you know.” Their lifetime of love wasn’t enough. Never enough. His love was her strength. “How can I go on without you?” she wonders through sobs. Julie flashes back to early in their courtship and then kisses Doug’s wedding band, still on his hand.

Lani comes to the Horton House as Eli hangs up with his half-brother Scotty. They embrace, and Lani calls Julie and Doug the perfect couple. They can’t imagine one without the other.

In the dining room, Jennifer hangs up with Lucas and remembers Doug and Julie being adorable together. Jack returns from giving Sarah and Maggie the news.

Shawn brings Hope hot tea as she remembers her father, but she wants to see Bo. Shawn offers to go with her, but she wants to go alone.

At home, Maggie recalls ballroom dancing with Doug decades ago when Sarah returns. Maggie tells her how they bonded over putting together a variety show fundraiser for the hospital. They recall how talented and effortlessly charming he was. Maggie tearfully looks up at Victor’s portrait. She knows what Julie’s going through and wants to see her.

Kayla comes to Julie and Doug’s room. “It was such an honor to know Doug,” she says. They’re all there for her, whatever she needs. Julie cradles Doug’s head. “Goodbye, darling,” she says. “I will love you forever.” She takes Kayla’s hand. Her gaze remains on Doug as they leave the room.

Kayla brings Julie to the living room where Lani, Eli, Jack, and Jennifer wait. Lani tells Julie what a beautiful person Doug is, and Jennifer embraces her. Later, Eli sets out the turkey in the empty dining room, but he isn’t sure anyone will have an appetite. Jack says Doug was always good at lifting others’ spirits. They should take up the mantle in his honor. Eli quips he’ll pass on the singing. Jack lightheartedly accepts that. He pours wine for the two of them and toasts to Doug, “A true gentleman of a bygone era.”

In the living room, Julie sits dazed between Jennifer and Lani. Kayla tells Julie the ambulance has left. Maggie and Sarah, Paulina, and then Marlena arrive to support Julie. She thanks them all for being there. It means the world to her.

Shawn calls Ciara as Hope sits with Bo in the hospital. Tearing up, she tells him her dad died. He always made her feel safe and loved no matter what she was going through. The only other person who ever made her feel that way was Bo. “I really, really need you right now, Brady,” she says, clasping his hand. His thumb rubs her finger. “Bo!” she exclaims.

Next on Days of Our Lives, Julie gets a shocking visitor, and Liz Chandler and Marie Horton return.