A/N: This is a short story I wrote for Mother's Day. It belongs in the same universe as the 'Brownies & Surprises' stories I've posted here. To recap, in this AU, Harm and Mac get together as a couple earlier than in canon – about 6 years after their first meeting, but Mattie is already part of Harm's life. They adopt two children from Russia (back when it was still legal), and this three-part story looks at part of their adoption journey. I didn't do as much research for this one as I'd have liked, so please forgive my errors and inaccuracies, and let's just chalk them up to dramatic license ;-). As always, I welcome your reviews!

Mac stared out the window of the tiny bedroom. Snow was falling thickly, laying plush white blankets on the arid ground, transforming this small, dreary town into a winter wonderland of sorts. She was exhausted, but the thoughts hurtling through her mind kept her alert, her thoughts raw and on edge. She knew she ought to at least try to sleep in preparation for the big day ahead, but it seemed impossible.

They'd had a long day, travelling first by private airplane from St Petersburg to a tiny airstrip several hours away from Novosibirsk, and then making the long train journey to the small town where they were currently spending the night. Early the next morning, they would take another train to yet another small town, and then travel by car to the orphanage, where they would finally meet their son – for the very first time.

Our son, Yakov. Mac sighed deeply, running a hand anxiously through her hair. She pulled her robe tighter around her, feeling a chill that seemed to run from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. It was a cold night, and the ancient heater was barely functional, but she knew the chill she was feeling came from deep within her. Every muscle in her body seemed taut, stretched almost to breaking-point. The long journey that had led them to this tiny inn was nothing compared to the emotional and mental journey that had brought them this far.

Almost two years had passed since the day that Mac and Harm had decided to pursue adoption. It was one of the first joint decisions they'd made as an engaged couple. Mac could still vividly recall their conversation, as they'd sat having dinner at her apartment, making plans. In those heady, exciting days, they were practically drunk on each other and the life they would share. They'd been giddy with anticipation about everything – their relationship, the career changes that would necessarily follow, their impending marriage, their desire to become parents...

Two years earlier

"So," Mac asked her fiancé, swiping a breadstick from his plate, "how many children do you see us having?"

Harm was silent for a moment, and then looked straight into his beautiful partner's brown eyes. "I'm open to whatever you want, Mac... you know that being with you is what's most important to me."

Mac did know. She had shared the implications of her endometriosis with Harm the night he asked her to marry him, and his response was that, if they couldn't conceive naturally, they could try other methods – IVF, surrogacy... Or they could always adopt, or even make the decision not to have children. "Whatever we decide, Mac," he'd said, melting her heart with the warmth in his eyes, "we're in this together – you and me."

Mac smiled at Harm. "I've been thinking... I really want to be a mom, Harm." A laugh of pure joy escaped her lips. "I just really, really want to be a mom. I've wanted it for... I don't know how long. And you'll be an amazing dad. I'm ready now, Harm, and I don't want to wait. I want to adopt. I really want us to start looking at adoption right away."

Harm stared at her in surprise, and Mac misinterpreted his shock, mentally kicking herself for getting so carried away with her dreams of motherhood. "But," she said, in a more subdued tone, "if you're not on the same page... if you're not ready, if you'd rather wait –"

Harm shook his head quickly, his eyes shining. "No – no, I don't want to wait either, Mac. I'm just so glad you feel the same way. I didn't want to bring it up because of, well, you know –"

Mac reached across the table to take his hand. "I've made my peace with it, Harm. It hasn't been easy to come to terms with, but I've accepted it. I just want us to start a family, and there are many ways to do that. Adoption... well, it just feels right to me. I don't care if we adopt a five-month old or a five-year old, I don't care if we adopt a boy or a girl... there are just so many children in the world that need to be loved."

The words poured forth from Mac in a steady stream – it was as though once she'd started on the subject, she couldn't stop. "And I've been thinking... what do you think about adopting a child from Russia? I've done a little research, and it would be hard – and expensive – and it could take a long time to get through all the formalities... but I do at least have a working knowledge of the language, and you can learn the basics of the language, and it's such a significant place for us – your brother lives there, your father rests there, and it's a place that brought us closer together."

Harm closed his eyes, emotion flooding through him. He was amazed that Mac had thought so deeply about this. He opened his eyes again, and his voice broke as he softly said, "Let's do it." Then he walked around the table, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her passionately. Soon, dinner was completely forgotten.