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‘Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After?’ Finale Recap: Ben Higgins Calls the Wedding ‘Unwise,’ Lauren Bushnell Fears He’ll ‘End Things’

Speak now or forever hold your peace! On Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After‘s Tuesday, November 29, season finale, Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell — who found love on season 20 of The Bachelor — celebrated their bachelor and bachelorette parties in Las Vegas. The groom-to-be was joined by his posse of Bachelor Nation bros Jared Haibon, Tanner Tolbert and JJ Lane, none of whom were yet aware that the wedding is off, a hasty decision Ben made in a prior episode

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Lauren, who won Ben’s heart and accepted his marriage proposal last year in Jamaica during the Bachelor finale, celebrated with Amanda Stanton, Ashley Iaconetti and Emily and Haley Ferguson. The twins — having been season regulars on the Freeform series — already knew that wedding bells would not be ringing anytime soon. A bachelor and bachelorette party on the same weekend in Las Vegas with many people who have dated one another previously (we’re looking at you, Ashley and Jared) already in attendance — what could possibly go wrong?

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The boys are back

Ben and his crew bonded over rather awkward conversations and reflected on wild stories before offering marital advice to the Bachelor because these reality TV alums are totally qualified to speak about such important milestones (sarcasm implied). Now would have been a good time for Chris Harrison to intervene! But alas, unable to hold in his secret any longer, Ben revealed the nature of his relationship with Lauren. He bluntly stated that the couple “has issues” and that they needed to “take a step back and build [their] relationship,” given that the initial plan to get married as fast as possible was “a very unwise place for us to come to.” 

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This confession was met by shock and doubt, along with some not so comforting words by Tanner, who turned the conversation into a somewhat narcissistic monologue about how perfect he and Jade are. Then again, perhaps he does have a point (as long as you’re not watching this season of Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars).

Girl talk

Meanwhile, while enjoying a spa day with her girl squad, Lauren confessed her belief that Ben may have called off the wedding because she’s “not good enough, or because he can’t see life with [her].” She then admits that she wonders “if he’s going to end things completely.” Lauren, who is far better at withholding her doubts than Ben, didn’t let her guard down and worry her friends with the news of the wedding being called off — because the twins actually did it for her! Indeed, Emily and Haley spilled the beans, but Lauren ended up being relieved because she didn’t have it in her to break the news herself.

Lauren Bushnell and Ben Higgins toast with friends

Happily ever after?

Dining with his dudes, and clearly overwhelmed by everything going on, Ben admitted that he misses his other half. Like a scene from a movie, Ben’s friends told him they have a surprise for him. Simultaneously, Lauren’s group escorted her to a secret location where something special was waiting for her as well. 

Each group told their guest of honor to look up, and boom, cue a tearjerking montage of moments reflecting Ben and Lauren’s love story, starting from the first day they met until the present. Cheesy? Maybe. Perfect and goal-worthy? Absolutely.

Lauren Bushnell and Ben Higgins

A full circle

Emotional and nostalgic, the ever-so-romantic Ben called Lauren, and the two met at the top of the Skyfall Lounge, overlooking the Vegas strip. The lovebirds proceeded to reaffirm their deep-rooted feelings for one another and promised to always be each other’s “person.” Reassuring Lauren — who, let’s face it, hasn’t had the easiest of weeks — Ben reminded his fiancée that “I never thought for a second I could live a day without you. Lauren, I’m gonna be your husband. Lauren, you’re gonna be Mrs. Higgins.”

Thinking out loud about what’s on every viewer’s mind, Lauren asked, “Does this mean the wedding is back on?” To which Ben replied, “Of course it is.” The two were then joined by their families and friends for a champagne toast and joyful celebration, with Ben announcing that he and Lauren are ready to resume wedding planning.

Related: PHOTOS: Failed Reality TV Romances

And there you have it, a happy ending to an emotional season! From the Bachelor mansion to Las Vegas, it seems as though this fan-favorite couple might just make it to the altar after all. Will what happened in Vegas stay in Vegas, or are Ben and Lauren still committed to saying “I do”?

Tell Us: How soon will Ben and Lauren tie the knot? 

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