ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 145

" So , how do you happen to be in the states , Margie? ," Nicholas asked as they had given their lunch orders at Richard and Nigel's to the smiling server who nodded at them and walked off with the menus. " The last I heard you were in Iraq. Or was it Syria ? Photographing war zones. "

Margaret smiled graciously at him as she sipped her inported water. " Oh , I have not been in a war zone for some years now, Nicky. Surprised you even kept up with me and my little career. After I lost my Peter I lost desire for taking pictures of death and dismay. I decided to travel. All types of countries including this one. " It was how she met Tony actually. In Philadelphia at an art gallery opening for a friend of hers. He had been there staring in a perplexed manner at a large blank canvas that was sprinkled with splashes of vivid red and black color. He had been so adorable that she had had to start up a conversation with the gorgeous younger man. Three hours  and half a bottle of white wine later at a small lounge nearby and he had stolen her heart. Then she found out about his wife and children. His six children. And exactly who his wife's family were. Yes , she did still love Tony but as she gazed over at Nicholas with his quiet distinguished good looks ; his neatly cut salt and pepper hair and twinkling green eyes , she very nearly forgot all about Tony Angeletti. She felt young again with Nicholas. Young and carefree. " I could ask you the same question. What in the world are you doing in America? "

Nicholas laughed. " Well , I was feeling lost after Irena passed away. She had leukemia. After I lost her nothing seemed to matter really. I was not as good a husband to her as she was a wife to me. I made Alexi president and kept Max as vice president. I remained involved but not much. I did a little traveling myself and then settled in Florida. That's where I met Jenessa. My beautiful second wife. She ran into the back of my car, stole my heart and made me want to live again. Love again. Anyway.... Long tale short I married Jenessa , we moved here to Maryland where her children are, I found my youngest son Nigel , and I lost my second wife. "

She reached out to touch his hand gently as the server quietly came over with their salad courses ; seafood for her and the house special for him. " I'm sorry, Nicky. She sounds special. Sounded special. "

" She was. I'm very certain I will never marry again. I can not imagine living through another loss like her and Irena. I'm sure you can understand having lost Peter. "

Margaret smiled faintly as she picked up her salad fork to stab it into a shrimp. " Of course. But you can't predict what the future shall reveal to you. Can you? "