(A/N: Shenzi and Chuckie's time in California Adventure continues. I hope this chapter is enjoyable!)

Forever and Always

Ch. 9

The couple looked at the map for any other rides near their current location. "Hmm," Shenzi debated, "Hey, there are the river rapids! I love those! Oh wait; I picked the last thing we went on."

"It's okay, Shen," He assured her, "We can make an exception. If it's the rapids you want, then the rapids we shall ride next. But let's wait a few minutes for our food to digest first."

"'Kay," She nodded, "But if there's something else you want to..."

"It's fine," He insisted with a hand on her shoulder, "I can wait until after this one; I love the rapids too." She laid on his shoulder, and he held her closer.

After some silence, she spoke up again. "You want your jacket back?"

"I'm good," He shook his head, "You feeling warmer?"

"Uh huh," She nodded, and took it off, "Here," She held it out to him, refusing to take no for an answer.

"Okay, if you insist," He chuckled and put it back on, blushing at the body heat she left in it, "Thanks."

"No prob. I was getting a little warm."

"Ah," He nodded, "I like seeing more of you anyway."

She stifled giggles at that. "You're disgusting," She whispered with a hand to her mouth.

"I know," He chuckled quietly, "Let's head over there." They stood up, and Chuckie led her to the Grizzly River Run, aka the rapids. Once they arrived, they stopped at the back of the line. "Looks like we have around a half hour to kill."

"'Kay," She nodded, and held his hand, "It's a good thing we're going on now; We would've been a little too late if we waited."

"Yeah," He agreed, "It would've been too chilly to get wet." He smiled when she let out a yawn, with her hand rubbing her eyes. "Still tired?"

"Mm hmm," She nodded.

"And um, you still feeling okay?"

"I'm fine," She assured him, "And if you're worried about this ride being too rough, I'll be alright. So will our baby."

"Well, if you're sure," He felt nervous at that, "Just buckle yourself in extra firmly, just to be safe. And I'll sit closely next to you."

"'Kay," She nodded.

"I was going to sit next to you anyway," He chuckled.

"Good to know," She giggled. The half hour flew by quickly, and before long, they were up front.

"Oh um, I couldn't help but notice your pin there," The cast member remarked about Shenzi's baby pin, "You're pregnant?"

"Yes ma'am," She nodded.

"Oh. Well, if you're expecting, then I'm afraid you can't go on this ride." Shenzi furrowed her eyebrows in disappointment. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," She said, "My husband can ride without me."

"You sure?" He asked her. "I can skip it if you want me to."

"No," She shook her head, and laid her hands on his upper arms, "I don't want to hold you back. You go on, and have fun. I'll be watching for you from the walkway, by the bridge."

"Well, alright," He reluctantly agreed, and kissed her lips, "I'll be done momentarily. Here, you can hold these." He gave her his denim jacket, and their backpack.

"Okay, thanks. Have fun," She nodded, holding his jacket in both hands with the backpack slung on her shoulders, and headed for the exit. She walked up the stairs, feeling disappointed, but tried to hide it. She found the area, and watched the gushing waterfall, and the barrel rafts of screaming passengers. She wondered how she was allowed on "Soarin' Around The World" while expecting. Were pregnant women allowed on that ride? But then again, it wasn't rough like this was. She shrugged it off, put her husband's jacket on after setting the backpack on her feet where she could feel it move, and waited patiently for him to ride down.

Down on the dock, Chuckie boarded the next raft, feeling a bit disappointed that his wife was unable to enjoy this ride with him. Although she wasn't going to be pregnant forever, he hoped that she would get another chance. He watched patiently as other guests boarded: A family of 5, plus 2 others. Once everyone was buckled in, the raft started moving freely along the water after passing the track. Chuckie gripped his seat as the family talked among themselves. He wondered if Shenzi found the bridge, and was waiting for him to ride down the waterfall.

On the walkway, Shenzi was still waiting, when a buzz in her husband's jacket pocket startled her, and she took out his phone. She saw "Kimi" on the Caller ID; Hoping he wouldn't mind, she answered the call. "Hello, Kimi?"

"Oh, hi Shenzi," She heard Kimi's voice, "Where's Chuckie?"

"He's on the rapids in California Adventure," Shenzi replied.

"Ohh. How come you're not?"

"Pregnancy restrictions."

"Ah, bummer. What're you doing right now?"

"I'm waiting to see him go down the waterfall."

"Ohh. How come he's riding when you can't?"

"I convinced him to go without me; I don't want to hold him back."

"Ah, got ya."

"So, um, what're you doing right now?"

"I'm designing wedding invitations."

"Ooh, cool! What's the wedding theme?"

"It's Japanese."

"Neat! I can't wait for that!"

"I can't either! I'm going to wait until you and Chuckie are back home to shop for dresses."

"Cool, thanks."

"No prob. Oh, I almost forgot; Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks!"

"Have you guys still been having fun since I last called?"

"Yep. It's the best birthday ever."

"I'm glad! So, you're in California Adventure now?"

"Yeah, we are. We ate at Smokejumper's Grill for dinner before coming here."

"I hope Chuckie's food is digested."

"Me too," Shenzi giggled, "It's uh, it's kind of lonely here without him."

"Aww. I'll stay on the line until he comes back."

"Thanks."

"No problem. So um, what're you doing after this?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll have to look at the map with Chuckie."

"'Kay. You have any souvenirs yet?"

"Yeah, some. We stopped at the Haunted Mansion booth after riding, and the Small World gift shop."

"Cool! Was he nervous in the Haunted Mansion?"

"Yeah, at first; In the stretching room. But after that, he seemed fine."

"That's good. What souvenirs did you get?"

"Umm..."

In the raft, Chuckie was relishing the coolness that the water provided, while wondering what his one and only was doing. "Hey," A teenage boy with dyed purple hair to his right greeted him over the safety recommendations, "You here for a special occasion?"

"Yeah," He nodded, "For my wife's birthday."

"Nice! How old?"

"19. She couldn't ride with me, because she's also pregnant, albeit only a few weeks."

"Ah, bummer, dude."

"Yeah, she was pretty psyched for this ride too. She's on the bridge right now. She didn't want to hold me back, so she convinced me to ride without her." He felt awkward when the boy stared at him. "Something wrong?"

"Sorry; I just feel like I've seen you somewhere before."

"Hmm, what's your name?"

"I'm Nicholas Tom." Chuckie thought about that, when he finally recognized him. He was Lil's partner in the science fair! "Oh, oh yeah! We have met! We went to the same middle school!"

"You're Chuckie Finster, right?"

"Yeah," He nodded.

"Is your wife Lil?"

"No," He shook his head, "It's Shenzi Tuck. I'm not sure if you've met her."

"I'm pretty sure I dated her while you guys were taking a break."

"O-oh. She never mentio- ah!"

"We're goin' up!" Nicholas exclaimed with excitement. "Anyway, what were you saying?"

"Shenzi never mentioned going on a date with you."

"Oh, really?"

"Nope. Although sometimes, her memory isn't the greatest."

"Yeah, but she's a great girl. You're a lucky dude."

"Thanks. We got married only a couple months ago."

"Oh, congratulations!"

"Thanks. A bit before that, I started planning this birthday trip for her." Chuckie gripped his seat after the raft was floating freely again. "Normally, I can't keep a secret, but- oh!" He was surprised by the small drop, then stared in awe at the colorfully-lighted cave walls. He wished he had his phone with him; He had given it to Shenzi, so it wouldn't get ruined by water. The raft was then back outside on the gushing river.

"Pretty sweet, huh?!" Nicholas exclaimed over the rumbling and splashing.

"Yeah!" Chuckie replied.

"I got matching shirts for me and Chuckie, a plush set for our baby, a costume headband, a dress, an apron, and a tank top from the Haunted Mansion, and a Cheshire Cat pillow pet from It's a Small World," Shenzi listed off.

"Wow, that's a lot!" Kimi remarked. "You'll have to show me all of that stuff, and anything else you get when you come back!"

"I'll be sure to do just that."

"Thanks; Can't wait!"

"No problem. Want me to bring something back for you?"

"Oh, you don't have to. It's your birthday."

"I insist."

"Well, it's your choice, but if you do decide to get me something from your trip, then surprise me."

"I will."

Chuckie managed to relax as the raft floated along the river, with logs lined up to keep it from floating off course. "I was pretty excited for this ride," Nicholas remarked, "I love thrill rides like this."

"Ah," Chuckie nodded, "What's your next plan after this?"

"Not sure," He shrugged, "I am looking to ride California Screamin', that sick roller coaster at Paradise Pier."

"Sounds fun," Chuckie remarked, "I'm not a big roller coasters guy. I hope to ride the Ferris Wheel with Shenzi, in the same area."

"I hope you don't go in a swinging car, man. It wouldn't be good for Shenzi's condition."

"Thanks, we don't plan to, anyway. It'll be a bit of a romantic getaway, considering we'll be all alone... I hope."

"Ah," Nicholas chuckled, "Gonna get it on?"

"No," Chuckie laughed, "Don't say stuff like that here, Nick. There are kids he-whoa!"

"Woooo!" The passengers yelled when the raft fell down a drop, and Chuckie felt a splash on top of his head, before they entered a cave with lanterns in the walls. After the raft was outside again, they were sailing smoothly. Chuckie flinched at the sudden scream of adrenaline from elsewhere on the ride, and gripped his seat when the raft was spinning.

"Those lanterns look pretty, don't they?" Nicholas remarked.

"Yeah," Chuckie nodded, "It's too bad Shenzi had to miss out. Although I prefer the baby staying safe."

"Got you there, man. Having a child is worth missing out on one ride that you'll be able to experience other times after."

"Yep," He nodded again, "Although I wish I had my phone with me, to take pictures for her. I gave it to her, so it wouldn't get wet."

"I made this pouch for mine," Nicholas held up a vertically-zip-front pouch that was the size of the current iPhone on his lanyard, "It can protect it from anything." He snapped pictures of the lights, then quickly put his phone back in the pouch. "I'll send those to you."

"Thanks. I'd appreciate tha-Aaaahhh!" They went sliding down a bigger drop, getting splashed once again. Chuckie's hair was now almost soaked. When he caught a glimpse of his wife, he shot his waving hand up. "Hey, Shen!"

"Hi!" She waved back, after getting splashed a little bit.

Once they were sailing smoothly again, Nicholas turned to the redhead. "That was Shenzi, huh? She's looking great."

"Yep," He nodded, "She's not exactly showing yet, but she still has occasional sickness from expecting."

"Ah. What're your plans after this?"

"I dunno," Chuckie shrugged, "Shen and I have to look at the map. Since she picked this ride, but couldn't go on it, I'm going to let her pick the next one."

"Good idea, dude."

Before long, they were back at the station. They fell forward when their raft collided with another one, then were in the track at the dock. After being granted permission, the passengers disembarked, and walked up the staircase. "Alright, let's go find your wife."

"Yeah." On the way over, they exchanged numbers with one another.

"You saw Chuckie?" Kimi asked Shenzi.

"Yep," She replied, "He seemed to be having a fun time."

"That's good. I'm sorry you couldn't ride too."

"It's okay. There are other times."

"That is true. Have you guys stopped at the World of Disney yet?"

"You mean the huge store in the downtown district? No, not yet. We plan on stopping there after we're done at the parks."

"Sounds like a plan."

"We'll need to use a map for that store alone, though," The birthday girl giggled.

"That'd be a good idea," Kimi agreed, "It's almost the size of the Big Mall's first level!"

"Yep," She nodded, and initially didn't notice her husband standing to her right, "It's going to be awesome, tho... Chuckie!" She jumped on him in an embrace, not caring that he was wet. "How was the ride?"

"It was great," He replied, his hair still dripping, "I can't wait 'til you're able to ride it. Who called my phone?"

"Kimi did," She gave his phone to him, "She's still on the line."

"Thanks," He held the phone to his ear, still holding his wife close, "Hey, Kimi!"

"Hi, Chuck! How were the rapids?"

"They were fun; Pretty refreshing. It's still pretty hot out."

"Ah. Well, I'm designing wedding invitations right now."

"Nice," He nodded, "What's the theme?"

"Japanese."

"Of course it is," He chuckled.

"Haha, funny. I'm gonna let you guys continue on with your day."

"Alright. Love you, sis."

"I love you too, bro."

"Bye."

"Bye."

He then hung up, and turned to Shenzi. "I ran into Nicholas Tom on the rapids."

"Nicholas? Wow!" She turned, and saw him. "Hi, Nicholas!"

"Hey Shenzi," He walked up to them, "Congrats on your baby, and happy birthday."

"Thanks! What brings you here?"

"Ah, just a regular run-of-mill day. Takin' a solo vacation."

"Oh," She nodded, "How were the rapids for you?"

"They were epic! It's too bad you can't ride them yet."

"Well, I won't be pregnant forever," She shrugged, "But thanks."

"Hey, Shen?" She looked up at her husband. "Um, Nicholas told me that while we were on our break, you went on a date with him, but you forgot to bring up his name."

"Ohh!" She lightly facepalmed. "Man, I have a bad memory! I'm sorry, Chuckie!"

"It's okay, Shen. I know you don't exactly have an eidetic memory. Don't worry about it." He kissed her forehead.

"Well, I'll leave you guys to have the rest of your day," Nicholas started walking away, "Have a good birthday, Shenz'!"

"Thanks, Nick!" She waved to him. "Have fun on your solo vacation!"

"Bye!" Chuckie waved to him, then turned to his wife. "So Shen, since you couldn't ride this after picking it out, you can choose our next destination."

"Thanks," She smiled, and gave him his jacket back after taking the map out of the pocket. "Hmm... ooh! There's the Little Mermaid! That should be gentle enough for me!"

"Alrighty then," He nodded, "To the sea we go. Lead the way." As she walked to their destination, he wrung as much water from his hair as he could. Feeling sneaky, he quickly wrung some water on her head.

"Hey!" She laughed in surprise. "That's cold!"

"Good," He chuckled, "Did you get splashed while I was riding?"

"Yeah, a few times," She nodded, "It felt pretty nice. Although... it was kind of lonely without you there with me, until Kimi called."

"Aww," He held her by her shoulders again, "Well, your big ol' hubby is back."

"Pfft," She snorted with a giggle, "Big."

"Hey, I may not be buff, but I'm a whole head taller than you," He chuckled.

"I know," She laughed, "I was kidding. I'm glad you and Nicholas had fun, though."

"Thanks. But I know I'll have more fun when I ride with you."

She leaned up, and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Chuckie."

"My pleasure, Shen."

"We're here!" She folded the map, and gave it back to him, before they encountered two cast members; One man, one woman. "Ooh, I love your outfits! Can I take your picture?" Her husband chuckled as she took out her phone.

"Sure!" The woman agreed, and posed with the man.

"1, 2, 3!" Shenzi snapped a clear picture. "Thanks!" She then arrived at the back of the line with Chuckie.

"Wow, only 9 minutes," He remarked. "Yep!" Shenzi nodded. "And at least it's all in the shade." "Yeah," He agreed, "It's still pretty warm out, but it's nice and cool in here." The 9 minutes flew by quickly, so the couple boarded a green clam shell car, lowering the handlebar.

(A/N: Well, there's chapter 9, and part 8 of Shenzi's birthday! You know the disclaimer. Nicholas is from the AGU episode "The Science Pair." When I read that pregnant women couldn't ride the Grizzly River Run, I improvised. And I didn't realize they couldn't go on Soarin' Around The World either, until after I wrote that part. Oh well; She's alright. XD)