Monday night on "The Bachelorette," Emily Maynard and her final three boyfriends traveled to the tropical paradise of Curacao. While this part of the journey usually entails overnight dates in a "fantasy suite," and, therefore, you were expecting a pajama party, think again!
Instead we got three one-on-one dates, two fantasy suite cards (one guy didn't get one!), and one broken heart. Yep, it's just another night on "The Bachelorette!"
Sean
The first date is with Sean -- and he definitely has his work cut out for him. Not only is he the only guy left who hasn't told Emily "I love you" yet, but now she's grilling him with the tough questions. (Like why did his family describe his past girlfriends as "buddies"?)
But there's nothing like a helicopter ride to a private island to set the perfect backdrop for those three little words. Except Sean is having trouble getting them out! He eventually does ("I have fallen in love with you, without a shadow of a doubt.") and then he sweetens the deal by reading a letter he wrote to Emily's 6-year old daughter, Ricki. "I'll never replace your father, but you'll always be my daughter," he tells Ricki.
When it comes time for the fantasy suite invite, Sean is careful to clarify that there won't be any hanky panky. "I would love the chance to stay up and spend the time with you and talk to you and no distractions -- just be with you," he says. And sure enough, we see Emily escort him out of the suite well before daybreak.
Jef
It's time for a romantic afternoon at sea, but one-F Jef acknowledges there are still a few obstacles in his way when it comes to winning Em's heart. (Yeah, like the other two guys?) "It's not over until I propose to her," he says.
In an interesting switcheroo, Jef does the grilling on this date. He asks Emily why her other relationships haven't worked out, would he be a good fit for Ricki, and where she'd like to live at the end of all this. (She's open to leaving Charlotte to start a whole new life. Salt Lake City, anyone?)
Fantasy suite card time -- and Jef has the perfect, gentlemanly response. He declines the invite out of respect for their families, who will be watching the show. "I think there's a time and a place," he says. "I plan on spending every night with you in our own fantasy suite."
Arie
On their final date, Emily and Arie kiss. And kiss. And kiss. Oh, and they do a little swimming with the dolphins. Then it's back to kissing. Emily does break away from the permanent lip lock to ask Arie a few questions. Like, what does he do on a Tuesday morning? Answer: He sleeps until 9. In the end, Arie is the only guy who doesn't get a fantasy suite invite. Emily doesn't trust herself alone with him in a suite. "At the end of the day, I don't trust myself. I won't let myself go there," she says.
The Final Rose Ceremony -- Ever!
Yes, it's that dreaded final rose ceremony, the toughest one of the season. And Emily is making sure we all know just how gut wrenching this whole thing is. "This week more than ever, I just wish that there was more time," she tells host Chris Harrison.
Unfortunately for Sean, he's the one who's out of time. After tearfully doling out roses to Jef and Arie, Emily says goodbye to the hunky insurance salesman. "I feel kind of stupid," Sean tells Emily. "I was ready to spend forever with you."
Looks like forever is just a fantasy!
The next episode of "The Bachelorette" airs on Monday night at 8/7c on ABC.
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