**Ben's POV**
Ryder had asked for me, Mike, Laura, Will, and Kristolyn to come to dinner with her as a group. She had texted me privately saying that she was ready to come out and I was thrilled. She was staying at Will's and I was the first one at the diner with Mike, Laura, and Kristolyn arriving soon afterward. Will and Ryder showed up ten minutes later.
"Sorry," Ryder greeted us, "Will couldn't decide on a shirt."
"No worries," I shrugged, smiling, "Let's eat."
"So," Ryder began after our food arrived, "I have something I need to tell you all," I could see her chest moving as she took deep breathes to calm herself, "I've known for a long time and it's ruined homes for me in the past, but here goes - I am bisexual."
She glanced at me and I nodded. She looked around at the rest of our group.
"Cool," Kristolyn put her hand on Ryder's arm, "Thanks for telling us."
"Do you have any crushes?" Will waggled his eyebrows. Ryder smiled and looked at Laura and Mike.
"We love you no matter what, Ryder," Mike promised, "You've got three dads here and two moms who will always stand by you and that will always extend to whomever you love."
Ryder turned to Laura, "Please say something," she gulped. Laura looked up from the table slowly with a grin.
"Boys are dorks," she said, "Never forget that. Being bi means that you can love someone for who they are."
Ryder slumped back into her chair, visibly relieved, "Thank you. Thank you for accepting me."
"Come here, kiddo," Kristolyn pulled Ryder out of her chair and into a hug, "We love you no matter what. Being into guys or girls is never going to change that."
"I'll admit," Ryder sighed, still leaning on Kristolyn, "I was kind of expecting a bigger reaction."
"I can give that to you if you want," Will offered, "I can go running down the street screaming if you'd prefer?"
"I'll join him," I started to get up.
"It's okay," Ryder shook her head and went back to her seat, "I'm good."
"Let us know," Mike winked.
"So," Will leaned forward, "Do you have any crushes?"
"Not exactly," Ryder mumbled, "But... I am in a relationship."
"What!" Laura shrieked, "You're in a relationship and you never told us?"
"I never told you guys because it would involve me outing myself," Ryder explained, "You've met her though and you like her."
"Who is it?" Mike asked.
"Brooklyn."
Laura gave Ryder a pointed look but nodded approvingly. Kristolyn sat back and seemed to be taking her time processing that. Mike looked proud and Will was clearly confused.
"Which one's Brooklyn?" he asked.
"Ryder's best friend," Kristolyn explained, "Though it would appear they're more than just friends."
"You don't seem surprised by this, Ben," Laura narrowed her eyes, "Why?"
"Ben caught me and Brooklyn kissing when he came to pick me up from school before you started the adoption process. He's known since then," Explained Ryder for me.
I nodded, "Ryder asked me to keep it under wraps so she could come out on her own timeline. It wasn't my secret to tell."
**Laura's POV**
Ryder came home with me after dinner. She still seemed nervous, which I made a point of addressing on the way home. She managed to explain that she'd come out to foster families in her past and they'd immediately kicked her out. When she'd told me this, I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her close, whispering in her ear,
"I love you, Ryder, no matter what I am going to always be here for you. I don't care if you're gay, straight, bi, ace, trans, or even an alien - what I care about is that you are Ryder Elliana Hansen - my daughter and that you know that no matter what, I will always, always love you."
Ryder gave me a small smile and leaned close against me. I almost missed her next question when she whispered,
"Can I call you mom?"
"Yes," I answered, resting my head against hers, "Nothing would make me happier."
"Okay... Mom."
My daughter is bisexual and in a same-sex relationship.
I couldn't be more proud of her.
This chapter made me really happy writing and I hope it made you all just as happy to read it. Fun fact, when I came out to my parents as bi my mom said the exact same thing as Will did, "I can run down the street screaming if you'd like that".
I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this chapter and the story as a whole.
-Spaceheater1
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Adopted by Dear Evan Hansen: Could we go on For Forever?
FanficAt thirteen-years-old, Ryder Lukassen was confident that nothing good was ever going to come. Her parents had been killed in a car crash when she was nine and she'd been bounced from foster home to foster home all across New York City ever since. Bu...
