[dramatic music]
- I can't wait to see her.
- What do you think's gonna happen when they walk in?
- I don't know.
- What are you gonna do if they're hand in hand?
- Oof.
- It's never happened before, right?
So... - Yeah.
She's never brought home a guy.
I've never seen Maria affectionate with a guy.
Oh, not that for sure, never.
- Yeah, no way.
- Very soon, we're gonna meet them, see them together,
and then we'll know.
I'll know.
♪ ♪
[Dr. John's "Down in New Orleans"]
[upbeat bluesy music]
- ♪ In the South Land ♪
♪ There's a city ♪
♪ Way down on the river ♪
♪ Where the women are very pretty ♪
♪ And all the men deliver ♪
♪ You want do some livin' before you die ♪
♪ Do it down in New Orleans ♪
♪ ♪
- Today I am in New Orleans.
It is the first Hometown of this whole entire thing,
and this week is a really big deal.
I have four amazing women,
and I can't wait to meet their families.
I want to be a part of their family
as much as they are a part of mine.
So I'm hoping that after this week,
we have the ability to look forward to
what can come at the end of this
and where our relationship can continue to grow to.
That's the best-case scenario.
♪ ♪
- [laughs] - Hi.
How are you?
- I'm good. How are you?
- ♪ Dreams do come true in New Orleans ♪
- Good to see you. - How are you?
I missed you. You look fabulous.
New Orleans looks great on you.
- Looks great on you too.
What are we doing today?
- I can't tell you yet. - OK.
I'm ready for it. - So I'm excited.
Let's go. - Let's do it.
- It's a big day. We're in New Orleans.
Joey means a lot to me,
and this place means a lot to me.
So I'm just excited to, like, show him things
that I like to do here.
- This is pretty. - It is.
It's stunning.
I love this place.
- OK, don't hit this huge thing.
- Oh, no. Oh, no.
- Oh, no. - Oh, no!
Oh, no!
Keep it straight.
- No hand. - No.
- One hand.
- No.
Fact that we're off-roading on this thing--
- We're pretty good. - We're doing it.
- And you said we were gonna fall.
- Don't use the F word.
- The last time I rode a tandem bike was with my mom.
She passed a couple years ago.
And riding around City Park with Joey,
it feels really special.
And it feels like, you know, home.
- This is beautiful here, though.
- I know.
Look at the little butterfly!
[laughs]
- I want to see a butterfly like you did.
- Do you see it?
- Uh-huh, I do.
- My one-on-one in Spain,
I told him how whenever I see butterflies,
I always think it's my mom.
Oh, look, look, look, look.
- There's a butterfly?
- Yeah.
I woke up a couple times last night.
I felt like, you know, she was there.
I think that she's definitely, like, watching over this.
- You're excited. - I know.
I'm excited that you're here.
- I'm excited that I'm here too.
I missed you.
- You know, I wish that she could meet Joey.
I would just want her opinion, tell her every little detail,
and how Joey makes me feel
and how I want to make him feel.
- Where are we going? - Let's get some beignets!
- Beignets, let's do it. - [laughs]
I'm starting to fall for him.
So I think that she would be really excited for me
and really happy.
But it is difficult.
Um...
[laughs] There's a butterfly.
Um...um...
yeah, it is difficult just thinking about, like,
the future and, like, knowing that she isn't gonna
be there for those big moments.
It's hard.
- You want to share one?
- Yeah.
There you go. - Beautiful.
- Thank you.
- Is there any way to eat these and not be messy?
Attagirl.
[camera shutter clicking]
Got someone in a wedding dress over there.
- Wait. What?
I think she's taking her pictures.
- So--
- What are the odds, though, that, like, she's just
walking around taking bridals, and we're just like--
- How does that make you feel seeing that?
- I mean, I think it's, like, an exciting idea.
- Yeah?
- You know, in a couple weeks, like, that--
you know, that could be my--
you know, in the cards for me.
- Mm-hmm.
- Every step, it, like, feels like it's, like, real.
- Mm-hmm. - Especially, like, you, like,
meeting my family today and everything,
I think it's exciting.
But, yeah, I'm not gonna lie.
Like, I am pretty terrified, um,
about just, like, you know--
'cause I don't really know, you know, like, what could happen.
- Like, what scares you?
- I don't know. Like, being--
getting heartbroken. - And I understand that.
I've been in that position.
I know how hard it is to kind of let yourself go
or be fully in it with all of that.
And I'm still fearful that at the end of this,
I'll be that person that, you know,
gets down on one knee,
and then the person I'm with isn't fully there.
All I can ask is for you to be fully how you feel
and be honest with yourself,
because that's what I'm trying to do too.
I'm so ready, and I just--
I want the person I'm with to be ready too.
- It's nice to hear you say that.
- Cheers to seeing the potential future.
- Cheers to love and marriage and all the beautiful things
that come along.
- I like it.
My biggest fear would be that Kelsey lets
that fear of heartbreak take away from her
giving into what all of this can be.
All the time that we put in and all of the real feelings
could be for nothing if she lets that fear get in the way.
- Second line. - Second line.
[band playing]
She has real fears like I do.
But I just want us to give into this fully,
because I see that future with her.
♪ ♪
♪ Oh, when the saints go marching in ♪
[soft music]
♪ ♪
Going through the streets of New Orleans
and being able to just interact with each other,
have some fun, and seeing Kelsey in her element today...
- This little place called Molly's.
- She has this brightness to her.
She has this different level of excitement and joy
that is just contagious.
I just know I could be happy every day
if Kelsey was the person I was with.
♪ ♪
- Oh, my God.
I'm, like, just beaming.
- I can tell.
I love that, though.
I love seeing you this excited today.
Like, it's just-- this is bringing out
a different side of you.
- This week, like, especially, like,
you meeting my family and everything is so exciting.
And then I start thinking about your family.
I also think about your mom.
I think about if they would like me.
- I love that you're thinking about that.
- Yeah. [laughs] - I do.
That's down the road, but it's also not that far away.
So I love that you're thinking about it.
- Yeah.
- Speaking about Mom, today is one of those days
I'm sure that's a little bit tough.
- Yeah. - So how are you doing?
- Um, yeah, I feel like it is hard.
Like, I obviously wish that--you know,
that she could meet you.
I think that she would love you.
I think that she would ask you some difficult questions
that need to be asked.
But, yeah, no, I miss her a lot.
I miss her in moments where it's like--
it just feels like she should be here.
[crying] Um...
- It's OK.
- But I know it's gonna be hard
for, like, even my dad, like, going through this without her,
you know, being like, oh, my gosh.
At the end of this, like, my daughter could get engaged.
Like, big life moments, like, none of this makes sense.
And, like--like, why isn't she here for this?
But I don't know.
Like...
- She is in her own way.
- Yeah, she is.
- It's OK. - Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
You make me feel amazing...
even when I'm sad.
My mom would love Joey.
I think that she would, like, squeeze his face.
And I just miss her.
[somber music]
Her opinion of people always mattered so much to me.
But now I do really rely on my dad.
Do I have mascara under my eye?
- No. You look beautiful.
- [laughs]
But are you ready to go meet them?
- I'm so ready.
- All right, let's go.
- Let's do it.
I think tonight is very important.
So I want it to go well.
I'm not really sure fully what to expect.
But I'm ready to, you know, answer difficult questions.
I'm ready to just, like, tell them
how much I care about Joey.
And hopefully, Joey tells them the same.
♪ ♪
[squeals]
♪ ♪
[soft music]
- Yay!
I'm pumped. - I'm excited.
It's gonna be great.
- Today couldn't have went better for Joey and I.
But heading to tonight, I'm feeling pretty anxious.
I love my family so much.
They mean so much to me.
And you never really are sure
going into any situation like this
what reservations they have to it all.
- This it? - Yep.
It's just, you know, very important to me
to get validation from them.
♪ ♪
- [gasps] Speaking of.
- Birdie!
- Going into tonight, I'm very nervous.
I know how important her family is.
I know how special of a person her dad is.
- How's it going? - Hey, Joey.
How you doing? I'm Mark.
- So nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
- So if tonight doesn't go well,
I know she'll be crushed.
I want to have a future with Kelsey
and have no doubt that what we have is worthwhile
and strong and real.
- So, like--
- What?
- Haven't heard from you for like--
- I know! [laughter]
- I think we need to update him on what we've been up to,
maybe a little bit more. - Yeah, yeah.
So I'm not kidnapped. - Good.
[laughter] Let's get that out of the way.
- Um, so we got to go to Spain.
[laughs] - Oh, wow.
- And that's where we had our first one-on-one.
And then after that, we went to Canada.
- Mm-hmm. - And that was my first, like,
group date back after a one-on-one.
And it was, like, pretty hectic just being, like,
oh, there's other girls here.
[laughter]
- I haven't seen Kelsey for six weeks.
And it's been very hard not to see her,
not to communicate with her.
This is a scary process.
And with something like this, I think it's very difficult
not to have her mother here.
She was a very protective mother,
and it would never be a shortage
of questions with her here.
Is this is your first time to Louisiana?
- This is the second time I've been here.
But it was special today because we got to kind of
do it in our own way.
- Throughout, like, today, every time
I would talk about Mom, I kept seeing
butterflies flying around.
And I was like, she's here.
And I was like, and she's trying to get
on camera, y'all. [laughter]
- Mom ain't missing this moment.
- But guess what. - What?
[gasps]
Ah! There's Mom!
- Yeah.
We have, like, a ton of pictures.
- That's my mom. - That's amazing.
- My mom looks so cute.
- She's beautiful.
- Oh, my gosh.
Mom looks so pretty.
- I can't tell you how much I've wanted
to see a picture of her.
This is so special.
- God, you look so cute!
- Young stud.
- I don't know if I've even seen half these pictures.
- Right? - It's so fun.
Taylor would play tug-of-war with our dolls.
- Is that in her mouth right now?
- Yeah. - That's her mouth.
She put it in her mouth.
- Kelsey's the one who takes the most after Mom for sure.
She's just like, hey, I'm me, and, like,
I'm gonna be the sunshine person just like Mama was.
- I love this. - A little snapshot, right?
- This is so special. - Yeah.
- Thank you.
I love you. - I love you.
- Hey, Birdie, want to have a little chitchat?
- Yeah, let's do it. - OK.
[laughter]
Kelsey deserves the best of the best,
somebody as special to them as my parents
had with each other.
And I'm afraid for her if she gets her heart broken.
Like, I just want her to be happy.
- How are you?
I miss you. - I miss you too.
- It's so weird, like, you know,
not being able to call and, like,
vent or just need, like, reassurance.
Like, I kept pinching myself today just being like,
oh, my gosh.
Like, oh, he's in New Orleans.
Like, oh, he wants to meet my family.
I want him to meet my family.
Like, all these crazy emotions,
and like, I've been, like, kind of, like,
holding back a little bit,
'cause I want to see the dynamic
with, like, family and everything.
And so far, it's been like--
I don't know, y'all.
I don't know.
It just seems like it's gonna go well.
- I think that we all know, like, if you're
bringing a guy to us, like, he's going to be a great guy.
But have there been many, like, complications or, like--
I don't know-- something to like--
argument to, like, work through together?
- Not really.
I think the only thing with, like--
I don't really know where he's at with the other girls.
I know where we're at.
And you know, maybe he's further along with other girls.
And so I think that
that's what I'm, like, kind of scared about.
- Yeah.
I'm also afraid for, like,
you know, if you get to this point
and, like, the moment happens that you do get sent home,
like, I don't want you to have your little heart broken.
- Yeah, I think--I love that.
I appreciate that.
But I think that I've really tried to, like,
give this my all.
So at the end of the day, if it's not me,
like, at least, like, I know I really tried.
And I put myself out there.
- I do feel really protective over you.
And I want you to have nothing but the happiest
of times, like, forever.
Like, no bad times, only happy times, that's it.
That's all.
- I love you too.
- Joey, can we have a quick talk?
Kelsey's got a heart of gold.
- A nice little setup.
- Tonight I'm looking to see
if Joey cares for Kelsey like I care for Kelsey.
Is he a protector?
Is he someone that would, you know, keep her happy?
When I talked to Kelsey before she left to do "The Bachelor,"
I wasn't sure about it, right?
Um, my biggest fear was that as she's developing feelings
for you, it would have been a difficult thing
to see you going on a date with someone else.
- Yeah.
For me, it's-- it's a weird feeling
when there are multiple people.
And I'm always trying to pay attention and check in.
And I can tell you, you would be so proud of her,
how she's been through this.
So I just feel special and lucky
to have gotten to meet her.
And I know that it wouldn't have happened
unless I've done something like this,
which is why I'm so grateful.
- Yeah.
When I met Kelsey's mom,
it was like I knew it right away.
- Mm.
- In a normal dating situation,
ideally, you would date one person at a time.
How do you know when you actually find the right one?
- Yeah, it's difficult for me.
I have a lot of days where I've struggled
because there are feelings that are truthfully real.
And you find yourself holding back from time to time.
Because I want every word I speak,
every moment, everything I say to have a lot of intention,
but the reason I'm holding back is because
I am trying to be aware of her heart.
And all I can tell you is that my feelings for her are real,
and they do make sense.
And I'm extremely hopeful.
I really am. - Yeah.
Well, that's very comforting.
You know, helps my heart.
So after talking with Joey, I felt--
I felt reassured.
But as a father,
I'm, of course, concerned with Kelsey.
I think a man deserving of Kelsey is one that she picks.
So I'm looking forward to talking with her.
♪ ♪
How you doing?
- I'm good. - Yeah?
Well, I mean, but with, like, everything.
- I think that I've definitely had, like,
my ups and downs of, like, throughout this whole process.
But then I had my one-on-one in Spain.
And we were strolling around Spain, and it was like--
just felt like me and my boyfriend
were exploring the city.
- Oh, nice.
- Um, and I told him about Mom
and how you took care of Mom through, like, you know--
[crying] Like, how sick she got
and everything that you did for her.
And you were, like, such a good husband to her.
And, like, I feel like that's what I really look for
is, like, you know, someone that would be there
through, like, the hard times
and, like, you know, the good times.
And then, like, knowing that--
knowing that after, like, you saw, like,
the love of your life, like, pass away
and knowing that you had to take care of all of us
and, like, be there for all of us, like, I can't imagine.
You know, I want somebody like that for me.
And Mom and you always, like, told us, like,
that's what we deserve and not to settle
for someone that, you know, doesn't give us, you know,
everything that we deserve.
And I feel like Joey really does that.
And I could see him doing, like, those things for sure.
- To see the way that he is towards you, right, like,
it's very reassuring.
Um, I want all of you to feel
that--that feeling I had with your mom.
♪ ♪
Because it's, like, the best thing in the world.
- It's crazy. Oh, my God.
I'm gonna cry. [laughter]
But, like, I don't know.
Already, I just like--
I just--I think I love him.
Um, but, no, he's great.
- I love you.
♪ ♪
- I love you. - I love you.
There's always a possibility of heartbreak.
You just never know when it's gonna come.
I think Kelsey is ready for the happiness.
Kelsey is ready for enjoying life.
Um...
and with that, she has to be ready to, you know,
suffer through heartbreak if that's what happens.
- Thank you.
- I really appreciate it. We'll be seeing you.
- Hope to see you soon.
- I feel very, very happy.
And it was wonderful to see Kelsey,
to see Joey and the connection that they have.
I understand there's still the other women.
But I think Joey will take care of Kelsey.
And I do hope she--
I do hope she's engaged when she comes home.
- That was special.
They were so loving.
They were so open and honest.
And I'm really, really happy.
- Yeah, I agree.
I am so sure about who you are.
But, like, knowing that other people
see that and, like, see our connection,
especially my family.
And, like, you know, they mean so much to me.
So for them to just kind of validate my feelings,
I think that, like, that's everything I needed and more.
But, yeah, I think, like,
things just feel so right with you.
- It was a great day. - It was a great day.
[soft music]
♪ ♪
- I just really am happy with how today went
and especially how tonight went.
I would count myself lucky to be a part of this family.
I really, really feel good where Kelsey and I are at.
And I know that we left today stronger
than we were going into it.
- Oh, lord.
I don't want to say bye.
I am feeling fantastic.
That reassurance from my family was very pivotal for me.
♪ ♪
Having my mom there would have been amazing.
But throughout this whole date,
I felt my mom's presence.
- See you soon. - All righty.
She wouldn't miss this for the world.
And, like, think that she would have loved Joey.
Especially after just him meeting my family, like,
I just want to blurt that I love him.
♪ ♪
I'm ready for whatever may come.
And I'm ready to fight for him.
And I hope that he feels the same way.
- Are you ready to open your heart to someone?
Apply to be on the next season of "The Bachelorette."
Go to abc.com/casting now.
[upbeat music]
♪ ♪
[quacking]
- Today we are in Rancho Cucamonga, California,
for Rachel's Hometown.
- Hello.
- Hi.
I enjoy doing anything with Rachel,
and we always have a fun time,
and I love just how we--we sync and vibe with one another.
It's easy.
I missed you. - Hi.
- I am really excited to meet Rachel's family
because of the whole Hawaii connection.
It's a special place for me too.
I've spent a lot of time there.
It's--it's a part of me.
And she's from there. She grew up there.
She was born there.
- Welcome to Rancho Cucamonga,
my semi-home. - Mm-hmm.
- My big thing is, like, home is wherever family is.
- Mm-hmm.
- So we didn't get to go to Hawaii,
but my family flew out to bring it to us.
- I'm very excited.
It seems like there's always something
to look forward to with Rachel.
There's always so much more to uncover.
I think seeing her family, she should be
the most comfortable she's been yet.
I'm excited, and I'm hopeful.
- I'm really nervous. I don't know if you can tell.
- Why are you nervous? What's up?
- You know my family's very, very important to me.
Just, like, today will be a lot of the Filipino culture
and the Hawaiian culture because it's just
a huge part of who I am. - Yeah.
- When you meet my mom, it's a Filipino thing,
and it's called the mano po. - Mm-hmm.
- And so you, like, grab her hand, and you go like this.
- OK. - It's like a sign of respect.
- So I have to do this first.
- Yeah, it's like a sign of respect to her.
- OK.
- You'll meet my dad, Hakim. - Mm-hmm.
- You can say, Mr. Nance.
- Mr. Nance it is.
- Until you can say Uncle. - OK.
- I want to make sure that I'm representing them well
and that they're proud of, like, you and I
and, like, us being together.
And like, this isn't just a normal way of dating.
I have very strong feelings for Joey.
I do see a future with him.
I do see myself falling in love with him.
I haven't said the L word to him yet
because a huge part of being in a relationship
is I need to see how you interact with my family.
The last guy I brought home got really close to my parents.
We were almost engaged.
So it's, like, a big deal.
I've been through true, true heartbreak.
That breakup, my dad and my mom took it really hard.
So through all of this, I think their main concern
is making sure that I'm not, you know, just hurt again.
This is my auntie's home. - Mm-hmm.
- This whole journey is nontraditional.
So I know my family.
They definitely won't be huge fans of it, I don't think.
But we'll see.
[laughs] It's fine.
Just a little bit nervous. - It's OK.
- OK, I just want it to go really well.
- I do too.
- OK. - You got this.
- You're gonna help me out. - We got this.
- OK.
♪ ♪
[relaxed music]
- Go, Liam. - Go, Liam.
Go, Liam.
Hey, hey, hey.
[laughter]
[cheering]
Hi, guys.
Oh, my gosh.
Hi, baby. Aw.
I love you. This is Uncle Joey.
- Hi. - Can I get a high-five?
- High-five? - Yeah.
How we doing?
- Hey, baby girl.
- Thank you. No, it's good. It's good.
This is Joey.
- So nice to meet you. So nice to meet you.
How we doing? - All right.
- Rachel's family is so important to her.
I see how much she loves her dad,
how much she has a relationship
with her mom and sister.
So I know that today has a lot of weight.
It can go any direction.
- Well, this is the man. This is Joey.
[laughter] - Hi.
So nice to meet you.
- Aw.
[cheering]
I learned.
- My gosh!
- So nice to meet you.
- Oh, my gosh.
- These are for you.
- Meeting Joey, he's such a good sport
with doing the amin with me.
And I loved how he just really honored
and respected my husband and me.
- This is everyone. - This is--
- Exciting.
- Part of the Angeles ohana.
- Welcome, welcome. - So excited to be here.
- Oh, my gosh.
Family means a lot to us.
So I really admired that about him.
A full pig represents honor for the celebrant.
So this is really a special occasion,
just welcoming you to the family.
- This is amazing.
Thank you so much.
- OK, maybe you can help me then.
- Yeah, I can try. I'll do my best.
- Enjoying yourself?
- Yeah, no, he's great,
but I just missed you guys a lot.
- Yeah. - Oh, yeah.
- In the Filipino culture, if the suitor
is interested in the woman, he has to eat the ear.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, well--
- All right.
- Because our family is multicultural,
I love how he was just so open to trying the pig's ear.
And he was very respectful.
- Want to have some of this sauce.
Eating the pig tasted really good.
I just love the idea of family
coming together, having traditions.
And that gets me excited
because it makes me want to be a part of it.
all: Rachel, Rachel!
- Oh, my God! - Oh!
- He's gonna help you again though.
Watch. Watch. There it is. Yeah!
- There we go.
- I love seeing, you know, Joey and my sister.
He's a gentleman.
He's always just checking if she needs anything.
He gets along with my son, my sister's nephew.
- Let's see it. Let's see it. - OK, toss it, bud.
- Oh, he's going for the distance.
Yup.
[cheering]
- It's time for-- - OK.
- Oh, what's this?
- Oh, the--OK. OK.
- I don't even know what this is.
- OK. OK. OK. - I'm ready, though.
- This tradition is a popular dance
that we inherited from Spain
when they colonized the Philippines.
- I haven't done it in so long.
Why so fast?
- A bit slower!
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
- My family has the aloha spirit
of just welcomeness and love.
- Oh, we're doing this together.
So we're going in.
- I know my family's super excited
to just show Joey where I come from.
And today is going well thus far.
- Ooh!
- Yeah!
- Oh, my gosh!
- Yes.
- Oh.
You're not supposed to look, actually.
- So you look up?
[people singing]
- Oh, no!
- Whoa!
- I trust my family's opinion.
You know, sometimes they know me a little bit
more than I know myself.
I want them to give that blessing
for he and I to be together.
'Cause at the end of the day, if it's he and I,
that means my family's there, and he's a part of the family.
- So, my baby girl...
- I know, not me doing something crazy again.
- No, it sounds-- you're enjoying yourself?
- I am.
I know this is the most nontraditional way of dating.
But it's been amazing, Daddy.
I'm loving every second of it.
I just--it's hard because I'm away from you guys.
But it is very real.
And, hopefully--I don't know if you guys can tell
how much we like each other.
But we do like each other a lot.
He's very good at just, like, noticing
if something bothers me.
And he also slows me down,
which you and Mommy always try to do.
But you do know what happens at the end of this.
- I've never seen the show.
But we've been discussing things.
And I've been told he'll make that initial,
you know, I guess, proposal.
Sounds weird saying that.
But if it doesn't happen the way
you want it to happen, even keel.
- Mm-hmm.
- Don't get too high or get too low about something.
And definitely that stems from, you know,
you being hurt before.
And you can go on with life.
And you know you always have us.
- Mm-hmm.
I do see a future with him, surprisingly.
And I think that's why I'm also very emotional
because it's happening so fast.
But, you know, I feel very happy with him.
And I haven't been this happy in a while.
And I feel safe, which is a big thing,
especially, like, with my past. - Mm.
I'm--honey, like, words can't express how I feel about you.
You know how I feel about you and your sister.
And it's--nothing's gonna ever change that.
- You are the number one man in my life.
So your--your opinion means, like everything to me.
- Gosh, making me--
jeez.
- With that said, I love you. - Love you.
- My dad takes being my protector
and my sister's very seriously.
His main concern is me just
being respected and valued.
My parents, they have years of wisdom,
you know, more than me and Joey.
- Hey, Joey.
- How we doing?
- Uh, good.
Just kind of still trying
to take everything in.
- Of course.
- This is just so unusual for us.
Still kind of skeptical, Joey.
We don't know you. So you tell me.
What are your feelings about Rachel?
- I'm really happy to be here today.
I care for your daughter.
And I'm not taking this lightly.
I do see your daughter for who she is.
I don't take this for granted.
And I'm gonna do everything in my power to protect that.
- Yeah. It's just--
- I can feel your hesitancy, and I understand it.
I really do.
- Yeah.
I know that Rachel is...
[crying] Sorry. - It's OK.
- [laughs]
Um...
I wish you the best.
Obviously, I wish my daughter the best more,
because she's been hurt.
And she--you know, she's at a place where we told her,
you know, "Don't settle.
"And you have so much to offer.
So this is not who you are."
My concern for her is there are three other women involved.
- With Rachel's mom, it's a tough convo.
All she wants is for her daughter's heart
to not be hurt.
It just puts a lot of pressure on,
is it going to be Rachel?
And I still need time to figure that out.
It's a hard part for me to be sitting here too,
because I obviously wish I could promise so much more.
- Yeah. - And she deserves the best.
But we've gotten to such a great spot
that I do have belief in it.
And as I said, I wouldn't be here today meeting you--
because I know how much it means to her
and how much it means to me too.
- Joey seems like such a nice, genuine young man.
But I'm just gonna be honest.
There's three other possible ladies.
So my--I haven't given my--
the verdict is still out.
[light percussive music]
♪ ♪
- 1, 2, 3, 4. - 2, 3.
- Whoa!
- Looks really good. - Can we switch pieces?
'Cause this is fatty. - Yeah. Whatever you need.
- I like the fatty-- I like the fatty piece.
- Give me the good one.
- No, I mean they're both good.
- I get it. I get it.
- Joey respecting my traditions
and meeting my family started off strong.
I had no concerns that he would fit in
because he's just-- he's so open-minded
and such a sweet guy.
But I'm worried that my parents could not
be on board with what Joey and I are doing.
Because this whole idea of dating a man with other women
is nontraditional.
You're going HAM, huh?
- I'm really hungry.
- I need that validation from my parents
that they see it too.
So I'm so nervous.
I just want today to go well.
I missed you. - You good?
- Yeah, I just missed you.
- I know.
- I'm not confused on how I feel.
I really do like him.
But it's just-- again, I have to see
the interaction and how he, you know,
respects you and Daddy and wondering--
- He seems--he seems very--
- The mano po?
- Yeah. - [laughs]
- That was very good, honey. - That was good.
- Seems like a nice guy, but, yeah, I'm still cautious.
And that's--that's what good parents would be, right?
- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. - But here's the deal.
It's not Joey choosing you. - Mm-hmm.
- You need to make sure. - Mm-hmm.
- Do you know what I'm saying? - Yeah.
- Just guard your heart, sweetheart.
- Yeah. - And--and--
[crying]
You're such an amazing young lady.
And I don't want you--
I don't want your heart to be broken.
- My mom's really seen me go through it.
And I know what I'm hoping to say at the end of today
to Joey, that I'm falling in love with him.
But you know, after talking with my mom and my dad as well,
they're both kind of telling me, just be--protect myself.
- I don't want to see my daughter hurt ever again.
You know, there's three other girls involved.
I want my daughter to be happy and taken care of.
My expectation is someone who's gonna take care of her,
nurture her, love her, support her.
And when I say support, it doesn't mean just financial.
- I don't take that lightly.
I agree with you fully that I think the biggest test
is what happens outside of this.
- Yes. - And I know it will take time
to earn your trust, for us to have
more conversations, for it to build
to where it should be.
I'm nervous talking with Rachel's family
because I see that her mom and her dad
may not fully believe in this and are trying to make sure
that she protects herself.
It's just if we're gonna keep moving forward
in this relationship, I need to make sure
that they do see me being someone
that's suitable for their daughter.
I know you're a very traditional guy,
and this is a nontraditional setting.
- Yeah. - But in this position,
it would feel wrong to possibly get down on one knee
without at least asking for your blessing.
- In so many areas in life, I am not traditional.
But when it comes to things involving
my daughter and relationships and those sorts of things,
I am very traditional. - Mm-hmm.
- So to say yes, if that time comes,
she has my number. - Yeah. Yeah.
- And you can call me man to man.
- I know I wouldn't be able to get to that point
without knowing where your views
and your wife's views are.
I'm leaving this conversation with Rachel's dad
feeling like it wasn't a no.
It just wasn't a yes.
So I need to know what Rachel's thinking
about her parents' skepticism,
because I know how much they have a special bond.
- Mom and Daddy both shared that they're scared
of me getting hurt again.
- Yeah. You know, it's--
it's not gonna be cut and dry.
But I think, you know, if you feel like your heart's in it,
if his heart's in it, and you genuinely feel it,
give it a chance and see where it goes.
Don't sell yourself short.
- I'm taking all of your guys' opinions.
You know, Mom and Daddy are being realistic.
Guard your heart. Protect yourself.
But at the same time, I'm kind of thinking
I'm protecting myself.
But also it could be amazing if I try.
- Rach, she has a caring heart.
And she might come across very closed off
because of her past.
But I got excited for her because I feel like
she just deserves someone good.
And--oh, my gosh--
[sobs] She's--
she's been through a lot.
So I'm just happy for her.
I love you so much. [sobs]
I just can't wait for you to enjoy
the rest of the experience.
Go all out.
Follow your heart.
And just think of me, Lee, and the family,
that you have your biggest support system.
- Thanks. Love you. - Love you.
- I've learned from being here that I can be cautious.
But I can also allow myself to feel
what I'm feeling in the moment.
And I love that my sister told me, just say
how you're feeling and just go all in.
My family has truly been the rock for me.
Bye! - Nice to meet you.
OK, guys. - Love you guys.
- Aloha. - Aloha.
- I hope Joey was able to see how close we are.
It's just a lot of emotions now hitting me.
- Hi. - Hi.
- Giggles.
How are you doing?
Talk through it.
I'm right here.
[soft music]
- I hate crying in front of you.
- Why?
- [laughs] I don't know.
It's not, like, bad tears. These are--
- I know. - OK, OK.
I don't cry like this. - That's OK.
- OK, OK.
Just letting you know, this isn't our future.
I really don't cry like this, OK?
Unless, like, a dog dies or something.
- Yeah. Yeah. [laughs]
- OK.
After talking to my parents, I was kind of like,
OK, I don't know where--
like, it wasn't confusing.
But I was just like, OK, what do I--
- Where do we go? - Yeah, where do I go?
Like, how do I feel?
They're very skeptical of this whole thing.
And they were saying to just, you know,
protect my heart.
And don't rush into any feelings and all these things.
And I talked to my sister.
And she was kind of like, "Yes, but I also trust you,
and you know what you want."
And so I know I told you before
that I was, like, falling for you, um,
but I'm definitely falling in love with you.
And I see a future with you.
I--of course I want it to be us at the end.
Um, but I am choosing you,
'cause I know at the end of the day,
we have to pick each other.
And I do choose you.
And that's why I told you that, what I'm feeling.
- It's so good to hear too.
I'm so happy where we're at.
It's so great to hear that.
To see today, to see how you were,
to see how you've gotten to this point
after how today has started,
it makes me so hopeful and so excited.
And your family is amazing.
And I get why you're amazing.
[romantic music]
With Rachel, it's amazing to hear her
not just falling, but falling in love with me.
I've been waiting for this for weeks,
and it feels so good for it to be out there and feel real.
- Bye.
♪ ♪
- Thank you for today.
- No, thank you.
It was everything I needed.
- Mm-hmm.
♪ ♪
All right.
- See you soon. - Good night.
Today's been more than amazing.
And I definitely got the confidence
that I was wanting.
I'm truly falling for him.
I know there is a Rose Ceremony coming up,
and I know Joey has, again, another hard decision to make.
But I'm gonna ride on this high like I always say.
I'm feeling pretty confident.
♪ ♪
[upbeat music]
♪ ♪
- Today, I'm in Becker, Minnesota.
I'm gonna be meeting Daisy's family.
Daisy was my first one-on-one,
and that first one-on-one was magical.
I see myself falling in love with Daisy.
I see the fact that I could get down on one knee
and get engaged to her.
But Daisy told me she won't be able to express
falling in love until she sees how I am with her family.
If she can't see the person she's with fit into that,
that's a deal-breaker.
Hello.
- Hi.
- So this is a huge day.
And it's holding a lot of weight
because I know how much it means to Daisy.
- [giggling]
Joey's been in charge this whole time.
But today it's my turn, and I have the reins.
I have total control. [laughs]
I just can't wait to show him around.
Are you excited?
- I'm very excited. How are you feeling?
- Good. I'm so excited.
- Good. - I'm so happy.
This is the exact place I grew up.
- Mm-hmm.
- This is my family's old Christmas tree farm.
- It's beautiful.
- So I have a lot of really good memories here.
Are you ready to go explore the farm?
- Let's do it.
- OK, come on.
The Christmas tree farm is so special
because I grew up here.
Like, all my favorite childhood memories are here.
Christmastime was a whole family ordeal.
Later, he's gonna meet my family.
So it could honestly be
the most important date of my life.
It was the best spot to grow up in 'cause it was so much fun.
- It's beautiful here. - Mm-hmm.
It was, honestly, a childhood paradise.
- Right.
- I just feel at peace when I'm here.
- You seem like you are.
- Yeah.
My feelings for Joey are very strong.
And they just keep growing and growing.
And every time I'm around him, I'm just happy and excited.
And I just want to see him more and kiss him more.
It is special to be here.
This place means so much to me because it's
just a spot that's filled with love and Christmas.
[whimsical music]
[bleating]
♪ ♪
So this is the Christmas tree farm.
[laughs]
- Cookies!
- Cookies, lots of activities.
- Santa's here.
- Oh, my goodness.
- OK, so this is a wishing tree.
- "I wish..."
both: "For Daisy to find love."
- Should we make one? - Yeah.
- OK.
I wish for our relationship...
- To grow and blossom into something beautiful.
How about that? - Yes. That's good.
I haven't told Joey how I feel yet
because I need to see him with my family first.
OK.
- Boom. - All right.
- Seeing how he interacts with them
and just kind of seeing,
like, if it's somebody
that they think I could spend forever with.
What are you guys all doing?
- Hello.
- We're making ornaments.
- Oh, my gosh, cute.
- Beautiful.
- I have a question.
Do you think he's naughty or nice?
- Uh-oh. - Uh-oh.
- I didn't like that smirk.
- What do you think?
- Nice.
I think he said nice.
- I did not say that.
[laughter]
- Today has brought me back
to, like, my whole childhood growing up.
And this was one of the best parts of my life.
- Thank you so much. - You're welcome.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
- Just him seeing this part of me
and what made me into who I am, like, it's really special.
- One little bite.
Yeah?
I did it.
- [laughs] Wait.
Let me try. Let me try.
- He did bite me a little bit.
- [screams]
[laughter]
When I'm with Joey, I can completely
picture myself being with him for the rest of my life.
And I just feel all, like, giddy all the time.
I don't think this day could get any better.
- Uh-oh, you got people behind you.
- [shrieks]
[laughing]
Oh, my God!
- Hi, how you doing?
♪ ♪
- OK. This is Joey. - Hi, everyone.
- Hi.
- Hi, Joey. - It's nice to meet you.
- Seeing all my friends makes me so emotional,
because, like, when I was a child,
it makes me feel that happiness, like, brought back.
And it's like, there was such a dark period in my life.
Like, it's just made me realize, like,
how far I've come.
- OK, first of all, are you happy?
- I'm really happy.
OK, I need to tell you guys, um,
I feel like I've talked to all of you about it,
how I was, like--
with, like, all my past stuff, and then with getting
my cochlear implant, I was always, like,
what, like, person, like, would want to be with me
because of this, because, like, it makes me,
like, a little different, you know?
And it was kind of always just in the back of my head.
But like, this whole experience has honestly
changed my perspective and my outlook on life.
And that's, like, completely because of him and how he's,
like, looked at me and treated me.
And even if it's not us, like, at the end, which I hope it is,
like, I'm gonna, like, have that forever.
And like, I know, like, what I deserve.
And I'm just--[gasping]
[laughing] I'm really happy.
[laughter]
I can't believe you guys--
- She's so excited to have-- everyone being here right now.
[laughter]
- It means so much to see your smile.
all: Yeah.
- So happy. - Your smile!
- Like, it looks so good on you.
- Yeah. - You guys will have
a great time with your parents.
- Oh, yeah, you guys will have a--
- Can't wait.
What's most important is
to get to see how happy Daisy is.
They see this smile that she has.
She's so happy.
And I know it's because she's with her friends
but also because of what she sees in us.
- It's been good.
Like, I've realized I'm really good
at, like, expressing my emotions to, like,
you guys and, like, my family.
But I realized maybe in relationships,
I might struggle.
- She does it in her own way.
She does it with a smile.
She does it with a look.
But words are still tough for her.
We're working through that.
So we're working through it. - But he's--
When I'm with Joey, I'm not confused at all.
I know he's who I want to be with.
But I really need my parents to see that too.
And also just getting their input
and what they think about him too.
So all of it.
All my friends coming, I just, like, love them so much.
I'm so happy they got to, like, meet you.
- What you shared meant so much to me about just how you feel,
how you've been feeling through all this,
and the questions that you did have.
And I really hope that you don't question that anymore.
- Yeah. - Because you deserve
everything and more. - Thank you.
You've literally changed my perspective in my life on me.
And I want you to know that.
You've helped me, like, see myself completely
different in, like, a better light.
And I'm just--I'm really thankful for you.
- I'm thankful for you.
[romantic music]
- So you excited?
- I'm really excited for tonight.
- Yeah? - I am.
- I honestly don't know how they're gonna
react to, like, the whole situation.
- Let me just tell you that I'm not
afraid of those conversations.
All I'm gonna be is honest and truthful.
- Yeah. - And I see so much in us
that I'm not worried to tell them what can be.
- Mm-hmm. - I know we feel it.
I know there's something here.
I think it'll also help probably to understand a lot,
too, when you talk to them. - Yeah.
- And that's what I'm hoping for,
for you is that when you talk to them,
you'll be able to really understand
where you're at, good or bad.
- Yeah, I'm hoping for that too.
♪ ♪
Today has been amazing.
But tonight with my family, I just need them
to reassure me and, like, give me validation on it.
OK, well, are you ready to meet my family?
- So ready.
- OK, let's go do it.
- Let's do it.
- With everything I went through with my health,
my family were the people that loved me
unconditionally and, like, really picked me up
when I was broken.
And they know me better than anyone else.
- Whoo!
- Yeah!
So I need my family's stamp of approval on Joey.
♪ ♪
[speaking indistinctly]
If my family doesn't see it with me and Joey
and us working out and, like, being together,
it would be really, really hard for me to, like,
move forward, honestly.
[soft music]
♪ ♪
- You ready?
- I'm ready.
I'm excited.
"Are they ready?" is the question.
- Who are you most--[laughs]
Spending time with Joey on my family Christmas tree farm
was amazing,
but going in to meet my family,
I'm a little bit nervous.
OK, are you ready? - Let's do it.
- Should we do it? - Yeah, let's go.
- OK.
I really need my family to help me sort through
and figure out exactly what I'm feeling,
'cause to be honest, I'm a little bit confused.
I know I have this wall
or hurdle that I need to, like, get through.
And I hope my parents will help me do that.
Hello!
- Yes!
[cheering]
[laughter] - Nice to meet you.
- This is Joey.
- Hi.
So nice to meet you.
How we doing?
These are for you.
- Today Joey's gonna meet my mom, Julie...
- How we doing?
- My dad, Brandon...
both: So nice to meet you.
- My older sister, Josephine,
my younger brother, Harrison...
- Hi, Joey. I'm Ted. - Nice to meet you, Ted.
- I'm her grandpa.
- My Grandpa Ted...
- How are you?
- And my Grandma Gloria.
- Should we all take a seat?
- Yes.
- Seeing Joey with my family will dictate
if I can move forward in this process,
because they're the most special people
in the world to me,
and it just has to feel right.
So this could change everything for me
in a great way or a horrible way.
So our first date--
I got the first one-on-one date.
- Mm-hmm. - Nice. Good choice.
- Yeah, I thought it was a good choice too.
I'm glad you guys appreciate that.
- But he didn't know that I'm basically deaf.
- Yeah? - And then I told him
about, like, all of it and, like,
all my health stuff.
- She was able to share everything that happened.
And I think it was-- it was big for us.
And I just wanted to learn more about you
and how you've handled everything
and had such a positive light about it all.
- She's the real deal, Joey.
- It's crazy. I know. - I can tell you.
- So I knew right from the beginning,
I was in trouble when we had that date.
But--
- No, you're not in trouble.
You're blessed.
- Truthfully. Truthfully.
- It's crazy because I, like, told him,
like, if it was, like, a year ago or anything, like,
I wouldn't have been able to do this.
- Mm-hmm. - Mm-hmm.
- Wait, how's college?
- Oh, it's awesome.
- Are you having fun?
- Yeah, it's so cool.
It's different, but it's a lot of fun.
- [laughs] [crying] And...
Harrison--Harrison's voice sounds like Harrison.
- Oh, yay! [laughter]
- Daisy told me there's still moments with her hearing
that it doesn't sound necessarily right.
- So it's just like, it's getting, like,
better and better.
- Her brother's voice-- she never really fully heard it
the same way until now.
- Joey, you want to go talk? - I would love to.
- Let's go.
- So coming in today and hearing her brother speak,
that was the first time she felt like it sounded
like her brother's voice, which is, like,
a really, really special moment.
- So the hardest thing for me
is that I do see that connection.
- Mm-hmm. - Like, I really do.
But there's also three other girls.
- Mm-hmm.
- So have you guys said I love you to each other?
- We have not yet.
Daisy has told me that there are real feelings.
And I feel the same way.
There's zero doubt that there's something
special here that's growing. - Yeah.
- But she's told me that she is not
able to express any feeling of falling in love
until I was at the point that we are today.
Because how special all of you are,
she wants to see how I would interact
with their family, how she would feel once I meet them.
I think with everything that she's been through,
that's something that is so important to her.
And I think it's held her-- hold back a little bit.
- Yeah.
- So, yeah, I am very hopeful with where it can go.
It is scary, though. - Mm-hmm.
I feel like Joey truly does love her.
- Thank you.
- But it just seems like she is not
being vulnerable to the full extent.
So she'll have to get there if they end
up going any further, I believe.
So tell me.
- Yeah.
- What do you think of him?
- I like him a lot.
You talked to him?
- I did talk to him.
And he feels like you're just a little
nervous to let loose and let go of your emotions
and your feelings.
- Yeah, I feel like that's true.
But I don't know why I'm doing that.
'Cause I feel like I'm always so, like, expressive.
- Right.
So that's why it shocks me.
- He's awesome, though.
- He seems like he's so sweet and just a really nice guy.
- Yeah.
- And, I mean, I definitely see you guys
really care for each other. - Mm-hmm.
- Like, I can see it, feel it.
- Yeah.
♪ ♪
[sniffles]
- What?
- I thought that I would never feel this way
towards anyone again.
And now I'm, like, feeling this way towards him.
- Yeah.
And you're afraid to get hurt.
- Also, maybe it's 'cause, like, I went through so much.
And like, I think about every day I wake up
feeling healthy, that's something to be happy about,
you know, and so I'm like,
oh, if, like, this boy doesn't like me
and doesn't want me, then whatever.
You know what I mean? - Right.
Then there's somebody else for you.
- I'm just worried, like, I'm not gonna be able
to, like, express it and, like, show it.
And then I'm gonna lose him
because I'm not able to do that.
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
- So I don't know what to do.
- I just, number one, want you to be happy.
- Yeah.
- And somebody that treats you just like Dad treats me.
- Mm-hmm.
- I'm always his number one.
- Mm-hmm.
- I want Daisy to express to Joey how she's feeling.
And I would like her to put the walls down
and be vulnerable,
because if Joey's the guy for her,
it will work out.
But she has to be vulnerable to make it work.
- I can see myself being with him forever.
And I can see a future with us.
But then he thinks I'm not fully expressing myself
because I'm--like, I'm not.
But I, like, can't help it. - Right.
- And I'm getting, like, really confused and frustrated
with myself about it.
- So you're putting up the wall because
you're afraid of getting hurt.
- Yeah.
[soft music]
- I totally get that,
and I'd probably do the same thing.
I think it's totally normal.
- Yeah.
- You know, no one likes to get hurt.
And you're really--you're putting yourself out there.
- Yeah.
- But if you really want it to work,
you're gonna have to see if you can get past that.
- Mm-hmm.
- If you think that you're falling in love with him,
I think it's a no-brainer.
- [whispering] I think I am.
- OK, so then shoot the shot.
And if you nail it, then...
Right? - Yeah.
- Then it's all the marbles. - Uh-huh.
- Right?
It's not like you're gonna...
lose your hearing over it.
[laughter]
- It's not like I'm going deaf again.
[laughter]
- Right?
It's only love.
- Yeah.
- So you're gonna have to decide
if it's worth taking the risk.
- I missed you.
- I missed you too.
♪ ♪
- Oh, my gosh, my dad's awesome.
He just brings me back to it's all about the love
and putting it all out there,
and everything that you're feeling is OK.
- You have a good rest of this...
adventure. - I will.
I appreciate it. Thank you so much.
- I needed today more than I even knew that I needed it.
Seeing my family and seeing Joey interact with them,
I was like, whoa, this could be it.
As crazy as that is, it's also really exciting.
- See ya. - See you guys.
- Bye. - Love you.
- Love you too. - Whoo!
- Bye. - [laughs]
♪ ♪
I guess I was just afraid of getting hurt.
But I'm just gonna try to focus on feeling
everything that I feel,
because I'd rather feel it all than not.
Well?
- How you feeling?
- I feel good.
How do you feel?
- I feel great.
- Did you have fun?
- I had a really good time.
They're amazing. - Yeah.
It was really good for me to talk to all of them.
- Good. - And I think it just, like,
helped me kind of clear my mind.
'Cause I know there's been kind of a wall for me.
- Mm-hmm.
- But I'd rather, like, dive right into it.
And I--I want you to know I am falling in love with you,
and I've been falling in love with you.
And I mean that from, like--
with my whole heart.
And I'm so excited to see where this is going.
And you make me so happy and feel so special.
And my whole family can see that.
And regardless of what happens, I'm--
I'm just gonna, like, go for it wholeheartedly,
because I think there's something amazing here,
and I want to see what it could be.
- I feel the same way.
- Good.
[sweeping music]
♪ ♪
- To hear Daisy express that she's falling in love with me
just makes me so happy.
I felt it.
I was hopeful of it.
It just feels so good to finally hear it
and to feel her let go.
It was a great day.
- Yeah, it was.
♪ ♪
- I leave tonight feeling very confident,
feeling like we took a big step,
and feeling like we're going to keep moving forward.
I'll see you soon.
- Yeah.
♪ ♪
- I can see Daisy being my wife, which is exciting.
- Travel safe.
- Thank you.
- Don't miss me too much.
- I will.
♪ ♪
- I'm falling in love.
[laughs]
Ah!
♪ ♪
Today was one of my favorite days of my life, honestly.
♪ ♪
It feels really good that my family
might have met my fiancé tonight.
♪ ♪
- Ready to spend your golden years
with someone special?
Sign up to be on the first season
of "The Golden Bachelorette."
Go to abc.com/casting now.
[bright music]
♪ ♪
- I am in Niagara Falls, here to see Maria.
It's beautiful here.
You can tell right now
just this time of the year with the fall colors,
this is a good time to be here.
I'm excited to see Maria.
There's always a spark.
There's always a chemistry.
We have fun.
We laugh.
I am excited, but I'm also nervous.
The last time I was with her, she almost walked out.
It seems like with Maria,
as soon as I take one step forward,
sometimes we take two steps back.
So I'm hoping she's still falling.
I'm hoping she still can see this.
I don't want to leave here with doubt.
Hello.
- Hello. - How we doing?
- Oh, hi. - So good to see you.
Mm.
- I'm so happy to see you.
- How you been? - Good.
How are you?
- Good.
It's beautiful here.
- Welcome to Niagara.
I'm so excited to see Joey.
He makes me feel beautiful.
He makes me feel wanted.
Every time I get with him, my feelings grow more.
That's why I crave the time that we have together.
We're gonna go on the Maid of the Mist.
- Mm-hmm. - I've never done it before,
but it's always something that I want to do.
- OK. - And I want to experience it
for the first time with you.
- All right, let's do it.
- My biggest fear is I could fall for Joey
and then get my heart broken.
So last week in Jasper, my instinct was
to quit while I was ahead because I was scared.
But the truth is, is that I don't want to run from this.
I want to be all in, and I want to prove that to Joey.
[boat horn blares]
- Oh, we're already moving.
- So happy to do this with you for the first time.
[laughs]
You look good.
- You look great.
- Take us to the frickin' falls.
Let's go.
- That's what we're going into?
- Yeah, isn't it cool?
Isn't that "kewl"?
- Look at this.
It is very beautiful.
- We're gonna get wet, Joey.
- There's zero doubts about that.
All right, preparing.
- All right, before we get soaking wet...
- Mm-hmm. - Take a shot.
- Oh! OK.
- This is Canadian maple whiskey.
- Oh, baby. - Cheers.
I always have fun with Maria,
especially when it's just us.
- Tastes like Canada.
- I don't question if we're gonna
have a good time, if there's gonna be that spark.
It's always there with us.
- Yeah!
- But is that spark enough to take over the issues
that we've had?
- Are you excited to meet my family?
- I'm very excited.
Feel like it's the right time.
I want to make sure you're excited for me to meet them.
- Oh, I'm so excited.
- I hope you actually are.
- I am, obviously.
Are you happy?
- Mm-hmm. - Yeah?
♪ ♪
Bringing my family into it is just not
something I ever thought I would do
unless I know I'm 100% in.
And I think he should know that it's important,
because I don't do this with anyone.
- How are you feeling, truthfully?
'Cause last time we were together...
- Yes.
- You scared me a little bit.
- I know.
I think we should go talk.
Joey is the epitome of everything
I've ever wanted in a man.
Obviously, the way we kind of ended off
was kind of rocky waters.
So I think there are some things
that we need to talk about to kind of bring
clarity to our situation.
And I'm happy to show Joey that I'm here to stay.
- I will be completely honest with you.
Like, last week was really tough for me.
- Yeah.
- I didn't think it would ever get to the point
of you wanting to walk away.
I just didn't see that for us in the cards.
'Cause I thought you knew where we were at.
- I don't know.
I don't know what I was doing.
But I know I would have regretted it.
You're literally the epitome of, like,
what I've ever wanted in a man.
It was just hard to see you with anyone else.
- Mm-hmm.
- You've established things with not just me,
with, like, other women.
And then seeing that in front of my face, you know,
obviously, it got the best of me.
And I was scared.
If I didn't have fears about that,
then I don't think that that would be real.
- You having fears doesn't scare me.
- OK.
- It was the choice you were about to make...
- I know. - That scared me.
- Yeah.
- I want to have zero doubts walking into that house
that you want to be here with me.
And you can see a future at the end of this.
I just want to feel confident.
- I do.
I think that I was trying to take the easy way out
in that moment.
And I don't want you to think that
I'm ever gonna do that again.
- I want to believe what she's saying.
I guess I just feel like I should feel
a lot more confident than I do right now.
That's what I'm sitting with.
- It's not gonna end.
- Yeah.
- No, it just doesn't make sense to end.
And I want you to know I would not
be here if I didn't think I wanted
to bring you to my family.
- I know. - They mean everything to me.
Their perspective on things and their advice to me
about how to deal with all of this as well is, like,
gonna be so important to me.
So I'm so excited for today.
I truly am, and--
- When's the last time you brought someone home?
- Oh, my God.
I've--I've--
I've never brought anyone home.
- I'm blown away to find out that I'm
the first person that Maria's really ever brought home.
I'm realizing more and more how much Maria
has not shown this to anyone.
Part of me takes that as,
how special is that that it's me,
but also, I'm like, how has she gone this long in life
without, like, opening up to someone
and showing this side of herself?
- Like, with me, 'cause I am Daddy's little girl, like,
I'm not gonna just bring just anybody to my family.
He's the best father in the world.
He set the bar high for, you know, like, what I expect
in a man and what I deserve.
Um, so let's go meet them.
- OK. - OK.
- Tonight I think might be the most important
night in our relationship.
I'm scared. I'm nervous. I'm excited.
I know how close she is with her family.
I know how special they are to her.
- I can't wait to see her.
- What do you think's gonna happen when they walk in?
- I don't know.
- What are you gonna do if they're hand in hand?
- Oof.
- It's never happened before, right?
So-- - It's gonna be the best.
- We're gonna see what happens.
- She's never brought home a guy.
I've never seen Maria affectionate with a guy.
Oh, not that for sure, never.
- Yeah, no way.
Maria has always been the heartbreaker, I think.
- Yeah, yeah.
- Maria is 100% Daddy's girl.
If she gets hurt, it would be a problem for Joey.
Very soon, we're gonna meet them, see them together.
And then we'll know.
I'll know.
[bright music]
♪ ♪
- [laughing]
I feel like I am falling in love with Joey.
I know that I want to open up to him.
But I don't like being vulnerable.
If my family kind of give me that reassurance,
I'll have no worries in the world.
I just need that honest advice by the people
that I love and trust.
My family and friends want the best for me.
I can't deal with this.
Oh, my God.
I've never brought someone home.
So this is all very new to me.
♪ ♪
My dad's opinion is so important to me.
He wants nothing short of me being happy.
- How we doing?
So nice to meet you.
I was told this is one of your favorites.
This is for you here. - Hey, buddy.
No, this is one of my favorites.
- Yeah, I know that.
Tonight, I think, might be the most important
night in our relationship.
I know how much Maria's dad has love for Maria.
I really hope she gets that assurance to, like,
take a step further and let her guard down.
It scares me to kind of consistently wait for that.
- OK, so this is stuffed peppers.
But in Greek, we say "yemista." - I love stuffed peppers.
- This is the best meal.
- Your grandmother prepared it for you.
- My Yaya. OK.
Which one do you like? Do you like red peppers?
What do you want? - Give him one each.
- I'm gonna give you a red pepper because it's so good.
- Give him one of each. - You got to do two.
- My mom used to make me stuffed peppers all the time.
It was a big meal that we used to make in our house.
But this is--sorry, Mom-- this is better.
- Oh, yeah, right.
- It is. - Aw.
- So, Joey, you have the most important thing
in my life in your hands.
She's never brought anybody to me.
The last thing I want to see my kid is get hurt.
- I understand that.
- I'm so excited to hear about everything.
What was your first impression of him?
Like, when you walked out, like,
was it how we thought, like, he was the one for you?
Like, what did you feel when you first saw him?
- I was like, he is the most hand--he's hot.
Come on.
- He's very cute.
- Hey, watch yourself.
No.
[laughter]
But I obviously have felt things that I haven't
felt in a long time with him.
And, like, this man is someone I can
truly see myself falling for.
I'm being honest.
But obviously, I still have my insecurities because
there are other women here.
And--
- How do you feel about that truly?
Like, is that a worry for you?
- Sorry.
[crying]
Thank you.
I--I'm just, like--
I feel--I feel a lot for him.
And it's kind of like--
- You do?
- Yeah, but it sucks because--
he's, like, has three other women here.
And it's hard because, like, yeah,
I can pretend that he's all mine, but he's not.
- I'm scared he's not seeing the full you.
- I know. Me too.
- And, like, seeing you tonight,
I really do see a future with you two.
But I hope you fully put your heart into it.
Because if this is what you want,
that's the only way you're gonna get it.
- I love you. - I love you.
I think that Maria does push people away
when she's not sure of the outcome
because she doesn't want it to end up
where she gets hurt in the end.
But I think that this whole process is about
letting your guard down and giving yourself
the opportunity to fall in love.
So I hope that seeing us tonight
will help her get to that point.
♪ ♪
- So...
I know you have feelings for my daughter, right?
- Mm-hmm. - And I would hope so.
If you see what I see in Maria,
I understand why she's here. - Mm-hmm.
- You know, to me, she's everything.
She's the greatest thing in the world.
I don't know if she's mentioned to you about in the past
what the accident that she had--
- Mm-hmm. She has.
- And that was--for me, that was the worst day of my life.
- Mm-hmm.
- I almost lost her.
And since then, we've been inseparable.
- Mm-hmm. - To me, she's my angel.
She's my princess.
Now, I know there's three other girls in the mix.
And if you're telling me that "I'm falling for her,"
and you're telling the other three girls
you're falling for them,
to me, that doesn't mean anything.
You know?
And it's hard for me right now because
I don't know where you stand.
And I don't want to put you in a spot.
- Well, let me-- let me help a little bit.
Maria has expressed to me that she's falling for me.
And it was one of the more special moments
that we've had.
But I have not expressed anything back
because I don't know how you could say it
to four different people.
I don't understand how that could hold
the same amount of weight.
And I want all my words to have a lot of intention.
- I respect that.
- Do I feel it fully with Maria?
Yes. Do I think it can get there?
100%.
The only issues that we've had is
she holds back in some ways.
- Yeah. - And does that scare me? Yes.
But from what I've seen, when she's started to open up,
it's--she's amazing.
And I want you to know this isn't something
that doesn't come with weight.
And I understand the seriousness of it.
And I respect the idea of what a marriage is.
So if it does come to the point of getting down on one knee,
it would be hard to do that without knowing
that her family, especially you as her father,
would accept me and possibly be able to have your blessing
to marry your daughter.
Because this would be the last time that I see you.
- I mean, the way I see Maria tonight,
I haven't seen her that way with anybody.
And I tell you that honestly.
So if she chooses you, and you choose her--
- Mm-hmm. - Because it's both.
It's a two-way street.
- Two-way street.
- So if I know you're the guy that she chose,
and I respect her decision,
I would have no problems giving you my blessings.
And you become more to me than a son.
Because the woman that you chose is my life.
- Mm-hmm.
- Take care of her, respect her,
and we're gonna have a--
one big, fat Greek-Italian wedding
and have you part of this family.
Is Maria ready for marriage?
Is she ready to settle down and have a family?
100%.
But I know she's also, you know, cautious.
OK.
She's guarding her heart.
That's what scares me, you know?
She's trying not to get hurt.
I've never seen you the way I seen you today.
You seem happy.
You seem like you are falling for him.
Are you this happy?
- [crying]
- It's OK.
It's OK.
[soft music]
♪ ♪
- I...
♪ ♪
- I'm here for you no matter what.
No matter what, I'm here for you.
And I just want the best for you.
He looks like, you know, he cares about you,
and looks like you care about him.
So are you falling in love with him?
- I'll be honest with you.
It took a while for me to, like,
even open up to him at all.
And that was, like, a big problem in the beginning.
- So you didn't want to get hurt.
- Yeah.
- You know, if I didn't see what I saw with Joey--
- Do you see it really?
- You were glowing.
And I haven't seen that in a long time.
I know you got your guard up.
- Yeah.
- But put it down.
Give this a chance.
He's a good guy. - He is.
- You know, he's a down-to-Earth...
- He is. - Guy.
And if it doesn't work, at least you tried.
'Cause he did ask.
- What?
- If it is you in the end,
would I give my blessing?
- Wait, I don't know if you were supposed to tell me that.
- Well, I'm telling you.
And I--and I told him, yes, wholeheartedly.
- I don't think you were supposed to--sorry.
That's really nice.
- It was nice.
And you know what you mean to me.
You're everything to me.
And I want you to give this a shot.
'Cause I've never seen you this happy.
- This moment right now means everything to me.
- Maria doesn't open up that easily.
But when she does, she'll spill her guts.
Joey, I've never seen that before in my life.
[laughter]
I know she wants this badly.
She doesn't want to admit it, but I can tell she's in love.
And he deserves to know.
- What is this? No, no, no. - You're beautiful.
- This has got to go. - Look how cute you are.
- Dad, why did you have to do--
You can't see this attitude.
- I've seen it already.
This isn't the first time I've seen it.
- She seems happier than normal.
It looks like they have a meaningful
relationship going on.
If Maria gets engaged,
I'm the happiest man in the world.
I want this for her.
Maria, are you eating?
♪ ♪
- Why would they put this in?
- [laughs]
- No! No.
- You look cute.
- Look at them.
Tonight exceeded my expectations.
I'm so happy that my family gave me
the validation I needed.
What I believe to be true is coming across to them
to be that way as well.
- I get to see it all now.
- Good.
Are you happy about my family?
- They're--they're amazing.
- My dad's blessing means everything to me.
I feel like I'm in love with Joey,
and everyone sees it.
That was... - I loved it.
- A lot.
But he doesn't know that I'm actually there,
and that's the problem.
I feel like I need to tell him.
I don't want to leave with things left unsaid.
I'm very happy that you met the people that I love most.
And I'm happy that they see what I see in you.
And they've accepted you already, which is amazing.
And they saw how happy I was and how happy you make me.
- Yeah.
- Having my dad say let my guard down
and give it my all, that meant everything.
Like, you have no idea.
Um, and I want you to know, um...
yeah, you know, I feel very strong about you.
And I know I have, and I continue--
it continues to grow.
That's for sure. - Mm-hmm.
- Um...
♪ ♪
I appreciate you being here.
- I appreciate you inviting me in.
- Yeah.
OK. - Thank you for tonight.
- Thank you.
I want to tell him how I feel.
But why am I so worried?
♪ ♪
All right.
- Goodbye for now. - Goodbye for now.
♪ ♪
I don't know why I didn't say it.
I just froze.
Yeah.
♪ ♪
It sucks that he's gonna leave today
not knowing how I really feel.
I--I don't know.
I feel like I regret that.
♪ ♪
[tense music]
♪ ♪
- I am so nervous
about going into the Rose Ceremony tonight.
There's four girls here.
And so anybody going home is significant.
I think that all the women that are still here
have amazing qualities.
And we've spent the most time together.
And we all got really close.
So it is such a weird situation to be in where
you're like--you know, you don't want your friend's
heart to be broken because they went home.
But also, the way that I feel about Joey,
it would be devastating to not continue this with him.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
I told my dad that I loved Joey.
But I don't really know what's going on through his head
or how his Hometowns were with the other ladies.
And things just feel so good,
but I'm sure that everybody feels that way with him.
I think that also, like, after this past week
and him meeting my family, that made me
just realize how much it's gonna hurt
even more if I go home.
♪ ♪
- I'm pretty nervous about tonight.
My Hometown went amazing,
but of course there's always gonna be nerves.
I told Joey I was falling in love with him.
And I'm just really excited to see where this could go.
And that's why, like, I need to get a rose tonight.
You never know what's gonna happen.
I could be falling in love and feeling this way,
but yeah, he could also be falling in love
with Maria, Kelsey, and Rachel.
So that's where, like, the doubt comes in.
And that's where I'm, like, reality check.
♪ ♪
- I try not to be too nervous going into tonight's ceremony,
but it's a little nerve-racking.
Every week, it's just getting harder and harder.
And Hometowns felt very surreal.
So I'm trying to be hopeful.
But I'm also being a realist
that it could go either way tonight.
I am falling for Joey.
My feelings are very strong.
And to be falling in love with someone
is such a huge step to take.
And I've only been in love, like, once in my life.
So I am very glad that I'm allowing
myself to fall in love again.
But, you know, if I didn't get a rose tonight,
I would absolutely--
I would be very, very sad.
♪ ♪
- I think Joey had a great time meeting my family.
But after I talked to Joey and said my goodbyes, like,
I wanted to tell him that I was falling in love with him.
But I just--I don't know.
I just couldn't do it.
And I feel like I regret that.
We're going into a Rose Ceremony.
And three other women probably told him
that they're in love with him
or they're falling in love with him,
and it's like, he doesn't know that I feel this way.
I should have told him then.
Well, now I have time-- I still do have time--
well, no, I don't, 'cause if he doesn't
give me the rose, then I'm screwed.
♪ ♪
- Hi, ladies.
all: Hi.
- I want to thank each and every one of you
for the most amazing and special week.
The meaning of this rose is that I felt like
we took a step forward in our relationship.
And I think that's what's most important.
♪ ♪
Feeling confident with my decision tonight,
but I know it's not gonna be an easy one.
These are the four women I've had the strongest
relationship with.
No goodbye is gonna be easy.
No goodbye is really gonna make sense.
I'm sending someone home that I care deeply about.
But the most important thing for me to do tonight
is not second guess.
At this point, I have to go with my gut.
And I feel like I know who the three women are
that I want to move into next week.
♪ ♪
- Joey...
can I talk to you for a second?
♪ ♪
[suspenseful music]
- Joey, can I talk to you for a second?
- Yeah, of course.
♪ ♪
Let's go this way.
- Right before Joey is about to give out the rose,
Maria pulls him, and I'm like,
what does she possibly have to say right now?
♪ ♪
But, you know, at this point,
I'm just hoping and praying that I get a rose tonight.
♪ ♪
- OK. I'm so nervous.
I don't want them to hear me, but...
um, so obviously, like,
I don't want to have regrets coming out of this.
And you know how important it was
for you to meet my family.
But, you know, saying goodbye to you the way that I did,
I feel like I didn't do it in the best way,
'cause I told you that
I can see myself falling in love with you,
and the thing is, I can't,
because, like, I am falling in love with you.
And I didn't feel like I got to tell you that that night.
Um, regardless of what happens tonight, honestly,
I just wanted you to know that
I would regret not telling you that.
- Thank you.
OK.
♪ ♪
[tense music]
♪ ♪
- What was that about?
- Sorry. - What was that about?
- I don't know.
- You don't know? - I'm freaking out.
- You don't know, but you... - Sorry.
- Asked him to talk?
- It wasn't--it was just what I had to do in the moment.
I'll tell you one day.
Sorry.
♪ ♪
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
[suspenseful music]
♪ ♪
- Daisy.
♪ ♪
Daisy, will you accept this rose?
- I would love to.
Thank you.
♪ ♪
- Kelsey.
♪ ♪
Kelsey, will you accept this rose?
- Of course. Thank you so much.
♪ ♪
- Ladies, Joey, it's the final rose tonight.
When you're ready. - Thanks, Jesse.
♪ ♪
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- Rachel.
Rachel... - Yes.
- Will you accept this rose?
- Always.
[somber music]
♪ ♪
- Maria, I really am sorry.
- It's OK.
- Please take as much time as you need,
and when you're ready, you can say your goodbyes.
- Thank you. - OK.
- Bye.
♪ ♪
Oh, you're so sweet.
♪ ♪
Bye.
♪ ♪
Aw, Joey.
- Can I walk you out? - Mm-hmm.
- OK.
♪ ♪
That, um...
I hope you know how difficult that was for me.
- Mm-hmm.
- I'm still trying to find the words of, like,
what I can say in this case, 'cause I know there's
probably not much I can say.
Um, we've had a bumpy road.
But you know I've fought for you every time.
And I've chosen us.
And I've tried everything in my power to get to the point
of continuing to see a future.
And I went into Hometowns with you very open and ready
to see what came next.
And you said everything I needed to hear.
- Yeah.
- And even though you didn't say
what you said tonight,
I hope you know that, like,
I was trying my best to get there.
Just tonight, I felt like it would be dishonest to you
to move forward with the amount of doubts that I have.
♪ ♪
So I don't know if that helps.
I doubt that it does.
I just wanted to be honest and tell you how much
you mean to me, how much this has meant to me,
and how much I care for you, and how tough this is.
But it feels wrong in some ways.
It just--it's tough, so...
- No.
No, it's fine.
♪ ♪
- OK.
[engine starting] - OK.
♪ ♪
I'm confused.
I came here, showed all of me.
I told Joey that I am falling in love with him,
and if that's not enough for him,
then, like, what more can I give this man?
It sucks.
And it makes me sad because it's like,
Joey was everything that I've always wanted.
And it doesn't come often where I feel these--this way.
But I should have told him how I felt
a lot sooner than I did,
and that's my biggest regret.
♪ ♪
- Next week on "The Bachelor"...
[dramatic music]
- We are in Tulum, Mexico,
and I am falling in love with every woman that is here.
- Oh, my God, there's a stingray right under us.
[laughs]
- Love is a leap of faith,
and let me tell you, I feel like
I'm about to take the biggest leap.
[screaming] - Whoo!
This week is potential Fantasy Suites,
and I hope by the end of this, I feel everything I need to
to be able to get down on one knee
and know it's my person.
I'm falling in love with you fully.
I've felt it for a while.
- I am falling in love with him.
- It's a wonderful feeling, to love.
- Intimacy for men is different than it is for women.
- OK. - I have been in your shoes.
- Yeah. - I didn't get chosen...
- Mm-hmm. - And that was hard.
Always have something in the back of your head
that you might not be it.
- She said that she's okay.
I can tell that she's not.
- There's still two other women,
so I could literally, you know, get my heart broken.
- I can't see you because I know that
you're having the time with someone else.
[crying]
I am definitely terrified that
maybe opening up, it's too late.
[ominous music]
- I have this feeling deep down inside,
once I show every part of myself,
people don't fall in love with me.
♪ ♪
It says, "We need to talk."
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Just done with this.
I don't understand what this is.
This is, like, my worst nightmare.
[sniffles]
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This would derail everything.
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