Days Of Our Lives Relationship Timeline: Eric And Nicole
"Days of Our Lives" fans could debate for hours about the best super couple ever. There's a strong case to be made for so many of the couples from; Bo and Hope Brady, John Black and Marlena Evans, Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis, or even Steve Johnson and Kayla Brady (via Soap Hub). Couples like Jack Deveraux and Jennifer Horton, and Sami Brady and EJ DiMera could also be in that discussion (adds Fame10).
Longtime "DOOL" viewers may even consider some classic couples like Tom and Alice Horton, or Doug and Julie Williams as some of the best love stories to ever appear on the NBC soap opera (via Fame 10). It seems that every fan has their favorite couple, and for some they can't get enough of Eric Brady and Nicole Walker's decades-long romance, which has been filled with too many twists and turns to count (via Soaps).
Eric and Nicole fell hard and fast for one another
Eric Brady (Jensen Ackles, Greg Vaughan) first met Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) when she was working as a waitress at the Java Cafe. After Eric landed a job as a photographer he was sure that Nicole would make a perfect model and convinced his twin sister, Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) to offer her a contract (via Soap Central). Nicole later appeared on the cover of Bella Magazine. As Nicole and Eric began to fall in love, "Days of Our Lives" viewers learned that she was carrying some dark secrets from her past. Those secrets came back to haunt her, and when Lucas Horton (Bryan Dattilo) convinced Nicole to marry him so that he could gain custody of his son, Will, Nicole complied.
As Lucas and Nicole's relationship began, Eric moved on and began dating Greta Von Amberg (Julianne Morris), per Soaps in Depth. However, he still carried feelings of love for Nicole. When Greta found out that Eric hadn't moved on, she ended their relationship. Eric decided to leave Salem soon after but told Nicole that he would always love her.
Eric and Nicole reunited after a decade apart
After Eric left Salem, Nicole moved on with her life. However, "Days of Our Lives" fans were thrilled when after a 12-year absence, Eric returned. Nicole was stunned when she came face-to-face with Eric after over a decade apart. She was even more surprised when she realized that Eric had become a priest since the last time that she saw him (via Soap Central). Eric took a job at St. Luke's church and even hired Nicole as a secretary. However, as they worked closely together, both Nicole and Eric began to realize that they still had strong feelings for each other.
Soon after, a sex scandal orchestrated by Kristen DiMera (Eileen Marie Davidson) caused Eric to exit the priesthood, and he struggled about what the future held for him. He eventually decided that he would leave his days as a priest behind and enter into a relationship with Nicole. Sadly, he found out that Nicole had evidence that could have been used to clear his name and restore his position as a priest, but she destroyed it out of fear of losing him forever. Nicole and Eric had a falling out over the incident, and Eric eventually began dating an old friend named Serena Mason (Melissa Archer), per Soaps in Depth. All the while, Nicole started a relationship with Dr. Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian).
Eric and Nicole's relationship went from bad to worse
"Days of Our Lives" watched Eric and Nicole go on with their lives, but it was obvious that there was still a spark between them (via Soaps in Depth). Sadly, after Serena was murdered by The Necktie Killer, who turned out to be Ben Weston (Robert Scott Wilson), Eric felt very guilty about her death. He began drinking to mask his pain and soon developed an alcohol abuse problem. Eric's constant drinking led him to make some very poor decisions, and on New Year's Eve he got behind the wheel of his car and drove drunk, eventually causing an accident that killed Daniel. Nicole was furious with Eric, and wanted nothing more to do with him.
Eric eventually recovered from his injuries and turned himself in to the police. He was sentenced to five years in prison but was released early due to good behavior. He returned to Salem, but found it hard to live in the same town with people who knew and loved Daniel, especially Nicole (via Soaps in Depth). Later, when Nicole was sentenced to community service, she was forced to work alongside Eric at the Horton Center.
Eric and Nicole's marriage ends
After Daniel's death, Nicole began dating Eric's stepbrother, Brady Black. Nicole struggled to forgive Eric for killing Daniel, but working closely with him at the Horton Center helped the two mend their relationship. Eventually, their old feelings came back and Nicole realized that she still loved Eric. However, she felt guilty because she was dating Brady. When Brady found out what was going on between Eric and Nicole he blackmailed Nicole into dumping Eric and leaving Salem (via Soaps in Depth).
Eric was heartbroken and leaned on Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves) before moving on to a serious relationship with Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey). However, once the truth about Nicole came out and she returned to Salem, Sarah opted to step aside so that they could be together. Nicole and Eric eventually got engaged and finally tied the knot. Not long after getting married, Eric's niece, Allie Horton (Lindsay Arnold) showed up at his doorstep pregnant and the couple agreed to help her raise her child (via Soap Dirt).
However, Eric was called away to work in Africa and left Nicole behind. The distance became too much for Nicole and she ended up having a one-night stand with Xander (Paul Telfer). When Eric came home and found out about the affair, he confronts Nicole, she apologizes and sobs, (per Soaps).
Eric and Nicole have a long history, filled with many ups and downs. However, many fans are still rooting for the pair to get their happy ending.