The Philocalist 〰 ♡ 〰 Volume One

Manhunt

"So after Officer Chen claimed to get eight hours of sleep every night, our rookies consented to a camera in their homes monitoring their sleep and to a follow car to see what they're doing if they're not sleeping" Grey starts roll call.

All of the TOs are grinning, very excited to see how their rookies spend their free time.

"Some of our rookies were more responsible with their time than others" Grey continues, before placing play on the TV in the roll call room.

"We'll start with the responsible one" Grey says.

{Camera Feed}

"here's the pay for the week" Elle smiles, giving Maya her pay before Maya takes her leave.

"can we have Pelmeni?" Max asks once Maya leaves.

"um, I think we have a pound of turkey" Elle muses, opening the fridge. "yeah, we do, I can make Pelmeni, why don't you go start your homework?"

"yay!" Max exclaims, running into the living room to start his homework. 

His exclamation makes the twins wake up and Elle lets out a little sigh. Elle fetches the twins, feeding them dinner while she makes dinner for herself and Max. 

[Two Hours Later]

"alright, all tucked in" Elle smiles, tucking Max into bed.

"when is mama coming back?" Max asks.

"mama?" Elle frowns. "Max, your mama and papa are on a trip right now, you know that"

"no, not them, mama who sleeps with you" Max shakes his head.

"Zoe" Elle realizes. "um, well we were supposed to talk about something but she got busy at work"

"will she come back soon?" Max inquires.

"I'll make sure she does" Elle promises, softly, kissing his forehead before turning off his light. "good night, Max"

"good night" Max yawns.

Elle sighs and closes the door to Max's room. Elle glances at her phone, seeing no new texts from Zoe.

Elle has been trying for a week for her and Zoe to meet up and talk and it's almost like Zoe is avoiding the conversation because she always finds some reason she can't do it. 

Elle wanders into her room, frowning down at her phone before setting it down and charging it before opting for a shower to clear her head. 

After the shower, Elle dries her hair enough for it to only be damp before crawling into her bed and turning on her TV. By the time the intro is done playing for Young Sheldon, Elle has fallen asleep, curled up in bed under her mountain of blankets with her teddy bear - Checkers - snuggled under her nose. 

Elle wakes up a few hours later to the twins crying in their nursery. Elle lets out a little cute whine as she forces herself out of bed and pads to the nursery. It seems the twin girls were in the mood for a late night snack because Elle soon finds herself nursing them while she tries to stay awake.

Young Sheldon is Elle's falling asleep show so instead Elle has turned on the news, wrapped up in her blankets since she gets cold at night while she desperately waits for the twins to finish nursing and fall back asleep. 

"Mommy?" Max wanders into her room, rubbing his eyes.

"Max, what are you doing up?" Elle murmurs, surprised that he's awake at this hour.

It completely flies over Elle's head that he called her mommy.

"had a nightmare" Max mumbles, climbing into Elle's bed.