The Bachelorette Recap: Meet the Parent (Season 13 Episode 9)

After weeks of anticipation, the famed fantasy suite date episode of The Bachelorette has finally arrived… kind of.

Though Rachel has officially named her final three — signaling overnight time — The Bachelorette Season 13 Episode 9 first picks up with a round of meet the family fun for each contestant.

Because Rachel’s sister is eight months pregnant and thus cannot travel, all three men will have to meet her, along with Rachel’s mother and extended family, at their home in Dallas, Texas.

Peter gets Real

Peter is the first to face the Lindsay fam. But before heading home, he and Rachel make a pit stop to do some clothes shopping — picking out a gift for her sister’s new baby and three-year-old son.

Before they enter her family’s home, Peter takes a moment to clarify the things he said to Rachel last week. Though he still needs time for his feelings to develop and grow, he is able to tell her: “I am falling in love with you.”

Unsurprisingly, Rachel says the same back. But is this declaration something to celebrate, or the kiss of death for Peter? (Remember, Rach said the exact same thing to Dean just minutes before we saw him sent home rose-less last week.)

Upon meeting and greeting Rachel’s family, Peter tells the story of how his parents met and got engaged after only a month of dating. For that reason, he and Rachel both believe that under the right circumstances and with the right person, falling in love over the course of just a few weeks can be possible and real.

Later in the day, Peter takes Mama Lindsay aside and, rather than ask for permission to propose to her daughter, tells her the truth: he is falling for Rachel but does not want to get engaged unless he is absolutely certain it will result in marriage.

Rather than see this as a warning sign, Rachel’s mom is impressed by his maturity and bold honesty.

And with that, the entire family stands firmly on Team Peter.

Can the other two men possibly live up to such a solid first impression?

Eric in Love

Next up is Eric, to whom Rach gives an aerial tour of Dallas from atop a tower. As they look out at the city, their smiles, laughter, and attraction for each other are hard to ignore.

Though Eric’s relationship with Rachel has certainly been the slowest to progress (in comparison to Peter and Bryan, that is) could it be the most real? With each passing week, his personality and love for Rachel shine through more and more.

The one negative that Rachel and her family continuously emphasize while discussing Eric is the fact that he’s never been in love before. But is this really a negative??

Eric insists that, despite the fact that he’s never felt this way about a woman before, he knows that Rachel is someone he could spend his life with. Thankfully, the Lindsays believe him, giving Eric high praise and, ultimately, their blessing.

Bryan takes a Beating

For their final visit to the Lindsay home, both Bryan and Rachel arrive wearing their matching watches.

But before they head to meet mommy, Rachel introduces Bryan to her coworkers — the two ladies who actually signed her up to appear on The Bachelor! Here, Rachel admits that, on Night One, she thought Bryan was a douchebag because he was so cool and confident (Weird, since she gave him the first impression rose…).

Though Rachel’s friends give Bryan their seal of approval, he struggles to earn the same from her family during their home visit.

Because Bryan is so smooth, the Lindsays struggle to believe him when he tells them how much he loves Rachel. As a result, they give him a hard time throughout the day — despite Rachel’s constant attempts to defend him.

At one point, Rachel sits down with her mother for a one-on-one chat and reveals that she is falling in love with Bryan. Her mom thinks this is concerning, telling Rachel that she finds it hard to believe anyone could fall in love in such a short amount of time.

In the end, however, Mama Lindsay decides to trust her daughter’s judgement and offers Bryan her blessing to propose if and when the time comes.

So all three men, if chosen, are now armed with the Lindsay family’s blessing to marry Rachel. But will the last lucky man left standing use it (ahem — Peter)?

Eric’s Overnight

Finally, it’s time for those overnight dates! First to get an invite is Eric, who gets to explore Spain with a romantic helicopter ride and champagne toast along the stunning coast.

After a fun-filled day together, Rachel turns things up a notch over dinner, prompting Eric to really share his feelings for her. Eventually, he tells her that — though this experience has been a scary and often confusing ride — he is in love with her and “truly happy.”

The moment is sweet and so obviously genuine, and it leads Rachel to hand over her invitation and key to the fantasy suite. Unsurprisingly, Eric gladly accepts.

Though we, of course, miss out on the details of their night together, Rachel and Eric wake up just as happy as they were when they entered the suite. And as they kiss each other goodbye, Eric can’t stop repeatedly telling Rachel : “I love you.”

But does she feel the same? It seems unlikely with both Peter and Bryan waiting in the wings, but one can’t help but hope — especially while looking into Eric’s loving puppy-dog eyes.

Peter’s Painful Honesty

Peter’s date is next, and he and Rachel start their day at a Spanish vineyard. Here, Peter admits to Rachel that he did not ask her mother for permission to propose. But before Rachel’s able to respond, they are randomly interrupted by a little girl — who just so happens to be lurking around the corner? The moment is truly bizarre.

Thankfully, their conversation continues later in the evening over dinner. Rachel tells Peter that she does not intend to leave this journey with a boyfriend — she could have found that without “all of this.” Instead, she wants a commitment and the promise that both parties intend to be married.

But, unfortunately, Peter is unable to tell her what she wants to hear. An engagement is important and weighted for him, and he just isn’t feeling ready and certain about Rachel at this point in time.

Rachel, though she remains composed, is crushed by this revelation. She tells the cameras that, for the first time ever, she’s thinking: “Peter and I might not work out.”

Will Peter’s feelings grow enough to satisfy Rachel before it’s too late? Or will Bryan and Eric reap the rewards of his downfall? Tune in on Mondays at 8/7c on ABC for the final two episodes of this season’s The Bachelorette to see how it all ends.