What began as a heartwarming celebration of family and new beginnings quickly spirals into chaos in one of the most gut-wrenching storylines Days of Our Lives has delivered this year.

Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) and Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) planned a joyous gathering to mark the official adoption of their baby boy, Tesoro—soon to be renamed Trey

, in honor of John Black. But what was meant to be a day of laughter, love, and family unity turns into every parent’s worst nightmare when their infant suddenly falls critically ill before the eyes of Salem’s elite.

At the DiMera mansion, the air is electric with joy. Pastel decorations and cascading flowers set a fairytale scene as the DiMeras and the Price-Carvers unite to welcome the newest addition to their intertwined families. Chanel, glowing with pride, has outdone herself with the menu—a sweet feast straight from her bakery. The smell of her famous sweet potato pie fills the air as guests toast to new beginnings. Johnny, ever the romantic, has arranged photographers to capture every smile, every tear, and every tender moment of the event.

But beneath the sparkling surface, complex emotions simmer. Among the guests are Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and Javi Hernandez (played by guest star), who briefly fostered baby Tesoro during his uncertain early weeks. Though both men support Chanel and Johnny’s adoption, the pain of letting go cuts deep. Leo’s signature wit falters as tears fill his eyes when he holds the child one last time. Javi’s comforting hand on Leo’s shoulder says what words cannot—the goodbye feels final, and it hurts more than either expected.

Aaron Green (guest star), the baby’s biological father, stands apart, his face a mask of turmoil. He signed away his parental rights out of love and practicality, but watching others cradle his child breaks him in ways he didn’t foresee. Meanwhile, matriarchs Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) bask in grandmotherly pride, blessing the child with love, wisdom, and the promise of protection from two of Salem’s most formidable women.

EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) delivers polite congratulations to his son and daughter-in-law, but his eyes reveal a flicker of inner conflict. Bound by a legal agreement to keep his distance, EJ struggles with exclusion from yet another family moment. He hides it well behind his aristocratic smile, though whispers hint that his work with Dr. Rolf (Richard Wharton) may soon drag him into darker dealings.

Then, in a chilling turn, the joy evaporates. Just as Johnny begins his heartfelt toast, thanking everyone for helping them reach this beautiful day, Chanel notices something wrong. Tesoro’s skin burns hot—too hot. His breathing becomes shallow and erratic. Within moments, his tiny body convulses in her arms, his bright eyes clouding over as panic grips the room.

“Call 911!” Chanel screams, her voice cracking with terror. The once-lively party descends into chaos. Guests drop their glasses, Paulina rushes forward, and Marlena’s clinical instincts kick in, helping Chanel perform first aid as they wait for paramedics. The scene is pure agony—Johnny frozen in shock, tears streaking down Chanel’s face as she rocks her son, whispering his name over and over.

When EMTs arrive, they move with practiced precision, inserting IVs into impossibly small veins, administering oxygen, and preparing the baby for transport. The once joyful decorations blur into the background as the parents follow the gurney, shattered, into the waiting ambulance. What was supposed to be a new chapter of happiness becomes a race against time to save their child.

At Salem University Hospital, Dr. Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) and her team spring into action. Tests are ordered—bloodwork, spinal tap, toxicology, imaging—but nothing explains the sudden onset of symptoms. Chanel, still in her party dress stained with tears, replays every moment in her mind. Did someone touch him? Was there something in his formula? The uncertainty tortures her. Johnny paces the halls, his filmmaker’s imagination tormenting him with worst-case scenarios.

EJ arrives, breaking his promise to stay distant, and immediately pulls every DiMera string available, calling in specialists worldwide. Paulina and Marlena stand as pillars of strength beside their children, providing the steadiness only grandmothers can.

Finally, after agonizing hours, Kayla emerges with a grim diagnosis. Tesoro has contracted a rare viral infection, likely passed by an asymptomatic guest who unknowingly exposed the baby during the celebration. The virus is harmless to adults but devastating to infants, attacking multiple organs and threatening his fragile life.

The news crushes Chanel and Johnny. Their day of joy—the day they declared their family whole—has become the source of their baby’s suffering. Chanel sobs that she should have protected him better; Johnny blames himself for insisting on a big party instead of a small, private ceremony. Kayla gently assures them that no one is to blame. “You couldn’t have known,” she says softly. “All we can do now is fight.”

For nearly two weeks, the family lives in the hospital. Leo and Javi refuse to leave, proving that love doesn’t end with adoption papers. Aaron wrestles with guilt, fearing his decision cursed the child. Ari Horton (Lindsay Arnold) comforts him, insisting love—not blood—defines family. Paulina and Marlena take shifts at Chanel’s bedside, their strength anchoring the young couple through sleepless nights.

After twelve agonizing days, a miracle—Tesoro’s fever breaks. His breathing steadies. Kayla offers cautious hope. The baby who nearly slipped away begins to recover. Chanel and Johnny, exhausted but grateful beyond words, hold their son for the first time since the nightmare began, whispering promises of love, safety, and a quieter future.

Weeks later, when Tesoro finally comes home, the house is quieter, the parents more guarded. The pastel decorations are gone, replaced by air purifiers and sanitizer bottles. Visitors must wash hands, and no one kisses the baby anymore. Yet in that changed space, love feels stronger—hard-earned, grounded, and fierce.

Chanel and Johnny’s celebration turned into a tragedy, but through it all, Salem saw what it means to be a family: to love without condition, to fight through fear, and to find light even in the darkest of nights. Their nightmare ended not in loss, but in rebirth—a reminder that joy and sorrow often walk hand in hand in the unpredictable world of Days of Our Lives.