Butterfly Effect

Epilogue

Sicily, August 10th 2023.

My son was asleep in my wife's arms as my daughter was sitting next to me and she was looking at the sun disappear beneath the waves.
Seventeen years ago, I would have never imagined that this would be my life. But here I was... I was in my home country, on my favorite beach, during my brother's favorite day, with my amazing wife and my beautiful children.
Hailee was lost in her own head, so I started to gently play with her curls, showing with that gesture all of my affection.
"I can hear you thinking, Bambina" I said "What's on your mind?".
"That I would have loved to meet zio Andrea" she answered, turning around to look at me.
"I would have loved that too... He would have been a great uncle to you and your brother" I responded with a small smile. Just the idea of my brother as an uncle brought a wide smile on my face.
"Mamma?" she asked, looking down at the book that she'd just taken out of her backpack.
She looked so good, so happy, someone totally new from that girl that ran into the station, asking for help. Her dark curls crowned her beautiful face that was starting to have the hint of a nice tan, and her eyes, so unique and special, were sparkling in the soft sunset light.
"Yes Bambina?" I answered calmly.
"Do you know what the butterfly effect is?".
I thought for a while about her question, but even though I had surely heard of it, I actually didn't know what it was.
"No Lia, I don't think that I know that" I said and she moved a bit closer to me, resting her head on my shoulder.
"It's chaos theory..." she started "Some scientists believe that a butterfly that flutters her wings is responsible for a hurricane on the opposite side of the world".
I looked at her, fascinated by her explanation, but confused about the meaning behind it.
"I know that saying it like this doesn't really mean anything... But I was actually thinking about the meaning behind this theory" she continued with a soft smile "This means that small things have massive reactions... That everything leads us to our destination".
I stared at her, starting to understand where her speech was going.
"One morning I found out about the clinic at the station, and thanks to that I met you and mom... That is a small thing that brought me to the greatest change of my life" she clarified and I finally understood completely her point of view.
"If you say it like that, Bambina, then yes... I can say that I'm living it too... I decided to go study in the States for one year and now, seventeen years later, I have a beautiful family" I said, using her point "You, Lia. You are my butterfly effect".

A.N. This book would never exist without the incredible support of Emma, my wonderful sister, who was with me throughout this journey and that was the first person to read every chapter and to fall in love with the characters, original or already part of the station 19 universe. The greatest thank you is for her, because she had been the first one to believe in me and in my voice as I was trying to come up with this story.
A very important mention goes to the two people behind every word: Danielle and Stefania. Without their love for Maya and Carina and their acting, I would have never taken a pen in my hands and I would have never written a single chapter of "Butterfly Effect". They are my home away from home, and all of this is mainly for the two of them.
I want to thank my friend Laura for reading and giving her feedback on every chapter. I waited every time for your comments.
Camilla, you have made me laugh and cry happy tears with every reaction. I'm glad that you decided to test yourself and your English level with my words and I'm honored that you fell in love with this story as much as I did.
My dear Martina, my favorite swiftie, you have been my ray of sunshine during the bad moments and my confidant in the middle of the night when there were only us and the stars. A big yellow heart goes to you and your live reactions to my chapters in our private chat. I still want to know if you found every mention or reference about Taylor Swift, and maybe one day you will tell them to me...
The biggest thank you goes to my best friend, my favorite person and the reason for my smile. Ludovica, your words helped me to see the good side of people and that I was worth something more than what I was convinced was my value. I'm the luckiest person in the world to have you by my side. I'll miss your usual "Ti odio" after every chapter and your reaction in our private chat. I can't wait to do it all over again with our story.
And finally, I want to thank all of you who read this story and gave me their feedback and their advice, for your comments and for the love that you have shown for "Butterfly Effect". You always made my day.