Jillian, 29, chose Ed, a 29-year-old technology consultant -- but not before a stunning whirlwind swept her up until the last moment of her decision.
The finale kicked off with the two finalists, Kiptyn and Ed, meeting Jilllian's family. After talking and sorting through an awkward time spent previously on their fantasy date, Jillian brought Ed over to meet her parents, her grandmother and her cousin. Ed explained to Jillian's family his prior decision to leave her and then return, saying: "I knew that I let her down, and I let myself down." Jillian's mom, Peggy, grilled Ed with a list of 66 questions, and it appeared as though he passed with flying colors. "I just think that he's crazy over you," Jillian's mother observed of her time with Ed. Ed asked Jillian's father how he would feel if he popped the big question, to which her father replied: "I think I'm reading you the right way, and I like what I see in you…I would be really quite happy to see that take place. I'd be doing summersaults."
Next up, it was Kiptyn's turn to meet Jillian's family -- but not before the physically compatible Jillian and Kiptyn snuck in some steamy kisses. After hearing about Ed's affinity for his career, Jillian's family asked Kiptyn about balancing his work and his personal life, to which he replied: "I kind of work hard, play hard." Jillian's mom concluded: "I think Kiptyn is more like Jillian." Jillian's father asked Kiptyn if he's in love with her, and he replied: "I'm getting there a lot quicker than I thought I would…I definitely can see myself with Jillian, I can see myself marrying her."
After meeting both men, it appeared that Jillian's mom was leaning toward Kiptyn, while her dad thought Ed was the better match for her.
Still nervous after their less-than-steamy fantasy date, Jillian and Ed embarked on their final date, which included a helicopter ride around Hawaii's big island and a kissing session under a waterfall -- but this time the chemistry was not lacking. Ed proclaimed to Jillian that he'd never leave her again.
The next day, Kiptyn and Jillian enjoyed their final date together on a private beach, followed by an intimate night together. Kiptyn opened up and revealed: "I'm falling in love with you…I think that you should come and live with me."
Finally, it was time for Jillian to make her difficult decision. Kiptyn, with an engagement ring in his pocket, walked up to Jillian and finally revealed: "I love you and I want to spend this life with you." But a tearful and torn Jillian broke the news to Kiptyn that she did not choose him, saying: "I've fallen in love with somebody else."
In the limousine ride home, Kiptyn fought back tears and revealed that he had intended to pull out the engagement ring after letting Jillian respond to his proclamation of love, but never got a chance to. He said: "I've never had my heart broken before, but today I'm definitely heart broken."
But in a shocking twist, just as Jillian was awaiting Ed, newly eliminated contestant Reid arrived to profess his love for Jillian and, ultimately, got down on bended knee and proposed marriage, saying: "I know that you felt what I felt, and I thought just you knowing that was enough….I came back to tell you that and to tell you that I love you."
A shaken and confused Jillian pulled Reid up from the floor, telling him she needed time to give him an answer. After some soul searching, Jillian compassionately turned down Reid's proposal, saying she knew her heart was with someone else. "Our relationship is complete….I am 100% madly in love with Ed," she said.
Finally, Ed arrived, embraced Jillian, and said: "Jillian you may not know how much you've impacted me…you're everything that I could ever ask for in a woman.You're beautiful, you're intelligent, you're funny, you're confident, and you make me smile when I look in your eyes. I know that I love you, but before we go any further, I need to know if you love me." Jillian told him she loves him too, and couldn't wait to tell him that.
Then Ed romantically got down on one knee and said: "I want to be with you forever. I want a family with you. I want you to give me a hard time when we're 80-years-old. Jillian, will you marry me?" "Absolutely," Jillian shouted, accepting Ed's proposal.
"The Bachelorette: After the Rose Ceremony" airs Tuesday night on ABC.
Check out more wedding info and the ring on Celebrity Wedding Buzz.
What did you think of Major Owen Hunt's pig incident on the episode "Life During Wartime"?
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Comments (9)
Never trust a man that won't look you in the eyes when you're talking to him.....
SD Girl