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 18: The End

She hadn't noticed the way he was looking at her. She being his wife of 9 years this very night. Nearly a decade Alex hadn't grown tired of his malenky little devotchka yet—if anything, age had made her more and more beautiful to him and it was impossible to believe he had ever found her pale or unappealing. Ophelia's long blonde locks dropped into the dishwater as she finished cleaning up after dinner.

"Dad, how was that one?" Johan asked. The eight-year-old dark blonde boy with his mother's green eyes, had proven himself quite skilled at piano and only improved under Alex's guidance. Ophelia put the final dish in the drying rack and looked just in time to see Alex look back to their son.

"Very good son, very good indeed." He said—she couldn't remember when Alex exactly had lost the final traces of his accent; it was sometime after the birth of the beautiful little blonde girl sitting at the table—their five year old daughter Clara Jostelyn De Large. At the moment, she was calmly drawing but Clara was prone to sudden tantrums and attacks—things that Johan never even considered at her age. Alex, who had worried that son may provide grief to their family, now wondered if his beloved, spoiled daughter would become a problem.

"The women I came across...victimized… they always came across as so pure and innocent. I thought good came naturally to them; I never once considered that the darkness I carried for so long could be inflicted upon my darling princess." And he did in fact, worship and spoil the girl more than he did Johan. Perhaps to make up for the way he had treated females for so long.

Alex had proven himself to be an attentive and protective father, and having the time to do so now that his career as author had taken off. Alex's book about the young and society had been an instant hit and he was asked to write many more and was eventually convinced to go to college. He now had a bachelor's degree in sociology, with a minor in music and was currently working towards his bachelors in music as well.

Ophelia, as far as her music career was concerned, was doing well. When Johan was young, she would work during the mornings on her music while attending to her son, and sometimes in the afternoon, take him to play with George or visit Alex's parents, who adored their grandson more than anything. During these nights, (sometimes with Alex, sometimes not) she would take Johan to the jazz bar the couple use to go to. The young child seemed to love the music even as a baby and it gave Ophelia time to work on her music some more. These trips continued until Clara was born and Ophelia started getting offers from record companies to buy her music for other artists to use. Now many of her songs were becoming popular hits.

Life seemed almost perfect, Ophelia thought as she watched Alex tutor Johan in his piano playing. Out of the corner of her eye she could feel Clara's cold glare out to the living room. The children were so jealous of one another; Johan that Clara was handed everything by Alex, and Clara that he expected more out of Johan and spent more time with him. There was also always the fear that they would get lost in the world that had been so cruel to her. These feelings had also started a few fights between Alex and Ophelia. Such as Alex's preference that the children be homeschooled while Ophelia insisted they go to a public school.

As worried as she was that her son and daughter would be dragged into a bad crowd; she didn't want her children sheltered either. She could only hope there'd be a middle ground; pray that there was one.

Ophelia walked over and tapped Clara's shoulder. "Come on now; time for bed."

"But Johan doesn't have to...!"

"Yes he will. Go upstairs and wait for your father and I to tuck you in." Ophelia said quickly so to avoid a tantrum. She put emphasis on the world father because Clara was less likely to challenge Alex than she was Ophelia. Clara may have been able to manipulate her father (smart enough to use it to her advantage too) but she was also smart enough to know that Alex was not a man to mess with.

Clara gathered her things and ran off; the quick patter of feet made Ophelia sigh. She then walked, her eyes setting on her beautiful son and wonderful husband.

Johan finished the song he played, Alex patting his back, satisfied with his son's performance. "Johan, time to get ready for bed."

Johan turned with wide eyes, just as he was to question it Alex squeezed his shoulder. "Go on then, son. Mum and I will be up soon."

The little boy, still brooding in his seat, took his piano book and quickly rushed by upstairs. Alex smiled at his wife and rose from his bench. Ophelia smiled as she welcomed him into her arms. "Thank god for you; those children would never listen to me."

"You're a gentle and beautiful mother, darling. Too much so to be a force to be reckoned with." He kissed her neck and nuzzled her chin, making her blush. After so many years, she still blushed and awed like a virgin. "Perhaps we could have some fun once the children are asleep?"

"I'd…" Ophelia couldn't finish the thought. There was loud screaming upstairs follow by a crash. With their hands entwined they rushed upstairs. The scream came from Clara's room, inside, the lamp the girl always slept with on was broken across the floor, both children staring at it wide eyed. Clara's eye began to water.

"Look at what you did now!"

"What I did? You were the one who took my book!"

"You were making fun of me!"

"Enough!" Alex said abruptly. Looking between both children. "That's enough of both of you! I want this lamp cleaned up and each of you to bed!"

"Alex, darling your voice." Ophelia broke in, nodding her head to Clara. More tears were falling from her voice as the anger and frustration gathered in their small child.

"But…he started it! He was telling me how I'll never learn piano, how you two hate me for causing fits and that's why you won't teach me!" Clara broke in suddenly. Johan couldn't even deny it; it wasn't in his nature to try and lie to his parents. Alex glared at his son.

"Are you getting cocky son? Picking on your sister when you yourself are still an amateur?" Alex showed no mercy even when the boy flinched. Alex wanted his children humbled; so they wouldn't dare step out of line.

"But dad…mom…."

Ophelia sighed; she an Alex had talked about this. It would hurt, and it'd make all of them cry, but they had to be hard. "Your father's right, Johan… It's…hypocritical."

"Now you help your sister pick up this lamp and you both go to sleep! Come along, mum…." Alex said extending his hand towards Ophelia. Both children were still angry and upset, barely able to move. However, in the silent moment, Johan whispered something off his lips.

"Bratchny…." Alex stopped, his hand still around Ophelia's, hardly believing the word he had heard.

"What did you say?" He asked in a cold voice, turning over his shoulder to face his son. Johan shook where he stood, face growing pale. He was more afraid than he ever had before. Ophelia watched the scene in fear. It wasn't what the word meant that had put Alex off; it was the word he used. "Well?"

"I…I said…"

"Just go to bed, Johan." Ophelia said, trying to prevent the danger. But it was too late; Alex stomped over to his backing son, but managed to grab his wrist. He jerked Johan forward. "Alex? Alex!"

A look overcame Alex; one she hadn't seen in years. It was the dangerous look daring the world to challenge him. A grin overcame his face as he shook his son's arm. "A word of advice boy…. Never bring that language into my house again, do you understand! Not a goddamn word such as that is to ever leave your lips! Or I swear, heaven or hell won't compare to the wrath I bring upon you…Understand boy?"

Johan couldn't move or speak. Alex held the look for a moment or so before releasing him. "Get the hell out of my sight, now!"

The boy didn't even pick up his book. He rushed out of the room, brushing by Ophelia. The older woman couldn't sty to watch Alex help Clara pick up her lamp, she ran from the room, bursting into tears.

It was tears over what she already knew; she couldn't protect her children from the world; and she couldn't protect them from her husbands past. Alex was such an attentive father; she could hardly believe he was the same boy she had met all those years ago. And while she worshiped him as a husband; she was afraid her son would turn out like he was as a boy.

She had seen the best and the worst of Alex; heard him warn her about himself time after time. Did it affect her feelings for him? Never. Did it make her fear that his troubles were genetic? Absolutely. She never wanted to look at her children and see the monster she could see in Alex.

Alex entered the bedroom and closed it. "Ophelia….I had to."

"He's just a boy Alex… He can't be capable of what we're afraid he is."

She felt the weight shift on the bed and after a moment, his arms were around her. He held her close as his own tears pricked at his eyes. "I…I want better for him Ophelia. If I hadn't been so jaded…if I had created instead of destroyed…"

Ophelia sighed; knowing it rare for him to get so emotional. She leaned her head on his arm, making a great understanding. "It is what it is, Alex… We can do what we can and just hope for the best."

Alex planted a kiss on her cheek. The woman who had given him all of this. Who had made him realize he had wanted more not just for himself; but his children too. "I swear as long as I live, neither of those children will face what I have."

Ophelia could only hope that much was true.

Hey guys! Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews and alerts for the story! It's been a great story to write! I'm considering making a sequel but I still have to think it through. Let me know what you all think! Thanks again.