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The last light in the house darkened with the faint flicking sound of the switch. Joe's footsteps padded on the cold ground, the lack of warmth seeping up into his skin. It crawled towards his chest, settling there as he stood at the window. Blue-gray eyes watched as the stars gleamed behind translucent clouds, the moon's borrowed light illuminating the backyard.

He kept thinking of his trip to the supermarket. A trivial moment, sure. That laugh just clung to him. It was a sweet song, so innocent and pure. A little girl, he'd figured out when he turned to look. Her hair tied in the cutest pigtails, the rubber bands pink and bright against her blonde hair. She had a toothy smile, green eyes. He remembered.

After that, Joe couldn't stop thinking. He couldn't get out of his head. He'd stumbled over his words when speaking to the cashier, almost dropping his credit card.

It was dark now, the sun having drifted away to give a turn to the moon. The laugh replayed over and over, making the house feel incomplete. Even with you curled up in bed nearby. It was too quiet when he was unpacking the groceries, too quiet as he got ready for bed. Too quiet, too cold.

He checked the time, 9:47PM. With a sigh, he surrendered to the mattress and slipped under the blankets.

He tried to fall asleep, he really did. It was past midnight and Joe's mind just wouldn't shut off. He lingered on questions that were stupid, all things considered. Those late night thoughts that needed an answer.

"Do you think we've gotten married in every universe?" Joe's voice finally broke the tranquil silence that usually settled by this hour. The body next to him didn't stir. "Hey, pst," he mumbled, gently shoving his wife next to him.

You stirred finally, one eye begrudgingly opening to peer at your husband. "What-?" Your voice questioned slowly, face turning to bury into the soft pillow in hopes of falling back asleep.

"C'mon, answer me. Do you think that we've-"

"Joe," you whined, lifting a hand lazily. It draped over his face in a futile attempt to shut him up. The man scoffed in response, though he pressed a gentle kiss to your palm before lacing your fingers together to pry the hand from his mouth.

"Answer me, baby," Joe repeated, his voice copying your whine. "Do you think that in every universe we're married? Maybe, in some, we have kids."

He couldn't help but bring it up. His brain was all over the place, especially after he'd fallen sick with baby fever today. He ached, truly. It was a worse sickness than the flu, Joe was sure of it.

When you didn't answer, he lifted his leg, placing cold feet on your calf. Your eyes shot open, voice squealing, "Joe!"

He raised his foot again, making you scramble. "Yes- yes!" You answered quickly, wanting to avoid his cold feet at all costs. "Yes, Joe, we'd be married in every universe." Your body shifted away from him, eyes narrowing in a glare despite the tiredness.

"We'd have a daughter in them," the man started again, very adamant about children in these hypothetical universes. Your head lolled back against the pillow with a soft sigh.

"I want a daughter in this one, too," Joe admitted quietly, his arms reaching to pull you to his chest.

"Okay, we can have a daughter," you relented languidly, melting into his hold. "Now, go back to sleep."