Fonzie made his ways down the steps that ended at the Cunninghams' back door. He took hold of the door knob and started to turn it, then stopped, suddenly unsure of waltzing in like he owned the place. It was his usual entrance, but today was anything but usual.

It was Thanksgiving, the one day out of the year set aside for being thankful. On the surface, it may not have seemed as if the Fonz had much to be thankful for. He had his good looks and any girl he wanted, but none of that could be helped - he was the Fonz, after all. Why wouldn't he have those things? But he knew there were at least four things he was grateful for, and they weren't really things at all.

He had Richie, his best friend. Had Fonzie ever told him so? He couldn't remember, but he knew he wouldn't trade their friendship for the world.

And there was Joanie...Shortcake, the little sister he'd never had. In typical teenage fashion, she could sometimes drive him crazy, but he loved her for it.

Then there was Mr. C., always full of fatherly advice - solicited or not. Fonzie would never admit this, but there was a part of him that actually enjoyed those heart to heart chats.

And of course there was Mrs. C., the one person who used his first name and got away with it. She was the mother figure in his life, the only one he'd ever really had.

How in the world had he survived so long without this family? If not for them, he wouldn't be the person he was today, and he was different from the person he used to be because of them. And whether the Cunninghams realized it or not, each of their opinions mattered to him. If there was one thing that Fonzie didn't like, it was the thought of disappointing them - especially Mr. and Mrs. C.

As he stood outside pondering all of this, Fonzie was startled by the opening of the door. On the other side stood Richie.

"Hey Fonz, I was just on my way up to see if you were coming. You didn't forget, did you?"

Fonzie looked back at the red-head and allowed a smile to play at the corners of his mouth. "No, I was just on my way down."

He followed his friend into the house and through the kitchen to the dining room. Fonzie took a moment to pull out Mrs. Cunningham's chair for her, blushing at her "Thank you, Arthur", before taking his own seat.

After Mr. Cunningham gave thanks for the meal and "all our many blessings," dishes were passed around the table. Fonzie handed Joanie the plate of turkey, then took the green bean casserole from the lady of the house.

"Thanks, Mrs. C." He smiled. For everything.