Legends Live On ~ by Patrick Councilor

Fonzie woke up on the fold-out couch in his old apartment above the Cunningham's garage. He sat up and stretched. 'Today is the day', he thought. He rolled out of bed and got some orange juice out of the refridge and poured himself a glass. What a great day to be alive.

There was a knock at the door. "Door's open," Fonzie called out.

Howard and Marion came in. Marion was holding a tray of food. "Good morning, Arthur. We thought you might like to have breakfast up here in your old apartment. Everyone is running in and out of the house to get the place ready for the wedding."

"Hey thanks, Mrs. C."

"Are you nervous?" Howard asked.

Fonzie stopped for a moment to think. "I wasn't nervous until you just asked me right now."

They chuckled.

Marion headed for the door. "I've got to run. I'll leave you two to talk. I have so much to do. Danny has to get his breakfast too." She headed out the door.

Fonzie sat at the table and placed his breakfast in front of him. Howard took a seat at the table beside him. Fonz started to eat, but stopped short. He felt Howard watching him. "Mr. C, do you want some of my breakfast?"

"No, I had my breakfast down stairs."

"Then what… Oh." The light went on inside his head. He wiped his mouth with is napkin and placed it on the table. "Is this my 'what to expect with marriage' talk or are we going to do the 'sex talk'?"

Howard smiled. "No, nothing like that." He handed Fonzie two cufflinks. "I got married wearing these."

Fonzie picked them up and took a closer look at one of them.

"I want you to have them."

"Thanks Mr. C."

Howard looked around the room. "I remember when you first moved in here. I was dead set against it. Thought you would be a bad influence on my children. Boy, was I wrong. It's been such a pleasure even knowing you Fonzie." He stood up. "I guess what I'm trying to say is… I'm very proud of you. I love you son."

Fonzie stood up with teary eyes. "Thanks Dad." He hugged him with everything he had.

After breakfast, Fonzie showered, dressed and shaved twice. When there was a knock at the door, Fonzie answered it with a face full of shaving cream. He was about to shave again to keep himself from pacing the floor. It was Danny. "Hey Dad, I guess it would be foolish to ask you what you're doing?"

"Actually, I'm shaving for the third time." Fonzie walked back toward the bathroom.

"What? Really?" Danny followed him inside.

"Yeah. It helps to keep busy."

"Dad, I was wondering if we could have a little convo."

Fonzie toweled off the rest of the shaving cream. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

"Step into my office," Danny said as he gestured to the table.

They both sat at the table. "I'm all ears," Fonz said.

"Dad, we're family and we'll always be pretty much together and always there for one another."

"Sure."

"You and Richie have been friends for a long time."

"Yeah."

"The friendship that you and Richie have is pretty special. I mean, I don't think I will ever find a friend as good as Richie is to you. I mean, someone who isn't related to me, that is."

"Dan, what is on your mind?"

"It is such a great honor being your best man…"

"Thanks."

"…but I'm going to have to decline."

"Dan… I…"

"Richie deserves to be your best man. You two have been through so much together. You were proxy for him at his wedding and I know he would be so honored to be your best man. I love you very much, Dad. I want to do this for you."

Fonzie smiled. "You… you're alright. You make a great son."

"Thanks. Besides, I'd probably screw up the toast."

Fonzie hugged him. "Hey, come on. I've got something to show you."

"Where?"

"Down stairs."

Danny followed Fonzie downstairs to the garage. Fonzie lifted the garage door. There sat Fonzie's brand new motorcycle.

"Wow!" Danny was taken back. "That is nice!"

"You are free to take it out when you ask as long as there's no more Dead Man's Ridge."

"You've got it. Can I sit on it, Dad?"

"Yeah Dan, 'Sit On It'." Fonzie laughed.

Danny gave him the look like 'okay you got me'. He then mounted the bike. "Dad, this is NICE."

"Yeah, Shi helped me pick it out." He walked over. "How does it feel?"

"Fantastic!"

Fonzie reached over and grabbed the car cover in the other half of the garage and

pulled it off of a brand new red convertible.

Danny's jaw almost hit the floor.

"You like red, don't you?"

"Dad! I'm speechless."

"This is a family car, but when you turn eighteen, this baby is all yours."

"Dad, what can I say?"

"'Thank you'."

"Thank you." He got off the bike and hugged his father. "Thank you!"

"We can't take the motorcycle on the honeymoon, so we'll take the car. You can ride the motorcycle while we're gone."

Danny pulled away and put his elbow on Fonzie's shoulder. He then rested his head on the palm of his hand that was propped by the elbow. "You know, you make a pretty good father."

They hugged again.

Danny, Richie, and Chachi were in their tuxes up in Fonzie's apartment over the garage, keeping Fonzie company just a few hours before the wedding. Fonzie was pacing back and forth, when Al poked his head in the door. "Can I come in?"

"Sure Al." Fonzie stepped toward the door.

Al turned to the others. "Guys, do you mind if I have a moment alone with Fonzie?"

They all obliged and went down stairs.

Fonzie pulled a seat out for Al and then took another seat and spun it around to straddle it and rest his arms in front of him (on the back of the chair). "What's up Al? Is your brother, (the father), here yet?"

Al took the seat. "He's on his way." Al took a deep breath. "Fonzie Fonzie Fonzie Fonzie Fonzie, there comes a time in a man's life…"

"Al, this isn't my 'what to expect from marriage' talk, is it?"

"No. Oh, no. I don't know where you got that idea. I just wanted to give you this." He handed him an envelope.

"Al what's this?"

"You know, when I married your Aunt Louisa, that made us family. I just wanted to give you a little extra spending money."

"Al, you don't have to do that."

"I want to Fonz. Now, don't try to give it back. You'll hurt an old man's feelings."

Fonzie nodded. "Thanks Al." He gave him a hug.

There was a knock at the door.

"This place has got to be busier than the train station." Fonzie turned toward the door. "Yeah."

Marion, Howard and Louisa were at the door. "Can we come in?"

Fonzie turned to Al to see if Al had any objections.

"Come on in," Al said.

"Are you sure we're through with this little talk?" Fonzie asked.

"Yes, I asked them to come up."

"Oh," Fonzie turned as they all came in.

"Arthur, you look so handsome in your tuxedo," Marion said just as proud as she could be.

Howard spoke up. "Fonzie, we wanted to give you a wedding gift from the four of us. Now, I know that we should be waiting to give this to both you and Shishuichiu, but we decided that this can't wait." He handed him an envelope.

"What is this?"

"Open it Arthur," Marion urged.

Fonzie opened the envelope. "Two round trip tickets to Hawaii!"

"Yes," Louisa said. "We wanted you guys to have a great honeymoon."

Al jumped in, "We decided to give them to you early so you would have time to cancel any honeymoon plans you may already have."

"That is, if you want to change them," Howard added. "These tickets are good for one year. Whenever you want to use them."

Fonzie gave each of them a hug. "Thank you so much."

"You're more than welcome." Marion said. "Arthur…" She lay a hand on the side of his face. "You are family. We love you." She was so choked up, her voice cracked.

"I a… shouldn't get misty before the ceremony." Fonzie wiped his eyes.

They all hugged him at once.

The Cunningham's back yard was filling up. Roger was greeting people at the front door and asking them to sign the guest book which lay on the kitchen table. Potsie and Ralph were then escorting them to the seats in the back yard.

The next two people to sign in were Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney. "The Fonz is getten' married Shirl."

"I know." Shirley wiped the tears from her face.

"What are you cryin' for?," Laverne asked.

"Weddings always make me cry."

"Shirl, it's just a guest book."

"I know. I know. But now we are etched in Fonzie's book of wedding memories that he'll have for a life time."

"Hi, I'm Roger - Howard and Marion's nephew."

Shirley shook his hand. "It's very nice to meet you."

Laverne shook his hand vigorously. "You're a cutey-patootie." She dipped him and kissed him hard on the mouth.

Shirley pulled Laverne's hair.

Laverne let go of Roger. "Owe!"

"Not at Fonzie's wedding," Shirley whispered from the corner of her mouth.

Carmine Ragusa hurried through the front door. "Not a lot of parking out there."

"Carmine," Shirley spoke up. "I'd like you to meet Roger. He's Mr. and Mrs.

Cunningham's nephew."

Carmine firmly shook his hand, "Pleasure to meet you." He then signed the guest book.

Lenny and Squiggy tried to come through the front door at the same time and got stuck. When they pushed their way through, Carmine handed the pen to Squiggy to sign the quest book.

"Boy oh boy," Squiggy said. "It's really too bad that I have to make my own reservations for this thing."

Lenny started laughing.

Laverne and Shirley elbowed both of them.

"Ow," Squiggy rubbed his ribs.

Ralph and Potsie escorted them to the back yard and to their seats.

Everyone was in their seats and ready for the ceremony to start. Al and Louisa sat up front as well as Howard and Marion. Only one of the Falcons made it and that was of course, Rocco Baruffi and his wife.

The guys had come downstairs from Fonzie's old apartment and were standing in the living room when Joanie came running downstairs.

"Is Shishuichiu ready?" Richie asked her.

"Yes, she's just waiting for the wedding march." Joanie grabbed a glass of water and hurried back upstairs.

Fonzie was pacing. "How do I look, Cunningham?"

"Like one of those ducks at a shooting gallery." Richie laughed. "No Fonz. Just kidding. You look great."

There was a last minute knock at the door. Richie answered it. There on the porch were Shi's parents. Mrs. Takahashi spoke up, "May we please sit to see wedding?"

"Oh, sure." Richie let them in.

Fonzie bowed deeply to the both of them.

Richie asked Chachi, "A… Chachi, could you show them to the wedding?"

Richie was almost too late. Mr. Takahashi nearly ran Chachi over with his wheel chair. Chachi had to run to keep ahead of him.

When the Takahashi's went outside, Richie turned to Fonzie and shrugged his shoulders. "In-laws."

Fonzie smiled and laughed as he gave Richie a friendly pat on the side of the arm. He turned to his son. "Are you ready for this?"

"Sure."

"You look great in a tux."

"Thanks Dad."

"Cunningham?"

"Let's do it."

Chachi led the way as the guys walked down the isle and lined up next to the podium where Father Delvecchio stood.

Little Beth came down the isle dropping rose peddles. She was followed by Richie Jr. who carried the pillow with the rings.

Then the ladies came out. Beautiful Joanie was followed by Jenny and then Lori Beth (the maid of honor).

The harpist started playing the wedding march. The guests stood.

Arnold showed up at the kitchen doorway with the beautiful Shi in an incredibly beautiful white gown. Arnold proudly walked her down the isle. Her dress was strapless, light on the lace and beautifully made out of silk.

Fonzie's smile could not have been any brighter.

Arnold stopped at the end of the isle.

"Who gives this bride away?" Father Delvecchio asked.

"I do," Arnold responded. He then placed her hand in Fonzie's and then went to take his seat next to Momo.

Fonzie looked into Shi's eyes, "You look incredible."

She smiled.

Father Delvecchio started. "Dearly beloved. This is a wonderful day to be together to join Shishuichiu Takahashi (I've been practicing that name all day) and Arthur 'Fonzie Fonzie Fonzie' Fonzarelli in the bonds of holy matrimony. Marriage is the most sacred of institutions and the most difficult partnerships. At this time, does anyone have any reasons why these two should not be wed?"

Shi's father made another farting sound with his mouth.

Everyone turned to look at him and he smiled back.

Father Delvecchio shook his head. "No-no, that doesn't count." He then

continued. "Arthur, do you take Shishuichiu for your lawful wife according to the rights of the church?"

"I most definitely do."

"Shishuichiu, do you take Arthur for you lawful husband according to the rights of the church?"

She smiled beautifully. "I do."

"Arthur, repeat after me: 'I, Arthur, take you Shishuichiu for my lawful wedded wife…'."

"I, Arthur, take you Shishuichiu for my lawful wedded wife…"

"'…to have and to hold from this day forward…'."

"…to have and to hold from this day forward…"

…After Fonzie and Shi had exchanged their vows, Father Delvecchio turned to Richie Jr. "May I have the rings please?" He blessed the rings. He then addressed the guests. "Shishuichiu and Arthur have prepared something to say to each other."

Shi looked into Fonzie's eyes. "Fonzie, I can't believe that this day has finally come. You are so much more than what I have ever dreamt of what I could find in a man. The dreams we share, we will make reality together."

Fonzie smiled back into those beautiful brown eyes. "Shi, what can I say? You make my life complete. Being a parent, I've learned that a father wears many hats. From this day forward, I plan to be your husband and the best friend you ever had. I love you so much that it will take a lifetime for me to express."

Father Delvecchio gave the rings to them. "Arthur, if you would place the ring on

Shishuichiu's finger and repeat after me: 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"

Fonzie slipped the ring on her finger. "With this ring, I, thee wed-a-mundo."

"Now Shishuichiu, place the ring on Arthur's finger and repeat after me: 'With this ring, I, thee wed.'"

"With this ring, I, thee wed... a-mundo."

"By the authority invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Fonzie reached up and caressed her cheeks with both of his hands and brought his lips to hers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I announce, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fonzarelli!"

Everyone applauded.

The reception was at Arnold's and everyone was having a great time. Shi went to the ladies room to remove the terrain from her dress. Fonzie went over to her parents. "I'm so pleased that you both decided to make the wedding." He handed his father-in-law the soft leather house slippers that he hand-made for him.

His father-in-law carefully accepted them and made another farting sound with his mouth.

"Oh, you don't have to thank me." Fonzie turned away.

Ralph and Potsie where there when Fonzie turned around. "Hey Fonz," Ralph said. "What was that all about?"

"My father-in-law doesn't speak a word of English and I prefer it that way."

The guys laughed.

Richie raised his glass and got everyone's attention. The guests raised their glasses. "As best man at this reception, it's tradition for me to make a toast. It's never easy to talk about my friend Fonzie because there are no words great enough. And his friendship means so much to me, that I don't know where to begin. Everybody who knows Fonzie knows that he always puts a friend first and himself second. Friendship is too weak of a word when it comes to my friend. I love you, Fonz. And Shishuichiu. It is such a pleasure to get to know you. You have brought so much happiness to my friend that I have never seen this man smile so much. I went around and asked the bridal party to describe Shishuichiu in one word. I heard words like: kindhearted, humorous, intelligent, kind, and loving. So with that, I want to welcome you to our one big happy family with just one word that I wish upon you: happiness. To Fonzie and Shishuichiu!"

Everyone drank.

"Oh, and if anyone was wondering," Richie announced, "Shishuichiu passed her board to practice law here in Milwaukee!"

Everyone applauded.

"Now Arnold has prepared a wonderful meal for everybody. If I could have the wedding party, (excluding the bride and groom), report to the kitchen. We will be serving you shortly and while we do, Fonzie and Shishuichiu will share their first dance as husband and wife."

Fonzie took the hand of his wife and walked her over to the juke box. He wrapped on it and a slow song started. "Even in tails and tux, I haven't lost my touch." He held his beautiful bride close as they danced.

Shi put her arms around her husband's neck and nudged several kisses into his lips. "I love you, Mr. Fonzarelli."

"And I love you, Mrs. Fonzarelli."

"Now that I am a Fonzarelli, can you teach me how to start the juke box like that?"

"Well you know it's a gift... but I will definitely try. That reminds me, for your wedding gift, I got you your very own petite-designed, leather jacket."

She laughed and kissed his cheek.

"You think I'm joking, don't you?"

It was such a beautiful wedding and such a fun, warmhearted reception. Fonzie and Shi stayed to dance and mingle with friends for most of the night. Danny hugged his father and his new mother good-bye when they headed out to catch a late flight to Hawaii. Squiggy caught the bouquet and Lenny laughed at him.

Ralph had decided to move his optometrist business to Milwaukee to move his family back where his friends and family were.

Potsie was doing well as an accountant. He did well enough to open his own ice cream parlor that he named Scoop-Idy-Doo-Dah. His wife and kid always got a kick out of it.

Chachi went back on tour. This time he took his wife and baby with him. While on tour in California, Joanie had Lori Beth baby sit one night a week while she spent the night singing with her husband on stage. Their new song "Love Has No Boundaries" was a major hit. In an interview with Rock and Roll Magazine, Chachi was quoted, "Love is such an inspiration. If it wasn't for my wife and son, I wouldn't be where I am today." Financially, Howard Arcola was set for life.

Richie made it big in the film writing industry which allowed him to take family trips back to Milwaukee more often.

Fonzie and Shi had a wonderful honeymoon in Hawaii. When they returned, Fonzie was hired back as the Jefferson High auto shop teacher. His schedule at the high school was only two hours a day, which agreed with his new family life. Danny enjoyed the family life that he never had. He actually wouldn't move out until he had to. It was when he was nineteen that he was accepted into a prestigious college in Chicago. He visited Al and Louisa often and spent many nights eating dinner with them. Nothing beats Al's spaghetti. It didn't take Shi long before she became a very popular defense attorney in high demand the Milwaukee. Shi was doing so well that she could afford to pick and choose her cases to be able to spend maximum time with the husband. Shi and Fonzie began their lives together which brought on many new and wonderful adventures.

~ fin ~