Chapter Thirty-Five
Connor
Elder McKinley sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Bedtime always gave him anxiety. It was the entrance to Hell, and although he had the Hell dream every night, he could never get used to it.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, listening to the steady sound of Elder Pop Tarts' breathing. He envied his companion's ability to sleep so easily. He wondered if Pop Tarts ever had the Hell dream. It didn't seem like he would.
Elder McKinley laid back on the bed, pulling the thin white sheet up to his chin. He folded his hands over his chest, mentally preparing himself for the terror that was to come. He knew that it was a futile effort, but he tried every night. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. He felt himself slip into sleep.
The dream was different from what he usually experienced. There was no fire, no brimstone. Instead, he was on top of a grassy hill, sitting on a picnic blanket with someone. They were holding him close, running their fingers through his hair. Elder McKinley looked up at the person, almost choking when he saw who it was.
It was Elder Price.
And he was showing him affection in plain sight.
Where other people could see them.
"Hey, McKinley." Elder Price grinned. "Good to see you're awake. I was worrying I'd have to carry you home."
"To the mission center, you mean?" Elder McKinley asked, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.
Elder Price laughed, throwing his head back. "No, silly. Home. Where we live. Why would I be carrying you to the mission center? We left Uganda years ago."
Elder McKinley sat up, taking Elder Price's arm off of him.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"McKinley, you're scaring me." Elder Price said. "Did you forget everything while you were asleep?"
"Forget everything about what?" Elder McKinley wondered.
"About us." Elder Price explained. "About me. You know, me, the man you married. The father of your child."
"My child?" Connor repeated.
"Yes. Your child." Elder Price confirmed, nodding slowly. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine." Elder McKinley sighed.
"Are you having the Hell dreams again?" Elder Price continued. "I thought we'd moved past those."
"No. No, I'm not." Elder McKinley said, leaning back against Elder Price.
He was pleasantly surprised that he wasn't in Hell. He wasn't sure why he wasn't in Hell, exactly, but it wasn't something he cared to dwell upon. When you're blessed with something wonderful, you don't begin to question it.
He sighed happily as Elder Price gently intertwined their fingers. Elder McKinley looked up at him; he was smiling contently, staring off into the distance.
"I love you, you know that?" Elder Price wondered, still looking out at the horizon.
"You do?" Elder McKinley asked.
"Of course I do. That's why I married you." Elder Price replied, squeezing Elder McKinley's hand gently.
"I love you, too." Elder McKinley decided, squeezing back.
He wasn't sure why he was having this dream, but he sure as heck didn't want to wake up from it.