Octavia!
Gabriel's eyes bore into the grandfather clock across the room, finding the date and counting. It had been a week since he had found out he was going to be a father, and that meant it had been a week since he'd completely dropped off the face of the earth when it came to--anything. Octvia's invitation could not have been timed any better, and Gabriel used the sick days he'd been saving up to take the week off in Austria.

He should be home. When he had thought about it, because all young pureblooded men thought about their heirs and when the time would come, this was supposed to be a happy time. He should be thrilled, he should be elated. And, to be honest--there was an excitement bubbling under his skin.

It was just being completely overwhelmed by being disowned by his entire family and losing everything he knew.

His shoulders slightly tensed as the door opened, and Gabriel's gaze left the clock to send a soft smile at Octavia. He would apologize for being a lousy companion, but that would mean revealing the reasons behind his nearly forlorn demeanor.

"Where would you like to have dinner?"