“Alright, here we go… The winning couple of season nine is…” My heart is beating so fast I think it’s going to explode, and Molly’s eyes are shut tight, her hand gripping Duncan’s with such force that I’m a little concerned for his circulation. But then Tomlinson licks his lips, glancing back down at the card once more before shouting, gleefully, “Molly and Duncan!”
What follows next can only be described as pandemonium.
Tanesha bursts into tears and a distraught Kory tries to comfort her, only for her to push him away and storm off the stage.
Tina and Jean-Luc cheer for Molly and Duncan, then immediately start making out.
The audience stands, screams, claps, shouts, and whoops while streamers and glitter fall from the studio ceiling onto the stage.
Molly genuinely starts crying, her hands shaking from shock.
And then…Duncan gets down on one knee.
Surprised gasps fill the air as a hush falls over the studio, everyone intently focused on Duncan’s shaky hands.
Camera 2, already primed and ready to go, pushes in on Duncan and Molly, and I catch sight of Glen directing Camera 3 to swivel and record the audience reaction.
“Molly,” he starts, his voice trembling—and I wonder if he’s nervous she might actually sayyes, which isn’t the plan. “I know when we were in the hot tub on the last day, you told me that you didn’t want to get married, but…I can’t live without you. I want you…no, Ineedyou to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
Tension crackles in the air, and it’s so silent all I can hear is the faint buzzing of the monitor beside me. Molly’s eyes are wide, her hand clasped over her mouth as she stares down at her fake boyfriend.
“I… Uh… Oh, Duncan,” she says softly, looking around at the audience and then at Tomlinson. “You know I-I can’t.”
Duncan seems at a loss for words, and I’m curious as to what he’s planning to come out with. We didn’t give him too much direction, though now I’m considering whether or not that was a mistake.
“Um…” he says, looking down uncertainly at the open ring box in his hand, the sparkling diamond twinkling in the studio lights. “Please?”
I stifle a laugh. His delivery is so hilariously sad. Not real, of course, but still.
“Duncan, Ireallylike you. But I don’t even love you yet.” Molly bends down, touching his shoulder to pull him up, and he pulls back slightly at her touch.
“I thought we were soulmates.”
Okay, that’s a little much, dude.
“Can we talk?” Molly says, holding out her hand. He takes it, rubbing stoically at his eyes before following her to the couch, where the two sit facing each other.
Tomlinson sits back down in his armchair.
“You guys mind if I join you?” he asks, and they both nod solemnly. Back in host mode, Tomlinson clears his throat and says, “Duncan, that was a beautiful, heartfelt proposal.”
I scoff.Yeah, right.
“I thought so, too, Tom…” Duncan replies, teary-eyed.
“Molly, do you want to let me in on what’s going through your head right now?” Tomlinson asks. Molly doesn’t even look at him; she keeps her attention completely on Duncan.
“Dunc,” she starts, her words tinged with kindness and compassion. “You have so much love to give, and I’m starting to realize how important the grand gestures are to you. But marriage is one grand gesture I’m just not ready for—and I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for it.”
Duncan hangs his head, doing a great job of showing real emotion at her words. I’m impressed.
“What’s wrong with me?” he asks, and the audience reacts with a swell of scattered “awws.”
“Oh, babe, nothing is wrong with you,” Molly says comfortingly, squeezing his hand and reaching out to caress his cheek. “You are perfect. We just want different things. You’ll make another woman so happy with how committed you are.”
I wince, but Duncan nods. There’s silence for a few beats, and then Tomlinson jumps in.
“This is such a mature conversation, you two. I’m sad to see that things might not work out, but I think you’ve both learned a lot about yourselves this season.” Molly reaches out to hug Duncan, and Tomlinson seems to take it as his opportunity to wrap things up. “We’re going to let these two hug things out, but in the meantime, how would you like to get a sneak peek at our next season?”
