It was a beautiful night at Inspiration Point. It was Rema's 25th birthday and the sky was filled with stars and a soft breeze whirled around as Fonzie and Rema sat together on his motorcycle. The two stared into space for several minutes just taking in the amazing surroundings.
"Isn't this amazing?" Rema asked, her breath taken away by the sights of the night, plus being with the one she loved.
Fonzie mumbled, "Yeah it sure is," before letting out a nervous sigh. He knew what he wanted to do, but didn't know where to start. "Ay, uh, Rema, get off the bike for a second. I wanna tell ya something." he said, taking her hand to help her off, "Come here."
"What's wrong babe?" she asked, after she noticed his hands sweating profusely in hers. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, sweetheart, everything's fine. Listen..." he paused to gulp out of nervousness. "Where do I start? First off, I gotta say I've had the best time of my life since we started out, ya know?"
"Yes I know, it has been amazing hasn't it?" she interrupted, trying to calm him down a bit.
"Well, that's what I wanted to say. Uh, how do I say this? Rema, out of the hundreds of girls I've been with, I've only been in love six times in my entire life."
"Really, six times?" she asked, surprised and slightly unsure of where he was going, "And who were they?"
"Well, first Pinky, but that was pretty short lived, then that girl Maureen, then Adrianna, turns out she was married, then Allison, then Ashley. Now, before I go on, I just want to say, I realized here tonight, right now, that they were all just infatuation, ya know?" he paused after his voice began to choke up.
Rema tightened her grip on his hand, even though she had noticed he only said five names out of six, "It's okay, baby, who was the sixth? You only mentioned five girls."
"Yeah, I'm getting to it, this is hard for me to say. The sixth one was the one true love, she's brought out something in me that I never thought I had."
Rema stood trying not to tear up at what she was hearing, "Baby, who is it, please?"
Fonz took her hand once again, gazing straight into her glistening eyes, and said in a tone he had never used on anyone before, "Honey, it's you."
Rema's heart skipped a beat, as did his, as he realized he had only called one girl "honey" before: his last love, Ashley. That moment, he got down on one knee, hands trembling, as Rema's face turned into a full fledged cry. He kissed her hand before continuing.
"Sweetheart, I love you with everything I've got, and it would make me the happiest man ever..." he paused, emphasizing the word "ever" in his signature accent, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box, "If you would become Mrs. Fonzarelli, so..." he paused again, to open the box, revealing a bright pink heart diamond encased in shiny yellow gold, "Rema Guinevere Relgar, will you marry me?"
By now, Rema was crying so hard that she couldn't speak. She squeezed his hand and shook her head yes as he stood up and put the ring on her finger. They embraced for the longest time and she cried happily into his shoulder as he held her close. He looked onward at the dark sky, and did a thumbs up with one hand as he continued to hold her.
The next day
Howard and Marion Cunningham sat contently at their dining room table, eating breakfast and reflecting on things that had happened in the last few years.
Both children had moved out, married and built lives and families of their own. They were so proud, but both beginning to feel empty nest syndrome.
"You know, Howard," Marion said, "It just isn't the way it used to be around here when Richard and Joanie were still children living here, something is missing."
"Tell me about it, Marion," Howard replied, "But every parent goes through this. We have to move on, they have."
"I know," she continued, "I just wish something would happen to change things around here!"
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Fonzie came walking in, hand in hand with his fiancee. Marion rushed up to greet them both.
"Arthur! Rema!" she exclaimed, hugging them both, "It is wonderful to see you!"
"You too, Mrs. Cunningham." Rema politely said. She had only met them once before, so she wasn't quite on the same "C" basis that Fonzie had been for some years.
"So, Fonzie," Howard began, "What brings you here? We haven't seen you since you first introduced us to Rema."
"Yeah I know," Fonzie said, "Sorry about that. I would have visited more, but I've been busy, you know?" He turned and gazed at his fiancee, smiling.
"We understand, Arthur, that's what being in love is all about." Marion cooed at him.
"Anyway, Mr. and Mrs. C.," Fonz proudly began, "I came here because I have an announcement to make. This may come as a surprise because nobody ever expected this of me, but..." He took Rema by the hand, lifting it up to show off the ring he had given her the night before, "I'm getting married!"
Marion jumped up and hugged Fonzie, "Oh, Arthur!" she screamed in joy, "Congratulations!"
"Thanks," Fonzie replied, "We still don't have a date set yet, but Rema and I wanted to invite you to the wedding personally."
Marion looked at her husband, almost gushing as if to send a silent "Isn't that sweet?", before looking back at the newly engaged couple, "We would love to be there!"
With that, Marion immediately stood up excitedly and rushed to the phone to call Richie.
"Hold it, Marion, isn't Richard working right now?" Howard asked, amongst the excitement.
"I don't know, but I just can't stand to keep this from him!" she gushed, almost jumping off the floor.
Howard intervened, "Shouldn't we let Fonzie tell him the news himself?"
Marion thought for a moment, then said, "That sounds like an idea, Howard, but let me get him on the phone at least."
Suddenly, a familiar voice on the other end said, "Hello, Cunningham residence."
Marion squealed, "Richard! I'm so glad you're home! We have just received some wonderful news, but, well, I'd better let Arthur tell you!"
Richie went silent on the other end, trying to remember for a moment who "Arthur" was, it had been so long since he heard his mother call his best friend that.
"Arthur...Oh, you mean Fonzie! Is he there? Put him on!" Richie said excitedly, sensing the commotion over there just by his mother's voice alone.
Fonzie took the phone, "Ay, Red! How've you been? Have the kiddos been keeping it cool?"
Richie laughed, "Yeah, they're doing great, so is Lori-Beth, but what's this big news? Mom sounded excited and didn't want to tell me!"
"Yeah, Red, something great happened last night! You remember that girl I told you about, Rema?"
"Yeah, I remember her," Richie said, "You didn't just tell me about her, Fonz, we met at the high school reunion at Arnold's back in January, remember?"
"I guess I did, Rich. Sorry, I'm just excited, ya know?" Fonzie said, "Now listen up, remember that time at Arnold's years ago when I said there'd be a special event you and the guys would be invited to?"
"You mean..." Richie paused to think for a moment, it had been so long, "That time you turned off the jukebox and..."
He didn't even have to finish, "Yeah, that! Well, it's for sure this time, Rich! I'm getting married, and I want you to be Best Man!"
Richie spoke up again, "That's great, Fonz!" he said excitedly, "I'd love to be your Best Man! When's the wedding?
Fonzie replied, "We haven't set a date yet, Rich, but we'll be sure to let you know as soon as we do!"
Suddenly, the door opened on the other end of the line, and Richie said, "Thanks, Fonz. I need to go, Lori-Beth just got home from shopping. Be sure and tell Mom and Dad I miss them! I'll talk to you soon!"
He hung up, and Fonzie put the phone back down, walking back over to the others.
"Sorry about that," he said, sitting back down next to his fiancee, "Boy, this wedding planning is exciting already!"
Rema giggled as she took his hand in hers and leaned into him contently, "I know, I never thought it would be this much work!"
Howard interjected, "It is a lot of work planning a wedding, but in the end it always seems worth it, especially after you've been married for years and think of everything you'd accomplish."
"I know," Rema gushed, affectionately sliding her hand through Fonzie's arm, "I know I sure can't wait to build our lives together." She leaned over and kissed the side of his forehead, and he beamed while blushing.
Marion could not contain her own smile at the sight of the obvious mutual affection the two shared, and Howard spoke up again, "If you two ever need any help with the planning, we'll be glad to help you out."
Fonzie spoke up again, "Thanks, Mr. C. We really appreciate all your support."
Suddenly, Rema jumped up, "Oh, goodness, look at the time! I'm supposed to be at a gig in a half hour! I'll see you guys real soon!"
Howard and Marion nodded as Fonzie stood up as well to walk her out, "I'll catch up with you at the gig near the encore, right?"
"Sure thing, honey," Rema folded her arms around his neck and went in for a hug, lightly kissing him on the cheek on the way in, "I love you!"
"I love you too, button nose!" he said smittenly, blushing fiercely at her kiss once more.
They said their goodbyes and headed off.
The gig announcement
The Blueberries were nearing the end of their last set for the week, and suddenly, Fonzie walked in to catch the last song and Rema affectionately waved at him. Gwen, Tamara and Blair noticed that, and giggled.
"Everyone," Rema spoke up, "I have a very special announcement to make, so I'd like to dedicate this next number to the man who just walked in here!"
Fonzie again blushed as the girls began singing "Chapel of Love", and the small crowd applauded. After the song ended, the girls spoke to Rema.
Blair began, "So Rema, was that last song supposed to be some sort of hint?" she said, again nudging Rema's arm, wanting details.
Gwen sneered, "Yeah, I think I know what she was trying to say!" before humming "Here Comes The Bride" and laughing.
Rema shot Gwen her usual angry glare, and Fonzie approached her side and took her hand. Rema then spoke up, beaming, "You girls heard right. We are getting married!"
Just then, Blair, Gwen and Tamara all attempted to hug Rema at once, and she laughed and told them, "Easy now, one at a time!"
Blair hugged her while jumping up and down, "I knew this was going to happen from the start!" she squealed, "Congratulations, girl!"
Gwen was next, "Congratulations, Mrs. Fonzarelli!" she teased, then got serious, saying with sincerity, "I know I've kidded with you a lot since day one, but I'm really happy for you, Rema! And you're right, he is adorable!"
Tamara was last, saying, "I can't get over it, Rema! The same girl I knew who had a big thing for all the teen idols in high school is actually getting married!"
After the gig, the Blueberries returned home and the couple departed to look at wedding outfits, as they had planned to just before the gig began.