*Warning: Spoilers ahead*
Last week on The Bachelor, Colton Underwood sent home Caelynn after meeting the final four contestants’ families. And now, the 26-year-old star finally gave us the moment we’ve been waiting for: the infamous fence jump.
Here’s what went down in season 23, episode nine of The Bachelor.
The show picks up right where we left off in episode eight, with Underwood asking to speak to Chris Harrison after the rose ceremony. He pulls him aside and reveals that he’s nervous about the upcoming Fantasy Suites. (Called it.)
When Harrison asks what are his expectations, Underwood says he doesn’t want to put a timeline on his virginity. However, that doesn’t mean his v-card is totally off the table.
“If I feel like I’m in love, I could see it happening. 100 percent,” he says.
When he returns to the group, Underwood takes the three remaining contestants—Cassie, Hannah G. and Tayshia—to the Algarve region of Portugal, where they embark on the most important dates of the season. Gulp.
In true Bachelor form, Underwood invites Tayshia to Cape St. Vincent via helicopter. Thanks, ABC!
“I figured we’d spend the day like we only know how,” he says.
In an interview with producers, Underwood confirms he’s “falling in love with Tayshia,” and this is getting really old, really fast.
After taking an aerial tour and cracking jokes about extra-virgin olive oil, they sit down for a picnic on a cliff overlooking the ocean. When Tayshia brings up the Fantasy Suite, Underwood reveals that he’s not expecting to get physical. Instead, he’s more excited to have intimate conversations sans camera crew. *Eye roll*
At dinner, the conversation goes nowhere. Not only does Tayshia have several nip slips (thanks a lot, boob tape), but they also can’t stop talking, er, giggling about the impending overnight date.
After Underwood thanks her for letting him meet her family, Tayshia dives into a story about how much she values his virginity, considering she saved herself for marriage with her ex-husband.
Right on cue, Underwood hands her an envelope from Harrison, which includes an invitation to the Fantasy Suite. They happily accept before heading off to their joint room, and Tayshia is on cloud nine.
“I don’t know if he’ll wake up a virgin tomorrow,” she tells the producers. “If he has a big smile tomorrow morning, you can kind of guess why.” TMI.
The next day, the camera pans around the room, revealing a set of robes lying on the floor. Although Tayshia describes the night as “a new experience for both of us,” she confirms that no virgins were harmed during the Fantasy Suite. One down, two to go.
The next day, Underwood picks up Cassie in an old vintage car, and she’s starstruck.
“You look so cute,” she says far too many times.
Since it’s both their first time in Europe, Underwood takes her to explore the area. This consists of making out at various locations, stopping for lunch and purchasing matching pajamas. (You know, for the overnight date.)
“You make me so happy,” they say in between smooches.
When Underwood brings up the hometown date, he admits that her dad rejected his blessing. Cassie is understandably upset, considering Bachelor in Paradise her relationship is flashing before her eyes.
Although she’s mad he didn’t tell her sooner, Cassie tries to brush it off, despite being “confused” and “frustrated.”
Later on, a van pulls up to the hotel, and Cassie’s dad hops out. When he knocks on her door, Cassie is genuinely surprised. After joking he “was just in the neighborhood,” he reveals that he’s concerned about her impending engagement.
When he asks if she loves Underwood, she hesitantly responds, “I think I do…yeah.” Although she wishes they had more time, she can’t see her life without him. He reminds her that marriage is a “lifelong decision” before adding that she doesn’t seem confident in her feelings.
“I want what my mom and my dad have, and I don’t have that right now,” she says before adding, “I have to send myself home tonight.”
Poor Underwood is on a completely different page. “I love Cassie. I want to be with Cassie,” he says in an interview with producers.
That night, Cassie doesn’t waste any time filling him in. She reveals that she doesn’t want him to leave the show without what he came for: a fiancee. He fires back, saying none of that matters if it’s not with the right person.
Although she “loves him so much,” she’s “having doubts.” When he asks if she’s planning on leaving tonight, Cassie responds “yes,” and Underwood loses it. He puts his head in his hands, prompting Cassie to leave the room, saying, “I can’t.”
Outside, she whispers to herself, “Now I’m second-guessing it.” Make up your mind already!
When Underwood finds her, he reassures her that he’s willing to wait for her. However, Cassie doesn’t know if she’ll ever get there. So, Underwood lays it all on the table.
“It’s not easy going on dates with other women when all I think about is you,” he says before adding, “the last thing I’m going to do is give up.”
Although he doesn’t want her to put a timeline on her feelings, Cassie can’t seem to get out of her head. When he tells her he’s in love with her, she stares blankly at him.
Underwood doesn’t stop, adding, “I want a future with you, and I’m telling you right now at the end of this, I want to be with you.”
When she tells him she can’t do this anymore, Underwood gets up, walks her out and says goodbye. After pressing his forehead against hers (barf), Cassie gets in the car and drives away.
When Underwood returns to his room, he grabs his coat and brushes past the producers. Harrison tries to approach him, prompting Underwood to hop the fence and disappear into the night.
“He is gone,” Harrison says right as the screen reads, “To be continued.”
Be sure to tune into The Women Tell All tomorrow, March 4, at 8 p.m. on ABC, followed by the two-night Bachelor finale beginning Monday, March 11.
