Prompt - Robin Scherbatsky - "The future is scary, but you can't just run back to the past because it's familiar." - 'How I Met Your Mother'
"I'll go get the dessert," I said, pushing back my chair when I noticed we had all finished our dinner. "I made tiramisu," I added, picking up my plate and reaching for dad's.
"A tira what?" Finn asked.
"Just give it a chance, Finn," I said, the words coming out a little harsher than I intended but I was really starting to get tired of him criticizing my cooking especially as he hadn't actually disliked anything I had ever cooked for a Friday night dinner.
I could feel my dad's eyes on me. "Sorry," I said quickly. "It must just be nerves," I added, turning from the table and hoping they would accept that reply. After all, tomorrow was the rehearsal dinner and then the wedding. The life my dad and I had managed for ourselves after my mom died would be no more.
Biting my lower lip so I wouldn't start crying, I took the two plates I was carrying over to the sink.
"Hey, I didn't mean to sound critical about dessert, dude. I just never heard of it. But then again, half the stuff you cook I've never heard of."
The unexpected words caused me to jump. I hadn't realized anyone had followed me.
"It's okay. I guess I'm just wound kind of tight right now."
"They expelled, Karosky. You don't have to worry about the threat any longer," Finn replied, placing the last two plates in the sink as I headed for the fridge to get the dessert out.
"It's not just that," I said, taking the dish out and placing it on the counter. I turned to face him, leaning back against the counter. "Do you realize that our lives are about to change forever. Everything we've come to know, everything that is familiar, will be erased the moment our parents say I do."
Finn was quiet for a moment, and I assumed he was thinking over my words.
"When you put it that way, it does seem kind of daunting. But think of everything we're gaining. You and I will both be a part of a whole family in a couple of days. I'm sure I'll miss some things about it being just my mom and me, but I'm starting to see her point about there being things that I'm missing out on. We can't cling to the past because it's safe and familiar or we'll lose out on the wonderful experiences the future holds for us."
I took a moment to contemplate his words and realized Finn had a point. I was scared about the future but this wasn't the first time I had faced a major life change. My mother dying had changed things forever, and this definitely wasn't as traumatic. I was gaining this time, instead of losing.
"Who knew you could be so philosophical," I commented lightly, as I started dishing out the dessert.
"Is that a compliment?" Finn asked, causing me to smile. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad.