The 'Bachelorette' Finale: Ashley Hebert's Breakup Puts a Damper on Her Engagement Day

It was down to Ben F. and J.P. on Monday's finale of "The Bachelorette," when Ashley Hebert took her final two beaus to meet the parents'" or, even more frightening, her sister.

The setting was Fiji, where Hebert already enjoyed her overnight dates with the guys. Hebert says, "I'm so excited to get engaged in the South Pacific!"

But in a season where "The Bachelorette" was dumped a whopping three times (contestants Bentley, Mickey and Constantine all left the show voluntarily) is it possible that Hebert ended up alone?

Heck, no!

Meet the parents -- and Chrystie

Ashley tells her mom, stepdad and sister that she's in love. Yay! But she's not sure which guy to choose. Huh?

Ashley takes J.P. to meet her family at Vomo Island Resort and Spa. But Ashley's sister, Chrystie, isn't feelin' it. In fact, she thinks J.P. is no good for her sis. (She tells perky Ashley, "I think you're too much for him" and scoffs when Ashley's answer to the question "Does he make you laugh?" is '"I make myself laugh.") Chrystie later tells J.P all the reasons why he and Ashley shouldn't be together. Wow, with sisters like that who needs enemies?

Sis even pulls the Womack card-- as in she says she saw more chemistry between Ashley and former "Bachelor" Brad Womack than she does with Ash and J.P.

But the next day, sister Chrystie approves of the Sonoma wine maker Ben F., so his family gathering is much less dramatic. Ben F. is even comfy enough to tell Chrystie that he's in love with Ashley and ready to propose.

The Final dates

It's do or die time, as Ben F. has one last chance to woo Ashley. They take a helicopter ride over the Fijian seascape and frolic at some natural hot springs. But later Ben gets serious and says the "L" word.

Meanwhile, J.P. doesn't want Ashley's sister's opinion to ruin things, but her head's all messed up right now. Nothing that a gorgeous Neil Lane sparkler can't fix, but that's later in the show.

The Proposal(s)

Nothing is more humiliating than getting down on one knee and proposing to the woman of your dreams with the cameras rolling -- and then she says no. Just ask Ben F.

Yes, Ashley doesn't even stop him as he proposes (at least DeAnna Pappas stopped Jason Mesnick as he knelt down!) leaving Ben stunned. He says, "I wasn't expecting that" and storms off. Ashley chases him and tells him how great he is, but he tells her to stop sugarcoating things. He says "Good things don't end unless they end badly."

The breakup with Ben puts a big damper on Ashley's day. How is she supposed to enjoy her engagement now?

Luckily, Prince charming J.P. swoops in with his diamond ring and she easily says "yes" to his clich© proposal of, "Will you marry me? Make me the happiest man in the world?"

The happy couple turn up later on the "After the Final Rose" special, where they assure viewers they are still engaged. Hebert plans to finish up her dental school degree in Philly, then it's off to New York City to live with her man.

And they lived happily ever after.

The next "Bachelor" will be announced shortly. Think it will be Ben F.?

*****

Source:

"The Bachelorette," August 1, 2011, ABC TV