[@Super Duper]

Blake said nothing throughout the meal, nor did Beatrice or George, aside from the occasional casual conversation, such as when Beatrice needed to go grocery shopping, or when was George going to have a look at that dripping pipe under the kitchen sink. These short, trivial conversations truly were simply for keeping the meal from being too awkwardly silent.

After everyone had their filling of the spaghetti and garlic bread, Beatrice whisked away to the kitchen with the dirty dishes and leftover food, returning then with a partially eaten apple pie, which she served with glasses of milk and cool whip to top off the pie.

It had been an eventful, interesting day, and a good filling meal seemed to do everyone a fair justice.
By the time everyone was finished with desert, it was nearly seven-twenty.
Beatrice had already taken to clearing up and cleaning the kitchen, while George took it upon himself to lock up the gate outside, as well as the doors and windows of the entire property and activating the security system.

While Beatrice and George handled their respective duties, Blake had lead Maddison into the parlor, a posh room decorated with ornamental paintings, pottery, and glass ornaments. In the center of the room sat a dark brown piano of glazed wood that shone even in the comfortable parlor lighting.

Blake sat with Maddison on the red fouton just to the right of the piano, his legs and arms firmly crossed. He still wore the same clothes from earlier, the blue dress shirt with the loosened tie, and the black slacks and matching shoes.
His face held a steadfast but not unkind expression as he looked at Maddison beside him.

"Now,"he said to her,"with Beatrice and George handling their evening chores, we now have a chance to talk privately."

His words were more pronounced now, and his voice steadier. By this point, the nerves from earlier had simmered down, allowing him to properly annunciate himself. 

"So, firstly Maddison, you have my deepest sympathies for the loss of your mother. Though she and I did divorce I never wanted bad for her, not at all.
I am very sorry for your loss, but at the same time, I am glad that you are now here with us. We're [b]all[/b] happy to have you. We will do the best we can to ensure you enjoy it here."