Scratched Record-

Disclaimer- I do not own the storybook or movie, A Clockwork Orange or its characters. I also don't owe the play Hamlet, or it's characters and quotes.

Plot Summary- Alex fancies a girl who works at the record shop he goes to. However, the girl well pretty and music literate, is too pure and trusting. Will Alex take advantage of the young lady? Or will she be an exception to everything he has always stood for?

Chapter 14: Certifiable.

"Something troubling ye, sister?"

The moonlight reflected down the path they had walked so many times before. Ophelia when she use to walk home from work; Alex when he use to travel out with the gangs. It happened to be their way home from his parents place.

"Nothing," Ophelia lied, gently squeezing Alex's arm. "Just thinking…if we move from the city, we'll have to get a car. We hadn't the money for it."

"So we'll find it." Alex shrugged, knowing full well the move and a mode of transportation was the last thing on her mind. It was always there but until now, it hadn't been a real problem. Something else was bugging the young woman. "Plenty of cutter to obtained! As assured, you're Uncle Alex can handle it…But he can't take care of what his Oppie-feelie-ah will govoreet to him."

Ophelia, feeling tired, leaned against the building. Alex stopped and crossed his arms, willing her to speak her mind. "We're doing it all wrong. Normal people get married, move into a house and then have children. We're not even in the house and… not even married."

He raised an eyebrow. Marriage? Interesting idea. Alex supposed in the usual context, they were breaking the usual standards—fitting, they were far from usual people.

It would be no white wedding. It would be no grand wedding either. They had no real friends other than Pete and Georgina, and with all the other things they needed, they wouldn't be able to afford a big celebration.

Yet he could understand her desire for a promise. After all, much like him, everyone had left her on her own at some point in her short life. There was a fear that he would do the same. Perhaps they'd always be that fear; even if he wouldn't think of it.

He was too deep now. He had fallen in love with her and now that they had a child coming; they'd always have a certain amount of love for one another.

"Well, then…I viddy it will be the easiest thing we'll itty." Alex said with a smirk. Ophelia narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Let's get married; tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? But…" Ophelia was smiling despite the question. Alex simply waved it off.

"What droogs do we have to proclaim our love in front of?" Alex took her hand into his. Ophelia leaned her body into his and held him close with her free hand. "You're all I have Ophelia… And you're all I ever want." He continued, dropping the nadsat for a moment. Sometimes he felt himself losing it as if it faded to his natural voice. He couldn't help but wonder if eventually it would be gone all together.

Ophelia, feeling so happy she could melt, reached up to kiss his lips.

"Tomorrow it is then…"

()

When Ophelia got up the next morning, Alex was nowhere in sight. Odd considering they had agreed to get married early in the morning. "Alex?"

She noticed a pile of clothing sitting on the dresser with a note attached. The note explained that he had taken liberty of buying her a new dress seeing as how most of her wouldn't fit. It also went on to say that Pete would be picking her up at around eleven and instructed her to be ready.

Ophelia was shocked; it was rather romantic of him. She picked up the dress and shook it out. Of course it was white, the actual dress itself being short and rather plain looking, but with it came an overcoat with star-shaped buttons and lace ascot. It was more conservative than he usually preferred her to dress; but the thought itself was over-whelming enough to drive her to tears.

The bride to be showered, dressed herself, applied make-up, and tried to do something nice with her hair. By the time a buzzer rang, signaling that someone was ringing the bell to their apartment, she had given up and simply styled her hair away from her face.

Pete was waiting in front of the building when Ophelia. He smiled and handed her a bouquet of white roses. "Alex wanted me to give you these. Are you ready?"

Ophelia nodded and Pete escorted her to his car. "How's Georgina and the baby?"

"Just took them home before coming here. Don't want them to be alone for too long so I'm afraid I won't be staying to see you and Alex married."

"That's alright, I'm grateful you even took the time to do this." Once they were the seats, Pete drove off. Ophelia felt her stomach kern with nervousness. Or perhaps the baby was just excited that soon his or her parents would united in holy matrimony. She was amused by the idea that a fetus could even get excited. "I never did thank you for all you've done for me, Pete. I don't know if I ever could."

Pete shook his head. "Nothing of it. You see, although we've had our rough patches and years apart, I sort of see Alex like a real brother. I can tell you make him happy; more than that, you make him….sane. At peace even. Society owes you thanks, for you've done what we all thought was impossible; you've made Alex De Large into a good person."

Ophelia smiled; her hands clutching onto the bouquet. It was funny to hear Pete say it because Alex did the same for her in a way. They shared a unique bond because they were entering human society together, and more importantly, they kept each sane. Alex kept Ophelia from becoming a numb little creature, and she kept him from becoming the destructive, unfeeling, monster he was before.

"I just realized Pete…Since you and Alex were 'droogs', you use to speak nadsat, didn't you?"

"Right I did, what of it?"

Ophelia use to love the language so much before the incident. Hearing Alex speak it was like hearing poetry read out loud. After everything occurred, the language lost a lot of its beauty, but Alex's constant use of it had ended that one particular fear. Now she wondered if it was the language she loved so much, or if it was the man speaking of it. "Could you speak a little of it? I'm…curious to what it was like."

Pete tilted his head to think for a moment, before finally deciding on a phrase. "My dear droog Alex, make him a horrorshow of a zheena, eh sister?" Ophelia laughed just as he stopped the car. Pete's voice reflected the language well but Alex defiantly put a pleasing spin on it. "Want me to walk with you inside?"

"No, I'll be fine. You should go home to George and Georgina." Ophelia opened the door and stepped out of the car. She gave Pete a grateful smile. "Thank you again; for everything."

"Not a problem…Good luck and… may this bring you both unending happiness."

With a final thanks, Ophelia closed the door and turned back to the courthouse. She walked up the steps, holding the bouquet as if she was about to go down the aisle. When she entered inside, Ophelia was concerned when she didn't see Alex. She wasn't sure where to go or what was expected of her.

A familiar voice scared the nervousness away. "Little Ophelia? I'm not mistaken, am I? It is you, yes?"

Ophelia turned suddenly. P.R. Deltoid was looking down upon her, as if she was still a young child.

She recall various times in her life when her father was accused of one thing or another, they would send a social worker out to question her or simply make sure Ophelia grew up to be a well-adjusted child. P.R. Deltoid became that social worker shortly after her thirteenth birthday. She hadn't seen him though since her father's death.

"Terrible, terrible thing to happen. Not only to him, but to you as well—such a sweet thing you've been." Deltoid had said that day when he met Ophelia for tea almost two months after the incident. "But sometimes such is life—a boy I knew once went a similar way, yes. Have I ever told you of…"And for the hundredth and last time, Deltoid told Ophelia about the infamously problematic charge he had who ended up in prison. She listened to every one so not to be rude, but in all honesty, it was difficult to care.

So needless to say; this meeting brought some rather mixed emotions. Nonetheless, Ophelia embraced the only person alive who ever really knew her. "Mr. Deltoid, what are you doing here?"

"Court work, I'm afraid. Called in as an expert witness against one of my charges yes. Outlook not in his favor I shall say. And what of you, young lady, what brings you to the courthouse this fine day?"

"Well, um….actually, I'm getting married today." Deltoid then noticed the small bump that was visible even beneath the dress and overcoat. Ophelia blushed with embarrassment. "It's not because of that….my fiancée and I simply didn't want to make a big deal out of it."

Deltoid made an 'ah' sound and nodded. "Well, I suppose congratulations is in order… Who is the lucky man?"

"There you are, Oppie-feelie-ah!" Ophelia looked over her shoulder in time to see Alex stop. Confused, she looked back to Deltoid who appeared just as shocked as the other. Alex slowly continued towards her, wrapping an arm around Ophelia. "Well, hello sir. Good day, is it not?"

"Well, well, Alexander De Large. Yes, I suppose it is." Deltoid said with a frown. Ophelia then realized with a gasp the reason both men were so surprised. Alex must have also formerly been a charge of Deltoid—perhaps even the troublemaker he was always complaining about.

Judging by the look on Deltoid's face, it was a safe bet. His most well behaved ward with his most troublesome one, it was an odd twist of fate.

"So, this is your fiancée, Ophelia?" Deltoid said coldly, looking directly at Alex. "Am I to assume he is the child's father?"

"Indeed I am." Alex cut it very defensively. Ophelia paled; knowing full well what Deltoid was thinking. A one nightstand or perhaps rape turned into a lifetime commitment; anything else was just coincidence.

"As I've said sir—this marriage would be taking place with or without baby. I simply have no one to stand up for me at a big wedding." Ophelia assured, not quite understanding why she would need his approval.

Deltoid nodded. "Right, right, just an odd coincidence, quite kismet yes?" He cleared his throat. "Well, I was just about to leave, but perhaps since I could stay and play witness, yes? Just a mutual friend seeing his wards married?"

"By all means sir, we'd be honored." Alex said in a daring voice, as if to challenge him to try and stop the wedding. Ophelia, once again feeling very sick, allowed herself to be led by Alex. Deltoid followed behind, feeling very powerless and certain no matter what he did, Ophelia would be signing her soul to the devil known as Alex.

There was no music as they walked into the courtroom. Simply Ophelia holding her bouquet and Alex with his proper coat and frilly ascot with a rose pinned to his coat. Deltoid took his seat in the front row of the courtroom as the Judge sat high above them. The bailiff spoke once both Alex and Ophelia were positioned.

"The court now acknowledges the intent to marry of Alexander John De Large and Ophelia Claire Sybalt." The judge gave the bailiff an odd look when he heard both names. He looked back to the couple and began slowly.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to join Alexander and Ophelia in holy matrimony, before god, the law, and all the creatures within. If there is anyone who knows of a reason these two shall not be wed speak now or forever hold your peace."

Alex and Ophelia looked back to Mr. Deltoid. He gave Ophelia a very serious almost pleading look. She let her shoulders rise and fall; a weak shrug to indicate her mind was made up. With a sigh, Deltoid shook his head.

The couple turned back to the judge. "Very well; in that case, Alexander, do you promise to take Ophelia to have and to hold? Through sickness and health? To care and love her until death do you part?"

"I do, your honor." Alex spoke loud and clearly.

"And do you, Ophelia, promise to take Alexander to have and to hold? Through sickness and health? To care and love him until death do you part?"

In a weaker voice, she responded. "I do…your honor."

"Do you have ring to symbolize this union?" Alex nodded and reached into his pocket, producing two rings. Ophelia was shocked when he opened her hand and placed his ring in it.

He then took her other hand and slipped the gold band over her finger. "Repeat me, Alexander- With this ring, I do thee wed."

"With this ring, I do thee wed." Alex stated.

Ophelia took the ring in her palm and held his hand. "Ophelia, repeat after me—with this ring, I do thee wed."

"With this ring," Ophelia smiled as she said it. "I do thee wed."

"Bailiff, the papers." The man stepped towards the couple holding out a marriage certificate for them to sign as well as a pen. Alex signed the paper first with extremely shaky handwriting and then handed it to his bride. Ophelia took a deep breath and closed her eyes, signing the paper and handing it back to the Bailiff, who then delivered it to the judge.

The judge reviewed the paper, and gave the couple one last lingering stare. Whether it was because he was the Alex De Large or if she was the daughter of the Bill Sybalt, it was a mystery. The judge finally signed the papers and handed back to the bailiff to be filed.

"I here by approve this marriage and with the power invested in me, pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Alex leaned down to peck Ophelia on the lips—much more gentle and quick then his usual kiss but Ophelia chopped it up the serious aura.

The judge stood and offered the couple a small smile. "Congratulations, you are now Mr. and Mrs. Alexander De Large."

"Thank you." Ophelia said quietly with a bow, Alex smirked and nodded his thanks as well.

"I hope you know what you're doing, yes." Deltoid stated before turning to leave. Ophelia watched him leave, annoyed but not all surprised at how hesitant he was.

"Yes." Ophelia repeated, making Alex chuckle. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

()

The flowers soaked in the vase on the dresser as Ophelia brushed out her hair. Alex would be coming in from his office soon, no doubt eager to return to his now wife.

Ophelia stopped when she felt the baby move in her stomach. She smirked as she set the brush down on the dresser. "It's way past your bed time, child…. Clara perhaps? Or maybe A.J…Helene?" She tried a few different names, not sure which one really fit the child she couldn't see.

"How about Montserrat? It would be cute, but…a mouthful for you and everyone else. Not anymore than Giovanni, I suppose." Ophelia sighed, as she gently patted the stomach. "We'll have to see what exactly you are first."

"Certainly hope it's human." Alex joked as he leaned against the doorway. Ophelia jumped, before looking to Alex, who was laughing. "Frightened you, love?"

"Just didn't hear you." She said. Once the surprise was gone, she walked over to her husband, wrapping her arms around him. She planted a kiss on his cheek, and another on his jaw, then several more down his neck. Alex groaned, feeling the sexual tension rising within him. Figures on his wedding night, he wouldn't be able to lay a hand on her.

"Oppie-feelie-ah…Ye might be pushing your Uncle Alex."

"Good," She said in a hard, low voice. One that made him dizzy with lust. "I want you, Alex."

He pushed his nails into her nightgown, almost afraid to hope. For the first time in awhile, he was losing himself to red. "Are you sure?"

With desperate need she wrapped one leg around him, he picked up the other so he could carry her. "Please Alex…"

Then just like that, his resistance broke. He carried her to the bed and as carefully as he could, made love to her for the first time in months. It was emotionally draining but not explosive in itself, yet the passion and love was enough to leave them both satisfied with the end result.

Ophelia was relieved to find that being with Alex didn't draw any memories of the rape. And Alex had kept control of himself enough to make sure she didn't endure anything more. They were both relieved, happy, and very much in love by the time it ended.

Their marriage was now official in every way possible.