Emily Maynard

In what has been described as somewhat of a dark season, all thanks to the black widow Courtney Robertson, the Bachelor season 16 ended last night with an engagement!

Yes Ben Flajnik, 29, did indeed propose to Courtney, 28, as expected, and much to the dismay of may fans. In fact, Courtney found herself on the receiving end of some boos when she took the stage for the After The Final Rose special.

So what’s the latest with the couple? Well, it appears they are still together for the time being, and trying to make things work. The engaged couple was brutally honest during the March 3 taping of the ATFR, during which Ben revealed that he did dump Courtney in early February over not being able to deal with the backlash.

There were times “I didn’t leave the house, I just laid there and I cried,” revealed a somber Courtney over being dumped, adding that trust is very important to her.

Ben, who vehemently swore on his father’s grave and denied cheating — despite the photos and reports that say other wise — then apologized to Courtney and vowed to be there for her through thick and thin. “It hasn’t been an easy ride,” Ben said. “I want to apologize to her, in front of everyone, for not standing by you throughout this entire journey…I messed up in that regard, as an engaged couple and as the man, I feel I should have stayed with you the entire way instead of taking steps back and taking time apart.”

The apology seemed to work as Courtney added, “I know how I feel about him, and that I love him. I’m not ready to just turn my back on him. So…I’m willing to try.”

Ben and Courtney are expected to grace tomorrow’s over of PEOPLE magazine. I must say, I actually found myself feeling bad for Courtney last night. I know she was this awful villain, but she does seem to truly love Ben, plus Ben chose her despite all the warnings from others, and should have therefore stuck by her through the hard times. I can’t imagine the two would ever be able to build complete trust again, especially in light of the cheating scandal.

Moving on to the forgotten runner up, Lindzi Cox, who managed to keep her dignity intact when she told Ben to call her in case things didn’t work with Courtney.

Appearing on Good Morning America today, Lindzi seemed to be in a much happier place, even wishing Courtney and Ben the best. “At the end of the day, yeah maybe it was tough for a little bit, but he made a decision, it was what’s best for him, and I respect that,” said Lindzi, 27. “I wish him nothing but the best.”

As for why she failed to appear on the AFTR special, Lindzi stated that Ben and Courtney simply had more important issues to hash out than her need for closure. “Ben and Courtney came out and it was a pretty emotional go they had. I think it was tough for them. I’m in a good place. I don’t really need my closure,” Cox said. “I think Ben has bigger things to worry about, so we just decided that I’d play another day.”

Meanwhile, ABC announced that a new season of the Bachelor Pad is under way. Even better, similar to the past MTV Read World/Road Rules challenges, the network will now allow fans to try out for the series!

A slot is being kept open for one fan on the series to compete for the $250,000 prize! Those with the “charm, wit and personality to find love or money” on Bachelor Pad 3 can apply by clicking here.

And finally, Emily Maynard’s season of the Bachelorette is also coming soon! ABC revealed the new season will debut on Monday, May 14. Filming is reportedly slated to begin on Wednesday in North Carolina.

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TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE BACHELOR FINALE? DO BEN & COURTNEY STAND A CHANCE? DO YOU FEEL BAD FOR COURTNEY OR BEN? WILL YOU BE TRYING OUT FOR THE BACHELOR PAD 3?