The evening stars

Epilogue

Sophie's life changed as if it had started anew, where everything that once seemed difficult and tangled now remained in the past. Stephen was nearby — her support, her love, her future.

A year after moving to Italy, their life was filled with warmth and joy. In their apartment in Rome, the sound of children's laughter filled the air — their son, Matteo, was the living embodiment of their love, that new beginning that Sophie had never even dreamed of before. His tiny fingers held her hand tightly, and with each of his laughs or smiles, Sophie realized that right here and now she had finally found what she had always been missing.

Stephen was just as caring and loving as she had known him from the very beginning. They built their life together, supporting each other in every detail. They and Stephen enjoyed every moment of life in this city — evenings over a glass of wine, strolls through the Vatican, visits to their parents in Sicily. It was a completely different life compared to the one she led in Chicago, but it was in this life that she felt she belonged.

One evening, as they sat on the balcony of their apartment, enjoying the view of the sunset, Sophie caught herself thinking that she couldn't wish for a better ending to her story. She recalled all the moments that brought her here — the meetings with Alex, their painful breakups, the difficulties of choice. But now she knew that all of this was necessary to find her true happiness.

— Have you ever thought that everything would turn out this way? — Stephen asked, gently taking her hand.

Sophie smiled, looking at him and Mateo, who was sleeping on her lap.

— No, never, — she replied. — But now I can't imagine how it could have been any different.

One winter, when they all went to Sicily again as a family to celebrate Christmas with Stephen's parents, Sophie suddenly realized how deeply her feelings for this place and its people were rooted. Roberto and Chiara became true parents to her, always supporting and helping her in difficult times. She didn't feel like a stranger in their home — on the contrary, their warmth and care were a comfort to her.

That evening, as they sat at the festive table watching Mateo curiously examine the Christmas tree, Roberto raised his glass of wine.

— For the family, — he said, winking at Steven and Sophie. — We are grateful to fate for bringing you together.

— For the family, — Sophie repeated, feeling gratitude swell in her chest for everything she has.

When dinner was over, the whole family went out onto the terrace. The sky over Sicily was clear and sprinkled with stars. The very stars that once seemed unattainable to Sophie were now so close, as if they were embracing her with their light.

— Sophie, are you happy? — Stephen suddenly asked, turning to her.

She looked at him, at Mateo, who was holding her hand, at their shared home and their parents standing nearby, and realized that this question no longer needed an answer.

— More than ever, — she replied softly, pulling him closer to her.

The past, with its complexities and pain, seemed so distant, as if it were part of another life. Everything that came before — her journey with Alex, doubts, fears — has led her to this moment. Sophie knew that things wouldn't always go smoothly, but now she was confident that in any circumstances, she and Stephen would be able to get through everything together.

They stood watching as the sea gently washed over the shore under the starry sky. This moment was the perfect conclusion to their journey and the beginning of a new chapter — a chapter filled with love, family, and endless possibilities.

Sophie lifted her head to the sky, gazing at the bright stars.

"Now they are not just evening stars," she thought. "Now they are ours."

And with this thought, she realized: her story was not over, it was just beginning.