Photo: Drake Hogestyn (John) returns just in time for the holidays. But for how long?

Sonny remembers his affair with Paul, Abigail and Melanie catch up, and Jordan tells Ben about Kate. Everyone wonders the real reason Melanie returned, and some mystery woman calls Daniel’s place looking for Melanie.

Sonny and Paul discuss their past, Melanie’s goons find her in Salem, and Melanie and Theresa bond.

‘Uncle Bo’ is a distant memory.​ no word from him, nor will there ever be, really.

Some woman recognizes Aiden as having done “a bad thing,” Hope learns Aiden was poor before marrying his first wife, and Rafe lashes out at Kate for being mean to Jordan.

Melanie’s lookalike friend Serena comes to Salem, Daniel seeks Nicole out for advice on Melanie. Daniel, Nicole and Brady come to Mel’s rescue and uncover the trouble she is in, Sonny reminisces about being on road with Paul, and Eric and Marlena debate a request from Sami. (Forget about moving to Hollywood).

Victor worries about Will and Sonny’s marriage, Sonny learns his new agreement with Chad has him ‘holding the bag’, Serena admits she’s come to town for Eric and Brady gives Nicole romantic advice.

At the hospital, Maxine interrupts Melanie and Theresa’s cat fight, Paul promises Sonny he’s not in town to cause trouble, Eric and Serena reconnect and Rafe uses his FBI connetions to look into Clyde.

Jordan and Chad make love, Rafe goes to Victor for help in getting the dirt on Clyde, and Abigail and Ben get into the Christmas mood.

JJ opens up to psychiatrist Dr. Richards, Hope receives a warning, Aiden asks Chase to hide something and Kayla and Hope talk men.

Theresa is hurt when she witnesses Brady hugging Melanie, Serena asks Eric on a date, and Anne’s put in her place.

Aiden makes a threat to Bree, Nicole and Daniel agree to be friends for now, and Will’s new assignment has him removing his wedding band.

Mel taunts Theresa into attacking her, Brady tries to put an end to their catfights, and Eric shares his anger with Serena.

Kate goes after Tammy Sue, Rafe’s attempts to put Chad behind bars are thwarted by daddy Stefano, and Eric finds Nicole doing research on Serena.

Rory falls for Melanie, Nicole goes into Serena’s room to investigat her, and ​Will asks Paul about his love life.

Jennifer makes nice, Nicole is caught, and Chad antagonizes Rafe

Serena makes an admission to Eric, JJ learns Eve is lying, and Doug confronts Hope and Aiden

Eve and JJ do it again, Doug is forced to reconsider Aiden, Sonny dips into the joint bank account he shares with Will to pay for the new cafe, and Paul reminsces about his last Christmas.

Salem locals enjoy a (relatively) drama-free Christmas with their families.

The Hortons gather to hang the ornaments, Abe plays Santa for the kids at the hospital, JJ calls it quits with Paige, and John Black returns to Salem.

Updates: Secrets of Serena’s past will surface in the new year. John Black will reunite with Marlena, but no one knows for how long. And Jordan (Chrishell Stause) will be leaving in March 2015. Oh, dear!