Salem is no stranger to emotional turbulence, but the May 18, 2025 episode of NBC’s long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives delivered a heart-wrenching and dramatic pivot that left fans reeling. As viewers braced for yet another day of secrets and heartbreak, Xander Cook and Sarah Horton took center stage with a storyline that plunged them deep into an emotional and moral whirlwind: their desire to adopt Sophia’s unborn child.

This latest development isn’t just another plot twist—it’s a potentially life-altering arc that could reshape several family trees in Salem. Let’s unpack what happened in this emotionally charged episode and what it could mean for our beloved (and often beleaguered) characters.

Love, Redemption, and Regret: Xander and Sarah’s Emotional Crossroads

Xander (Paul Telfer) and Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) have weathered storms many couples wouldn’t survive. From betrayals and kidnappings to a complicated on-again, off-again romance, the couple has clawed their way back into each other’s arms—and into the hearts of fans. But despite their renewed commitment, one thing has haunted their relationship: the loss of their daughter Mackenzie (affectionately known as “Mickey”), who tragically died following the baby swap scandal involving Kristen and Brady.

This grief has lingered like a specter, often driving Sarah to retreat emotionally and pushing Xander to atone for past sins he can never fully erase. But now, they face an unexpected opportunity to become parents again—through adoption.

Enter Sophia Walker (guest star Ariela Sorensen), a young and vulnerable newcomer to Salem with a heart-breaking past. Pregnant, alone, and unsure of her future, Sophia has found an unlikely sanctuary in Xander and Sarah. Their connection with her grew quickly but organically, grounded in empathy and mutual trust. Sophia, feeling increasingly overwhelmed by her circumstances and lacking a stable support system, confessed to Sarah that she was considering adoption.

Sarah, deeply moved and sensing fate at work, floated the idea to Xander: what if they were the ones to give Sophia’s baby a loving home?

The Tension Behind the Hope

What followed was one of the most emotionally raw scenes in recent memory. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Xander—who has often masked pain behind bravado—confessed that the idea terrified him. “What if I ruin this child’s life too?” he asked, voice cracking. Sarah reassured him that he is no longer the man he once was. “You’ve changed. We’ve changed,” she insisted.

But just as the couple began to tentatively dream about the future, a chilling complication arose.

Sophia’s Ex Returns – And He’s Not Letting Go So Easily

In classic Days fashion, no path to happiness is ever smooth. Just as Sarah and Xander began exploring the legal and emotional implications of adoption, Sophia’s ex-boyfriend—Dylan Murphy (Brandon Beemer in a shocking guest appearance)—returned to Salem, determined to fight for custody of the unborn child.

Dylan, whose past with Sophia is fraught with manipulation and unresolved trauma, claims he has every right to raise his child. But viewers were quick to sense that his sudden reappearance may not be purely paternal. He hinted at knowing something about Sophia’s time away from Salem, something that could unravel her credibility and derail the adoption proceedings.

The courtroom drama seems inevitable, and fans are already buzzing about a possible three-way custody battle. Will Sophia side with Xander and Sarah, or will the pressure from Dylan force her to change her mind?

The Specter of the Past

What makes this storyline so powerful is the emotional history behind it. Sarah and Xander aren’t simply longing to raise a child—they’re haunted by the memory of the daughter they lost and the years spent apart because of their choices. The possibility of raising a baby together offers both redemption and healing, but it also brings back ghosts that neither of them has fully laid to rest.

In one of the episode’s most poignant scenes, Sarah visited Mackenzie’s grave, whispering through tears: “Maybe this is your way of sending us hope.” The scene, juxtaposed with flashbacks of their painful past, reminded viewers just how deep the scars run for this couple.

Ripple Effects Across Salem

As the news of Xander and Sarah’s adoption plans spread, the reactions from other Salemites were swift and divided. Maggie (Suzanne Rogers), Sarah’s mother, was cautiously optimistic, her heart aching with the hope that her daughter might finally find peace. However, not everyone was supportive.

Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker), still wary of Xander’s past deeds, warned Sarah that old patterns tend to resurface. “You can’t build a future on guilt,” she said, her words sharp but not unkind.

Meanwhile, the legal side of things is beginning to heat up. Belle Brady (Martha Madison), who returned briefly in this episode, offered to represent Xander and Sarah should things head to family court—a sign that this storyline is about to take a very public turn.

What’s Next for Salem’s Most Complex Couple?

If Days of Our Lives has taught us anything over its five-decade run, it’s that no one’s future is ever secure. The road ahead for Xander and Sarah will be paved with emotional landmines, legal roadblocks, and moral dilemmas.

Will Sophia follow through with the adoption? Will Dylan sabotage the process? Can Xander and Sarah truly move forward without being swallowed by their past?

What’s certain is that this storyline is destined to be one of the most impactful arcs of the season. With powerful performances, high-stakes drama, and deeply human storytelling, the May 18, 2025 episode has reignited passion and purpose in one of Salem’s most beloved couples.

Stay tuned, Days fans—the battle for love, family, and redemption has only just begun.