Page 76 of Maxwell

“I don’t mind at all.”

While the adults gathered the rest of the refreshments, the kids raced ahead of them. The rest of the family was downstairs in the theater room where more food and drinks were on tables in the back, including wings, mini quiches, and a crudité platter. Maxwell saw that his father had wheeled his large, retro-style popcorn machine out of storage, and Kerilyn—Audra’s oldest daughter—was handing out bags of popcorn to her younger siblings and Bruno’s stepson.

“You want some popcorn?” Maxwell asked Jasmine.

“Sure.”

He took a bag from Kerilyn and handed it to her. He then made introductions to the rest of the family members downstairs, which included India—who worked at Santana International and was now engaged to his brother, Thiago—his eldest brother Ethan, Andre, Monica’s husband, and Damon, Audra’s husband.

After the introductions, he and Jasmine settled in the third row. In front of them, his mother and father sat next to each other, with India next to Rose and Thiago beside Benicio. Because there wasn’t enough seating, kids were lying on pillows at the front of the theater with drinks, popcorn, and other food.

During the course of the evening, the group conversed about who they thought would win, cheering for their favorite performances, and talking about which movies they had or hadn’t seen. When Wrong won best adapted screenplay and the best actor award for the lead actor, they applauded. But when Ignacio lost the best director award, a groan went up among the group.

“He was robbed!” Benicio yelled, punching his fist at the screen.

Maxwell patted his father on the shoulder to calm him down. Then the end of the award show arrived, and the presenters prepared to announce the best picture Oscar. Jasmine grabbed Maxwell’s hand, squeezing it tight, as invested in his brother’s success as the rest of the family.

When the presenter announced the winner as Wrong, the room erupted into cheers. The younger kids, who were dozing on the pillows because of the late hour, popped their heads up. Thiago and Benicio were the first to shoot to their feet, applauding.

Bruno grabbed Maxwell from behind. “He did it!”

Damon gave Andre a high-five, and half the room was on their feet, clapping, hugging, and laughing.

Ignacio approached the microphone wearing a black tux, his long hair pulled into a ponytail. The full cast stood behind him.

“Shh!” Benicio said, waving his hands at the room. “Mijo va a hablar.”

He remained on his feet while everyone else took their seats. No one dared tell him to sit down because he was blocking the view. They all understood how proud he was in that moment.

Ignacio stared at the statue in his hand with utter disbelief. “Good evening. Wow, I’m in shock, but it’s a good shock.” Soft laughter came from the crowd. Ignacio cleared his throat. “Since I was a little boy, I watched my parents’ performances on screen and dreamed of becoming an actor myself. Then I decided I wanted to work behind the camera, and the journey to this point has been tough but satisfying. There are so many people I need to thank. First, I want to thank my future wife, Delta James, for being a sounding board while I worked on this project. Production was stressful, and having you by my side helped tremendously. I love you.”

The camera panned to Delta, looking regal in a shimmering halter-top dress and her hair pulled into an intricate updo. She blew him a kiss.

Ignacio continued expressing his thanks, mentioning the cast, crew, and Brockwell Media for believing in the project and financing it.

“I know my family is watching at home, and I appreciate all of you. I want to give special thanks to my parents. My mother, for her role in raising me and teaching me to appreciate the arts. Mama Rosa, for accepting me into your heart and becoming a second mother to me.” Rose reached for and held Benicio’s hand. “And to my father, one of the greatest actors and directors the film industry has ever seen. Thank you for believing in me, guiding me, encouraging me, and supporting me.” His voice thickened as he finished his speech in Spanish. “Muchísimas gracias, papá. Esto no es solo mío. Es también suyo.”

Thank you so much, Dad. This isn’t just mine, it’s yours too.

Ignacio held up the award and the crowd applauded.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Benicio sank into his chair and wiped away a tear. Thiago gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze.

Rose brushed his hair with her fingertips. She whispered something—which, to Maxwell, looked like “Congratulations.” Then she kissed his father’s cheek, and they rested their heads against each other.

Chapter Thirty

Benicio was sitting up against the pillows when Rose returned to the bedroom.

“Did you get lost on the way to the kitchen?” he teased, removing his glasses.

It was late, and he was still on a high after the Oscars. He and Rose had talked to Ignacio for a few minutes soon after the award show ended, and Benicio had fielded calls from family and friends, proudly answering questions and accepting congratulations as if he had won the awards himself.

He set aside the magazine he had been browsing while he waited for Rose to return.

“No.” She turned off the light and slipped off her robe before joining him in bed. “Skye was in the kitchen when I went downstairs, and she had questions about an issue she was having with Angel. I gave her advice on how to handle the situation.”

Skye’s parents had died in a tragic accident when she was a teenager, and Rose had become like a mother to her from the time Skye started seriously dating their eldest, Ethan. Ethan and his family and Bruno and his family were spending the night, which meant they’d be able to see their grandbabies tomorrow at breakfast.