Christmas has arrived in Salem once again, but as Days of Our Lives fans know all too well, the holidays in this iconic town are never just about twinkling lights and cheerful carols.

This year, the season comes wrapped in grief, unanswered questions, and the possibility of a revelation that could change everything. Into this emotionally charged atmosphere step Eli Grant and

Lani Price Grant, whose long-awaited return promises warmth, healing—and perhaps a truth powerful enough to rewrite Abigail DiMera’s fate.

For generations, Christmas in Salem has been a time of reflection, family unity, and remembrance. Nowhere is that spirit more deeply felt than in the Horton home, where tradition is sacred and memories linger in every corner. But this year, the familiar rituals carry a heavier weight, especially for Julie Williams, who faces her first Christmas without the love of her life, Doug Williams.

Julie has always been the beating heart of the Horton family, a woman defined by resilience, devotion, and an unshakable belief in the power of love. Yet even she cannot escape the quiet ache that fills the house this holiday season. The Horton ornament ceremony—an annual tradition symbolizing the lives and legacies of those who make up the family—takes on profound new meaning. Each ornament represents a story that never truly ends, even when life does. Doug’s ornament, once a symbol of shared joy and decades of love, now gleams with painful significance.

As Julie stands before the Christmas tree, her eyes fixed on Doug’s ornament, the scene speaks volumes. It is a portrait of solitude and memory, of a woman grappling with absence while surrounded by echoes of a life once shared. The glow of the lights reflects both love and loss, and for a fleeting moment, it feels as though grief might overwhelm her.

But Salem rarely allows its residents to grieve alone.

At the moment Julie’s sorrow feels most suffocating, she is enveloped in a double embrace from Eli and Lani. Their return is neither flashy nor dramatic; instead, it is tender, timely, and deeply symbolic. Family has come home. The warmth of their presence instantly shifts the emotional landscape, reminding Julie—and viewers—that even in loss, love endures through generations.

Eli’s return reconnects Julie with her grandson, rekindling memories of Doug’s pride and the unbreakable bonds that define the Horton legacy. Lani, who has shared countless moments of joy and pain with Julie, adds another layer of comfort. Together, they form a circle of strength around her, a quiet promise that while Doug may be gone, Julie is far from alone. This Christmas will be different—but it will not be empty.

Yet Eli and Lani’s return carries significance far beyond emotional support. In Salem, no comeback is ever without consequence. Every familiar face brings with it the potential to reopen old wounds, heal unfinished stories, or uncover truths long buried. And this year, one absence looms larger than any other: Abigail DiMera.

Abigail’s tragic fate continues to cast a long shadow over Salem, particularly during the holidays. For her husband Chad, her brother JJ, and everyone who loved her, Christmas serves as a painful reminder of what has been lost. Every ornament, every memory, and every mention of her name cuts deep. Yet in a town where death is rarely final, lingering questions refuse to be silenced.

For JJ Deveraux, the season is especially cruel. Grief has settled into his bones, and the festive cheer around him only sharpens the ache of his sister’s absence. He tries to hold himself together, but the unresolved questions surrounding Abigail’s death gnaw at him relentlessly. This is where Lani’s return becomes especially poignant.

Lani and JJ share a layered history—as colleagues, former lovers, and kindred spirits shaped by loss and regret. Lani understands grief intimately, and she recognizes the hollow look in JJ’s eyes. As she moves through the Horton house, sharing memories and quiet moments, it feels inevitable that she will be drawn to him. A simple conversation by the tree, a shared silence, or a recollection of Abigail could open the door to emotions JJ has long tried to suppress. Lani may be the one person capable of reaching him when he needs it most.

But emotional healing may not be the only gift Eli and Lani bring with them.

Whispers of doubt continue to swirl around Abigail’s supposed death. Was everything truly as it seemed? Were all the facts accounted for, or did grief and chaos obscure something vital? These questions linger in the hearts of those closest to her, especially Chad and Julie, who struggle to balance acceptance with a stubborn, aching sense of unfinished business.

Eli, with his background in law enforcement and investigation, is uniquely positioned to notice inconsistencies others might overlook. Even if he arrived in Salem intending only to celebrate the holidays, it wouldn’t take much—a stray comment, an overlooked detail, a forgotten report—to set his instincts in motion. In Salem, a Christmas visit can quickly turn into an unofficial investigation when someone like Eli senses a loose thread.

Lani’s role is equally crucial, though more emotional than procedural. She understands how trauma can distort memories and silence truths. She may be the one to gently ask the questions no one else dares to voice: Are we sure? Did we miss something? Whether through an old contact, a half-remembered conversation, or a detail that never quite made sense, Lani could be the spark that reignites doubt—and hope.

If Eli and Lani bring even the faintest hint of new information—rumors, inconsistencies, or reports that don’t add up—it could change everything. For Chad, the idea that Abigail might still be alive is both intoxicating and terrifying. He has endured the agony of losing her and the painful process of raising their children alone. To reopen that wound risks devastating disappointment, yet the possibility that Abigail could be out there, hurt or hidden, is impossible to ignore.

Julie, seasoned by a lifetime of love and loss, would likely urge caution. But she has seen miracles before, and Christmas has a way of softening even the most guarded hearts. Just as she honors Doug’s memory through tradition, she may find herself leaving space for the possibility that Abigail’s story is not yet over.

At its core, Eli and Lani’s return represents something fundamental to Days of Our Lives: the refusal to let stories end quietly. Their presence brings comfort to Julie, a lifeline to JJ, and potentially a turning point for Chad. As ornaments are hung and lights glow against the winter darkness, Salem stands poised between mourning and hope.

This Christmas may not simply be about remembrance. It may be about daring to believe in second chances, in hidden truths, and in miracles that only Salem can deliver. And if Eli and Lani are carrying a secret powerful enough to change Abigail’s fate, then this holiday season could mark the beginning of a stunning new chapter—one that proves once again that in Salem, love, hope, and mystery never truly fade.