The Bachelorette / Finale

Storybook Ending

They're engaged! Emily and One-f Jef.

Well, folks, it's all over. Or is it just beginning? By now you know that Emily Maynard picked One-f Jef to be her main man. He got on one knee on a sunny day in Curacao and asked her to marry him. And she said yes. And it took two hours of extremely manipulative TV programming and editing to get us there. Actually, it took 10 weeks of extremely manipulative TV programming and editing to get us there, but I'm not bitter. I knew what I was signing up for from the start. And in spite of some natural cynicism (I'm a romantic, not an idiot), I have high hopes for Em and Jef. If they're smart, they'll follow in the footsteps of Trista and Ryan (you know, the original Bachelorette and her hunky firefighting man), get themselves hitched and live happily ever after.

This season's fair-haired bride-to-be was thoughtful and gracious throughout the process, but she showed some extra class in the way she let her No. 2 man, race car driver Arie, go on the finale. It was awful, sure. Absolutely cringe-worthy -- what breakup isn't? But rather than go the ultra-humiliating route of seasons past and let the poor schmuck get on one knee, ring-in-hand, before hitting him with the news (yes, Ashley Hebert, I'm talking about you), Emily said her goodbye to Arie on what was to be their final date. She faltered a little (did she really expect him to comfort her?) But her instincts were right on. Why drag out the drama when her mind was -- at last -- made up? And he, for all his bad grammar and weeks of excessive lip lickin' 'n' lockin', redeemed himself at the moment of truth. He was respectful and sweet, without being a wuss. In a word, dignified. 

Arie as Juliet's nurse. New career?

Good goin', Arie ... may the force be with you. And if racing doesn't pan out, there's always the Royal Shakespeare Company.

What else is there to rehash? There are some positives about One-f Jef to take from his demeanor throughout the finale. First, he didn't head for the hills after meeting Emily's family (frankly, her brother would have sent me packing), and second, he stuck to his guns about wanting to meet Ricki, his potential stepdaughter. When the latter happened and it went well (Jef's a natural), ya kinda figured Arie was out of luck. How tacky and irresponsible would Emily have been to introduce a second guy to her 6-year-old the very next day? Instead, she let Jef into her inner circle, sealing the deal once and for all. 

Happily ever after? Let's hope so! Jef, Emily and Ricki.

So now I'm repeating myself, but only time will tell if this union will last a lifetime. Things are off to a promising start, if the live "After the Final Rose" segment is any indication. Emily and Jef shared a kiss and announced some future plans. He'll be relocating to Charlotte, N.C., so as not to uproot Ricki. They'll be jetting off to Africa to do some charity work.

After no fewer than 19 (yes, 19!) post-show breakups in the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, it certainly would be refreshing to witness a true success story. This hopeless romantic will be crossing fingers and periodically checking the mailbox for a wedding invite. Hey, stranger things have happened.