Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“How many people will be there?” Jasmine asked as they rolled down the highway toward his parents’ house.
She was checking her makeup in the sun visor mirror in his vehicle.
“Everybody’s in town, which means all of my siblings will be there—except Ignacio, of course—and their partners. Plus my parents and all the kids, including the babies, because my brothers aren’t allowed to show up at the house without the grandbabies.”
“No leaving the baby at home with a babysitter then?”
“Not if they want to be allowed to enter the house. Adding you and me, that’s...
let’s see... twenty-one people, I think.
Bruno lives the farthest away. If Liam is sleeping, he and Marissa will probably spend the night so they don’t have to disturb him.
If Angel is sleeping, Ethan and Skye will probably do the same thing since it’s convenient. ”
“I bet your parents love that.” Jasmine flipped the sun visor to the ceiling.
“I’m sure they’re secretly praying for that to happen.”
“That’s a lot of people to have in the house at once,” Jasmine remarked.
“Twenty-one people is nothing. We’ve thrown all kinds of parties at my parents’ house.
My dad loves to entertain, and when he built our house, he made sure there was a special room for parties.
With all of us grown and out of the house, my parents love having their grandchildren come over more than anything else.
A couple of weeks ago I went over there, and they had my nieces and nephews for the weekend.
My dad was running around with them and wrestling on the floor. ”
“Didn’t you tell me that he has a bad back?”
“He does! But he does what he wants, and then if his back goes out, Mom has to help him get back into shape. She’s constantly having to monitor him about his back or remind him to wear his glasses when he’s driving. He doesn’t listen.”
Jasmine shook her head. “Sounds like my father. He’s always sneaking food he knows he shouldn’t, and he’s a doctor!”
“Hey, you only live once.”
“Uh, yeah, and I want him to live as long as possible.”
They had arrived at his parents’ house, the sprawling mansion coming into view as they approached the circular driveway.
“Whoa,” Jasmine said.
Multiple cars were parked out front near the base of the steps leading up to the double doors.
“You grew up here?” she asked in awe.
“Home sweet home, my humble abode,” Maxwell said jokingly.
“Humble? Are you sure I’m dressed okay?” She looked doubtfully at her jeans.
“Of course. My family isn’t judgmental, and I’m wearing jeans. I wouldn’t set you up to be embarrassed.”
“I know, I’m... I don’t know.”
“Relax.” He covered her hand with his.
“Why am I so nervous?”
“Because you love me, and you want my family to love you, and they will. Because you’re amazing.”
She looked at him with deep affection. “I want to give you a quick hand job for that.”
He groaned. “Don’t tempt me. Come on.”
They found some of his family members in the kitchen, engaged in spirited conversation, already eating the hors d’oeuvres. Jasmine reached for his hand as they entered, and he squeezed hers reassuringly.
“The baby has arrived,” Monica cooed. Tall and slender with a low-cut Afro, she rushed over to give him a hug. “I haven’t seen you in forevah!”
“Because you’re always gone on one of your influencer trips.” He hugged her back.
“I know.” She looped her arm around him and turned her attention to Jasmine. “Hi, I’m Monica. Maxwell’s favorite sister.”
“Jasmine Roberson.”
“Everybody, this is Jasmine Roberson. Jasmine, this is everybody—well, about half of everybody. Introduce yourselves,” Maxwell said.
And they all did.
“Hi, I’m Audra. His other sister, who’s apparently chopped liver.”
Jasmine laughed at her comment.
Next, his parents, Bruno and Marissa, Skye, Thiago, Junior, and Tracy. As each member of the family gave their names and how they were related to him, Jasmine visibly relaxed.
“Are you one of Uncle Maxwell’s girlfriends?” Junior asked, gazing up at her.
Audra grabbed her son and slapped a hand over his mouth. “Ignore him. He can be a little too nosy.”
Maxwell wrapped an arm around Jasmine’s waist. “She’s my only girlfriend,” he informed his nephew, not missing the subtle surprise in the expressions of some of his family members.
“We’re very happy to have you join us this evening,” Rose said. “I’m sure Maxwell has told you how excited we are about his brother’s film being nominated for multiple Oscars. Of course, we want him to win, but it’s an honor just to be nominated.”
“Mommy, you can’t keep saying that. You have to put positive energy out into the universe. He’s going to win all four categories that he’s nominated in,” Monica said.
“It is an honor to be nominated. It is better to win,” Benicio said.
“Amen,” Thiago said with vehemence.
“I just don’t want to be disappointed, but you’re right. We should all send positive energy his way. All right, I need help taking the rest of these dishes downstairs.” Rose turned to Jasmine. “Do you mind grabbing that bowl of chips over there?”
Maxwell knew with that question that his mother was letting both Jasmine and him know she was welcomed.
“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.