When she returned to Sydney, Tara went to Sammy's studio to talk to Christian. She saw Kayla with him and decided to avoid the confrontation. After a call to Ethan, she realized she couldn't avoid him the whole time. She went back and said hello. Tara mentioned to Kayla about trying out for 'So You Think You Can Dance,' since she didn't get into first year at the academy.

"That's a great idea, thanks Tara…. and I'm sorry about what happened. You should know that Christian and I are just friends," Kayla clarified.

"Whatever you are to each other, is no longer my concern. And you'll knock them dead with your hip-hop."

"Can we talk a minute?" Christian asked.

"Sure. What's up?"

"Are we okay? I mean, I know what you said on video chat, but…?"

She took his hand in hers. "It'll take some time for us not to be awkward, but I'm still your friend. This year I'll be focused on completing third year. You'll be here teaching."

From how she spoke and the lack of chemistry between them, he knew that they were definitely over. He hoped his best friend would still be there in the end, but only time would tell.

Back at the academy, Ethan had been right, third year was taking up a lot of her time.

They kept their promise, making sure to spend at least thirty minutes a day on video chat.

He noticed that she played with the star necklace charm he'd given her the last night they were together.

Throughout third year, when Tara was anxious, lonely or sad, a phone call or video chat with Ethan and all was good again. He encouraged her friendship with Christian, but knew those two would never be like they once were. He too would call her with good and bad news about work. It was hard being in a long distance relationship, but both made it work. When he could, he came back to Sydney to offer help or support. One such time was when Tara competed for the Prix de Fonteyn preliminaries. He choreographed a variation of Cinderella and composed the music score for her. Due to work obligations he couldn't attend the Nationals, but she called him right after winning in the female category. He did make it front row centre for the Internationals, which she placed second at once again.

"I competed, just to make sure I could, since it was that stage that made me damage my back badly. Precious Adams from the USA, totally deserved the win and apprenticeship. She was flawless," Tara admitted.

Ethan gave her a bouquet of flowers, "you were fantastic. No one would ever believe last year your back had been broken!"

"I'm just so glad you were here for this, thank you." Tara kissed Ethan in a way that said she'd show him just how much she loved him… later.

The next day and last day of his stay in Sydney, she spent with him in it's entirety. They made love repeatedly and then went for a romantic dinner and walk in the park. In the evening, they went to watch a contemporary performance at Sammy's studio. Ethan congratulated Christian on his success as a teacher. Then it was one more stollen moment and off to the airport he went. He'd miss her and she him, but soon it would be Christmas and they would reunite.

He arranged that for the first few days of Tara's Christmas break, they would spend it in Switzerland. She'd experience real snow for the first time in her life. That's where he planned on proposing and giving her the engagement ring. Then they would return to Sydney and meet up with Kat, Abigail and Wes at the Webster farm. That way those closest to Tara and her family could celebrate. As much as he was nervous to ask her, he was also excited to be alone with her. He wanted to make all her dreams come true and he'd start with real snow. Tara had told him that Ben had found a skating rink for her, when they'd dated. Christian had fake snow for her winter prom. But he'd be the one to give her the full experience. His choreography work was spreading and he was getting paid well. He wasn't a starving artist anymore. After the CCCB performance, he'd no longer been an apprentice and had a full five year contract.

It seemed like forever, but finally Christmas break arrived. Tara flew to Barcelona, only to find out that Ethan was taking her to a cabin in the Swiss Alps. With the help of her mother, Ethan already had a suitcase of appropriate cloths packed for her. They flew out the same night she arrived. He loved the expression on her face, when she saw real snow. Before they even unpacked, he was showing her how to make a snow angel. The cabin had an out door hot tub and that's were they spent the first hour.

"It's so quiet when it falls. It's this big white blanket, but much more magical! Oh thank you Ethan, this is the best Christmas present ever," Tara said. Her eyes were round with wonder.

"When you dance freely, sometimes you remind me of a flake slowly floating down to earth. Pure beauty," his words reflected the love that shone in his eyes. Then to lighten the mood, he added, "just whatever you do, don't eat the yellow snow."

Curious, Tara asked why. When he explained she laughed, "oh that's gross!"

Next he showed her how to make a snow ball and they had a short snow ball fight, while still in the hot tub. He got out first and put his robe on. Then as Tara got out, he picked her up, so her feet didn't freeze on the deck. He carried her inside their cabin and put her down. Then out he went to put the cover on the hot tub, when he came back she awaited him in bed. Her heart was soaring and it showed in her love making. Afterwards, they put on snow gear and he helped her build a snow fort. It was childish, but fun. He adored her because of how she embraced new experiences. They watched the snow fall, drinking hot coco. It seemed like the perfect time.

Ethan got down on one knee and took off his mitts. Then withdrew a small box from his jacket. "We've always had this connection, you're like my heart beat. I love you Tara, will you marry me?"

Her eyes grew huge, her mouth formed an O as she looked down at the ring. It was a four leaf clover style, with little emeralds surrounding diamonds to form the petals. Her eyes weld up and she looked at him, "I… yes, yes, yes! I love it and I never knew I could be so happy! I love you Ethan, you make me feel things that no one ever has or ever will."

He put the ring on her exposed hand and picked her up. They laughed and cried, as the snow continued to fall. She wanted to call her parents and that's when he explained that they already knew. At the end of the week, they'd return to Australia for the celebration.

"Who else knows? Do Kat and Abigail know?" Tara asked, still staring at her ring.

"They both know, so does Grace, Ben, Lucinda and Ollie. Your dad has known for a while now. When I came to the farm during your break, I asked him then." Ethan confessed, glad that he no longer had to keep the secret.

"What about Christian?"

He shook his head. "I figured I'd wait to see if you wanted me to tell him or if you wanted to do that."

"How about we both do it together?"

Ethan smiled, "anything you want."

"Wow I'm engaged!" Tara gushed, still unable to believe everything that had happened in the last 24 hours.

"I did make an agreement with your dad, that the engagement would be a few years. He wants you to be sure and that we're not rushing into anything. Not to mention, we don't know where your career will take you."

She cupped his face in her hands, "I can't even think right now….I have to call Kat and Abigail!"

He grinned and let her rush into the cabin to find her phone. He, himself, couldn't believe she'd said yes. For a few seconds Ethan hadn't been sure if she would. Looking up into the sky he whispered, "thank you Sammy… I wish you could've seen her face."

Tara had heard him and poked her head out the door. "How long have you wanted to ask me this?"

"Sammy knew it all along. He couldn't believe that I stepped aside so you could be with Christian. He'd caught me once, drawing a sketch of your ring. That was just before I asked you the second time to join me in Spain," Ethan explained.

"I don't know what to say, except that I'm glad he knew and was wanting us to be together."

The mood was turning a little somber, so he asked, "hungry? I can make dinner, while you talk to the girls."

She nodded, dialled Kat and then conferenced in Abigail. "Is this why you two have been distancing yourselves?…. Oh Kat, I love the ring… it was so romantic Abigail!" Tara explained about the snow and how Kat's brother had proposed to her.

He had dinner ready, before the call ended. She handed over the phone, so the girls could congratulate Ethan too. Finally he hung up. Dinner was eaten in front of the fire, which cast a warm glow inside the cabin. Both were happy and on cloud nine. Santa Clause had come early for them both.