Nikolai is a florist who has supplied flowers for Fisher & Sons for years. He was one of the only vendors that was not intimidated by the bullying of the corporation that is trying to buy out the Fisher's funeral home. After Nathaniel Sr. dies, Ruth gets a job working for Nikolai. Nikolai is very attracted to Ruth, who shares his attraction, but she is a little frightened of him. Nikolai isn't too happy about having to compete against Hiram, who he considers whimpy, for Ruth's affection. After Hiram meets another woman Ruth and Nikolai become more involved. Nikolai had borrowed money from a russian mobster to start his business, he wasn't paying it back fast enough so the mobster roughed him up, breaking both of Nikolai's legs. Ruth insists that he recovers at her house. Nikolai starts to feel smothered by Ruth, who doesn't notice at first. Ruth ends up paying off the mobster which angers Nikolai, causing him to pull away further. Ruth eventually notices and she breaks up with him and quits working for him.