Rema anxiously stood in the bedroom of the Cunningham house in her long, white, lacy dress, staring into a mirror in disbelief that she was actually about to marry the love of her life, and Joanie Arcola stood beside her admiring the dress, beaming as she recalled her own wedding day some years before.
"You look amazing, Rema!" Joanie said, "Fonzie is going to faint when he sees you!"
"You really think so, Joanie?" Rema asked.
"Oh, yes!" Joanie exclaimed.
Rema grinned, "I just cannot believe I'm getting married today!"
Joanie nodded, "And to the coolest guy ever! Hey, you know what this means, Rema? You and I are going to be cousins!"
"Oh, that's right!" Rema exclaimed, "Chachi is Fonzie's cousin, isn't he? How awesome is that?"
"Sure is, Rema!" Joanie sincerely said, hugging her, "Congratulations, girl, Fonzie's a real keeper, and thanks for choosing me as Maid of Honor!"
"Hey, any time, Shortcake." Rema hugged Joanie back and she laughed at the familiar nickname, which Fonzie had also used for many years, "No matter what, we'll always be family too, I want you to know that."
"Thanks a lot, Rema, the same goes for you," Joanie said, smiling at her cousin-to-be, "Go get him, girl!"
Meanwhile...
Fonzie paced the Cunninghams' living room, more nervous than he had ever been, not because he was unsure if he wanted to go through with the wedding, but because he wanted to be everything he knew his bride deserved.
"What am I going to do, Rich?" he said as he let out an anxious breath, "I'm getting married in less than an hour, what if I mess up?"
Richie shook his head, "Now, why do you think you'd mess up? There's nothing to be nervous about, Fonz, you've found the one you want to be with."
"I know that, that's not what I'm nervous about, what if I'm not everything Rema deserves? I would have let down the one woman that means more to me than any chick in the entire world, and let me tell ya something, that's a lot of chicks, Rich!"
Richie folded his arms, "Look, Fonz, if Rema had any doubts about you, you guys wouldn't have lasted this long in the first place! I mean, come on, you tried to use your snap on her and she said you didn't have to do that to impress her! What does that tell you?"
Fonzie grinned a little, "Yeah, that's never happened with any other."
"See?" Richie said, "You two are meant to be, and listen, in all the years I've known you, I've never seen you so in love with any other girl."
"I haven't been..." Fonz blushed, "How's my hair look?" he quickly added.
Richie laughed, realizing his best friend was not himself at all, "It's fine, Fonz, Rema would still marry you even if you hadn't combed for a month! She doesn't love you because you're cool, Fonz, she loves you because you're you."
Fonzie smiled bigger than he ever had in his life, "Yeah, I know, let's do this!" he said confidently.
The Wedding
All of the guests, which included Potsie, Ralph, Chachi, Pinky and Leather Tuscadero, Laverne De Fazio and Shirley Feeney, Al Delvecchio and, of course, Howard and Marion Cunningham, among seemingly endless others, looked onward as Fonzie stood at the altar, waiting for his bride to enter.
Suddenly the chilling sound of the bridal song chimed out, and Rema slowly entered, walking step by step to the altar. Fonzie's lip visibly quivered as he watched the woman he loved and adored inch closer and closer, it felt like a dream.
The guests all beamed with excitement as Fonzie and Rema finally stood face to face at the altar, looking at one another hand in hand. They looked so in love that everyone seemed to feel it.
"Oh, Howard," Marion gushed, "Don't they just look precious?"
"Yes, they do, Marion," he replied, "Just think, all those years with a different girl every week or so, and Fonzie's finally found the one he loves."
"I know, isn't it wonderful?" she replied.
Suddenly the minister, Father Anthony Delvecchio, spoke up, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli and Rema Guinevere Relgar in Holy Matrimony. They have chosen to recite their own vows."
Fonzie began his vow, "Rema Relgar, as I look at you this moment in front of all our family and friends, you become more beautiful every time I see you, inside and out. I spent years searching for the one, and I made the mistake so many times of relying on my office wall for that, when you were always out there somewhere. I don't know how I didn't find you sooner, but we're here now, and I love you more than I've ever loved anyone else. When we first met, you read my thoughts to the point where I didn't need to snap." Rema laughed a little and nodded as he continued, "You made me forget there are other chicks out there! I never dreamed I would find someone like you." he paused to try to compose himself as he began to choke up, and Rema gushed as he continued. "It feels like a dream sometimes, and I just know that, uh, if this is a dream, then I..." he paused again to sniff before barely squeaking out, "I don't wanna wake up!" With that, he moved one hand to cover his eyes and burst into tears, much to the surprise of the onlookers, who all gasped in shock, including Richie.
Rema squeezed and kissed his hand lovingly, mouthing "It's okay," in an attempt to calm him down before she began her vows, "Arthur Fonzarelli, I have waited for this day longer than you have. I was never sure this day would come. I've been in and out of one bad relationship after another, and I didn't think I would ever fall in love again, then I met you. I often wonder how it is I got so lucky to have met someone who can read my thoughts so well. I fell so in love with the person you are, and I will continue to love you no matter what life throws at us. For better or worse, for cool or uncool, you will always be my heart's keeper." she concluded, gently wiping his eyes with her veil.
Father Delvecchio continued, "And now, Arthur and Rema will exchange rings. Richie, the rings please?"
Richie handed the rings to Father Delvecchio and he muttered a quiet prayer before continuing, "Do you, Arthur, take this woman, Rema, to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, til death do you part?"
Fonzie huffed back a cry before choking out, "I do." and eased the ring onto Rema's finger.
"And do you, Rema, take this man, Arthur, to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, til death do you part?"
Rema replied, "And for cool or uncool, I do!"
"Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"
The entire crowd erupted into applause as the couple kissed, and Father Delvecchio concluded, "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Fonzarelli!"
Hearing that, Fonzie fell into Rema's arms and began crying hysterically. Rema tried to comfort him as she felt herself breaking down as well.
"Oh, come on, baby," she squeaked out, "You're making me cry too!"
"I know, I know," he choked out in the same voice as he had some years before, "I just can't believe it, I'm a married man! And not just to any chick, but to you, the woman I've waited for my whole life! Sweetheart, please tell me I'm not dreaming," he cried into her shoulder, "I need to know this is real."
"Sshhh, don't worry, my love," she whispered, rubbing his back, "It is very real, I'm yours forever now."
He melted into her, unable to say another word. She closed her eyes and held on to him tighter, pressing her hand to the back of his head and cherishing her first time comforting him. Her own tears began to spill out involuntarily and she quietly whispered, "Cry it all out, honey, I'm here for you." He continued to cry for a few more minutes, as did she, although more quietly than he was, before they both calmed down and everyone headed to the reception.
The Reception
After cutting the cake, guests took turns congratulating the newlyweds. The Cunninghams were, of course, the first ones to do so.
"Oh, Arthur," Marion said, "We are so happy for you and Rema." she kissed him and he grinned and blushed intensely. Rema giggled and snuggled against her new husband in response, she adored that blush.
"Thanks so much, Mrs. C.," Fonzie replied, "And thank you for letting me have the wedding here, it means a lot, you're the family I never had."
"You know we feel the same, Fonzie," Howard said, patting his shoulder, "We'll always be here for you and Rema, no matter what."
"Thanks," it was Rema's turn to speak, "I know I haven't known you guys that long, but I feel as though I have, he talks about you a lot."
"Well, I did live with them for years," he said, beaming, "Best family I could have ever asked for."
Next to congratulate them was Pinky Tuscadero, Fonzie's first real girlfriend. She melted at the sight of the couple.
"Gosh, Fonz, " Pinky exhaled, "I never thought I'd live to see THIS day, let alone be here. Congratulations, Pretty Eyes."
"Thanks, Pinky," Fonzie said, hugging his longtime friend, "I'm happy to have you here, not many exes would be so comfortable at a wedding like this."
"Well Fonz, I'm not just your ex-girlfriend, I'm a friend for life. I'm so happy you've found someone you truly love."
After many more congratulations were exchanged, Richie proposed a toast.
"Everyone!" he began, "Where to begin? I've known Fonzie for fourteen years, and as much fun as we've had in that time, I have to say I have never seen my best friend happier than this day. It's unbelievable even to me that he has finally found the one he wants to spend his life with. Nobody ever thought that would ever happen, and it has! We've seen it all in all these years and I couldn't be more grateful that he chose me to be Best Man today. Fonz, I wish you and Rema the best of luck in life together and hope you are as happy as Lori-Beth and I have been, through good times and bad. If you ever need anything, I'll always be a phone call away. To Fonzie and Rema!"
Everyone raised their glasses, and then, in unison, everyone gave a thumbs up and said "Aaaaayy!" as he would. Fonzie blushed immensely at this, and said "Thanks, Rich, you're the greatest best friend I ever had."
A little while later, everyone went to the dance floor, and Potsie, Richie and Ralph, now calling themselves "Potsie and the Redheads", were onstage, ready to sing. Before the bride and groom had their first dance, Potsie spoke up.
"Before I start, I'd like to dedicate this first number to the newlyweds at the request of the best man, Richie."
The music started, and both Fonzie and Rema's eyes widened as Potsie began singing "I Love How You Love Me".
As the couple turned, Fonz looked at Richie and gave a thumbs up as if to say "Thanks," and to show off his ring, then went back to contently embracing his new bride, his heart bursting with more love than he had ever felt for any girl. When the song ended, they both whispered at the same time, "I love how you love me."
After the first dance, the newlyweds continued to dance to many of their favorite numbers, and Potsie made another announcement before the next song.
"Everyone!" he began, "Myself, Richie and Ralph would like to attempt to sing this next one together for the bride. Rema, this one is for you and you alone! Sing it, guys!"
A split second later, Rema's eyes widened as Richie and Ralph began the familiar vocal introduction of her favorite song, Dion and the Belmonts' "Teenager In Love".
Rema refused to let go of her husband as she smittenly giggled throughout the entire song. Aside from Fonzie, Dion had been the first to make her heart flutter.
Knowing this, Fonzie shot the guys a playful dirty look and mouthed "Really, Weber? My wife's teenage crush!?" before shaking his head and continuing to embrace his wife.
After finishing that song, Potsie made a special announcement, "The next number I'm going to do is a special dedication to Rema from Fonzie himself, but before I do, Rema, he would like to tell you something personally. Fonz, come up here!"
Fonzie let go of his wife and quickly kissed her before walking on stage, and Potsie handed him the mic.
"Alright, now listen up!" Fonzie said in his cool announcing voice, "Rema, I had this song in mind for this very day since the moment we met and, uh, you'll see why I chose it in a minute, but I wanna say that, uh..." he stopped briefly, starting to choke up again, but composed himself and continued, "I don't think I could possibly explain how I've felt about you in the entire time I've known you. Even the vows didn't say enough. so, um, I'm just going to let the song speak for itself. Potsie, get over here and sing, will ya?"
Fonz stepped back down and walked back into his wife's arms, and the music began, and Rema's mouth dropped as Potsie began singing Ricky Nelson's "Never Be Anyone Else But You". Rema teared up when he reached the line "If I could take my pick of all the girls I've ever known, then I'd come and pick you out to be my very own."
Fonzie embraced his wife as she cried with joy and gratitude, and whispered to her, "That line is the truth, ya know."
"I know it is," Rema let out a cry, "That's why I'm crying. I know you had your choice of girls before and you chose me!"
"I know," he whispered, "And you're the only one I'll ever love for the rest of my days. I can promise you that."
"I love you too, Fonz," Rema whispered sincerely, "I have since the minute I saw you."
He twirled her around as they continued to dance and replied, "Honey, call me Arthur. You're my wife, so you can."
Rema didn't say anything, she simply hugged and kissed him again as the song finished.
After that number, Potsie spoke up again, "For our final number, I'm going to turn the mic over to the best man! It's all yours, Rich!" he said, handing the mic to Richie.
"I want everyone in here to sing along with this one. Okay guys, play it!" he said before the music started. Everyone broke into laughter as Richie began singing "Blueberry Hill".
Before long, everyone was singing along to it, and after the song ended, the couple said their goodbyes to the guests before leaving for their honeymoon. Everyone watched as Fonzie and Rema rode off together with a sign on the back of his motorcycle reading "For Cool or Uncool" with their initials in a heart.