by David McAlpine

It's the final night on The Bachelor, and it truly is the night we've all been waiting for. There haven't been as many InTouch or US Magazine covers and the drama has been slightly lower than in past seasons, but the stakes are just as high. Brad Womack, the man who turned down two gorgeous, amazing women on national television only to become one of the most hated women in America is now supposed to make the choice: Emily or Chantal.

The suspense is killing me.

Brad starts out the evening with his family, who is also just as attractive as he is. Apparently Brad is ready this time. 100% ready, and he wants to propose to her. Bad. Keep this in mind for the "After the Final Rose" recap.

Chantal comes over to the family's house first, and it looks like she got dressed in the dark. However, she seems to mesh with her family well (no matter how quick Momma Womack comes at her), and she's glowing at the thought of being with them for the rest of her life. They're talkative, she's talkative--it seems to work.

Emily is second, and she has flowers for the family. It seems like almost an artificial start to what was a very emotional evening. Brad is clearly more attached to Emily, but he doesn't explain her situation very well, or with a lot of clarity. It's almost as if he himself is still trying to believe it, but he can't.

Brad's brother's main concern: he's not sure Brad is ready to become a father. But Brad's mom is digging Emily to the max. She's crying and everything over Emily's story, the two of them together--I think we know who Brad's parents are pushing for to win.

It's final date time! Chantal and Brad get to go swimming with the sharks (which, let's be honest, haven't they been doing all season? Zing!). After such an adventurous date, Chantal gives Brad her final present: a message in a bottle. Brad gets really teary-eyed over it, as does (surprise, surprise) Chantal.

Emily's date is a little more tame, and she blows her "I've got the parents vote lead" with a strong dose of reality: Brad will no longer be an uncle if he picks her, he will be a father. Not single, not even married Brad, but "dad Brad." He double takes, but then really gets into it, and you can see that he's actually considering how he can be a father to this girl.

But Emily doesn't take that lying down. She starts pushing Brad's buttons, really asking him what he thinks it takes for him to be a father. His response: being a friend and a disciplinarian "when necessary." Emily is not a fan of this answer, and Brad gets upset that she's grilling him, even though a relationship is supposed to be a two-way street. Strange? I think so.

After a very long, drawn out process where Brad picks his ring and then talks about Chantal and Emily, it's moment we've all been waiting for.

First out of the car: Chantal! Ouch, she really thought she had it, and she ended up missing it completely. Brad keeps talking, but all she seems focused on is not crying, unlike the rest of the season. She makes it to the limo, then lets loose.

Emily, on the other hand, gets his "forever," and Brad wants hers, too. She says yes, and they share a kiss as the newest (sans taping time) reality couple while the South African sun sets.

(Photo courtesy of ABC)

Follow David on Twitter: @DavidMcAlpine