"The Bachelorette" finale: Desiree Hartsock's love story takes a turn

"Bachelorette" Desiree Hartsock's world was turned upside down when the man who captured her heart this season, 28-year-old sales rep Brooks Forester, dropped out of the competition one week shy of the finale. Was Des able to move on from her heartbreak with Chris Siegfried or Drew Kenney? Read on to find out...

Monday's episode began on a low note with Brooks' departure weighing heavily on Desiree's mind. After much soul searching, the 27-year-old bridal stylist ultimately decided to push through the pain and give Chris and Drew a real chance, despite the circumstances.

Pics: Former "Bachelorettes": Where are they now?

First up was Drew, but before their date could ever really progress, Des couldn't help but admit her time with the 27-year-old digital marketing analyst didn't feel quite right.

"I don't know if I see our futures together," she blurted, to a devastated Drew. "I never in a million years wanted to hurt you. I just know."

Though he was taken aback and "crushed," he thanked her for being honest.

"I found the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with," Drew lamented as he was sent packing. "When it was all said and done, she didn't want to be with me."

When time came around for Chris' date, Des expected a similar change of heart for the 27-year-old mortgage broker, but was happily surprised to feel butterflies for her date.

Related: "Bachelorette" recap: "I Love You" comes too late

"How could I have not have loved him from the beginning?" she wondered aloud.

Awash with feelings of love and excitement, Desiree invited Chris to meet her parents, as well as her notoriously protective brother Nate, and the meeting couldn't have gone better.

"If you choose him, I think you're definitely making the right choice," admitted Nate to Des, who appeared shocked to get the hard-won blessing.

Video: Former "Bachelorette" reveals prediction for Des

Meanwhile, after a heart-to-heart with Des' dad, Chris was granted permission to propose.

When the moment everyone was waiting for finally arrived, an admittedly nervous Chris reminisced over the weeks he spent getting to know and love Des before making a move to get down on one knee, but was immediately stopped short by the "Bachelorette" so she could first lay out her side of the story, feeling he was owed it.

Divulging the details of her heartbreak over Brooks, she tearfully revealed, apologetically, that the situation made her realize Chris was everything she ever wanted, before finally accepting her suitor's second attempt at a proposal with an enthusiastic "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!"