Things always happen for a reason. Outcomes occur because that's it the way it was supposed to end, even if it's not how you planned. People come into your life to teach you lessons you need to learn. Fate will take you to where you're destined to be. All of this needs to happen to allow you to grow into the person you're meant to be, and I learned this in the time I've lived in Daytona Beach.

My original intentions for coming down here were to get out of the cold and ride my Harley year round. I wanted to be alone, take the time to figure out who I am without help, but I soon found that impossible. Without the influence of the people around me, I cannot grow. I would be stuck as the girl who always kept to herself, never truly allowing another person to know who I was. Sure, I would always be talking to someone, happy in any form on social interaction, but I never let a single person see deep into my soul.

I met Gina, and my heart started to shift. I was happy talking to her about my personal life, my problems and happiness. I was uncomfortable at first, but my nerves eased when I noticed how genuine and kind she was. She was always ready to lend a helping hand when she could, and she taught me the true meaning of friendship.

Steve, even though we never had the chance to get as close and Gina and me, has still been the strong influence I needed. Sure, my dad was a strong man, but Steve is on a completely different level. As a state policeman, he taught me safety and how to look out for myself. After the attack, when we thought he got shot, my heart shattered at the thought of losing him. His soul taught me to fight for myself and others, no matter the circumstances because you never know what the outcome may be.

Meeting Caitlin and Josh, while a complete coincidence, was a blessing. Same for Falcon and Bones. We all became quick friends, people I could always rely on. They showed me that the biker community is more than people waving to each other when we pass on the road. It truly is a close knit family that will stick up for each other when the times get tough, whether on or off the bike. We've been on many rides together, laughing and having a great time.

Ryder's family showed me that the more people you have on your side, the better. I talk to all of them on a daily basis, and probably more than Ryder does. Kyle and I talk about the bikes, him constantly bugging me about how my new Road Glide is going. Lorena calls me at least once a week, asking for boy advice or just about life in general since she doesn't have an official older sister to rely on. Jameson asks similar questions, but mostly just calls to talk. Rachel and Allen ask me all the time how future plans are going, always wanting to know what the deal is with their son and future daughter-in-law.

Andy, Logan, and Carter actually moved down to Daytona Beach, completing the friend group. Carter somehow managed to get engaged to Hannah, one of the nurses who took care of me after my accident. We've all come to be a great group of friends, practically inseparable. Through them, I've learned to appreciate the people around you because they're the ones you fall onto when you're not in your best place. We all lean on each other like the best friends that we are.

Last but not least, there's Ryder. This man has taught me more than ever imaginable: to love myself and people in general, but especially him. I never knew I was capable of actually finding love. It was just something that had never crossed my mind, something I never really wanted. He's the missing piece to my puzzle, and I didn't realize how important that piece was until he made his way into my heart.

It's been two years since the day on the rocky ledge. I've been wearing this beautiful promise ring for practically every second of those two years, and my love for it and him has only become stronger. Tomorrow is the day of all days: our wedding day. Most girls dream of this day, having planned it in their childhood. I, however, never gave it a second thought until a year ago when he asked me to marry him.

He took the promise ring one day to get cleaned, then claimed he lost it on the way to the jewelers. I was absolutely livid at him for over two weeks, until one day he took me back to the rocky ledge on the beach and used the ring to propose. Me, being the stubborn bitch that I am, was still mad at him, but quickly got over it once the ring was back at home on my finger.

Now, as I stare at my reflection in the hotel bathroom mirror, I see the woman I have grown to be over the years. The young girl that moved to Florida by herself back in February of 2018 is still here, but she's grown into a 27 year old bride, and she's beyond ecstatic to marry her groom in less than 24 hours.

"Are you coming?" I hear Caitlin yell to me from the couch in the room. I scurry out of the bathroom and smile as I see some of my favorite people gathered around waiting for me. Gina is my matron of honor. As bridesmaids, I have Caitlin, Lorena, and Jameson. They've all been such a great help to me throughout the whole wedding planning process, and I'm so thankful and blessed to have them standing with me on one of the biggest days of my life.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Lorena asks, excitement in her eyes.

"I'm ready for this wedding stuff to be over with," I exclaim while plopping onto the couch next to Caitlin. "I'm just ready to be married and never have to plan a wedding again!"

"That is until you help me plan mine one day," Lorena replies. Jameson adds in a 'me too' while I roll my eyes.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. You're both still too young to be thinking about marriage." They both nod is agreement, then we all head off to sleep to prepare for the big day ahead of us.

With all of our hair and makeup appointments coming to an end, the nerves start to set in. Less than two hours from now, my dad will be walking me down the aisle, preparing to give me away to the man of my dreams. My dad has actually grown to love Ryder as a son. They've been on multiple rides together, ditching me as they go about their journeys. Ryder wanted to buy his own bike, but for now we agreed on him riding my Iron until after we buy a house. He wasn't too keen on the idea at first, with the Iron being a little on the 'girly' side, but he came to terms eventually. I still won't let him ride the Road Glide by himself, though, only as a passenger. He won't be touching my baby for a long while.

"Corina," Lorena snaps me out of my thoughts. "Just breathe." I hadn't noticed I'd been holding my breath from the nerves. I'm not nervous about marrying Ryder. I'm just nervous about the inevitable falling over my heels or dress during the ceremony.

My dress, while not poofy and extravagant, is quite long. I asked the woman that altered my dress to leave the train as short as possible, but clearly to her that meant to make it so long that it'll take up the entire aisle as I stand at the alter. On top of the insanely tall heels my mom gave me to wear, clumsy me will find a way to land face-first on the grass.

We arrive back at the hotel with enough time to sit and relax for about half an hour. Jameson flips on the television, watching what looks to be Supernatural, while I sit on one of the beds and scroll through my phone. I desperately need a distraction, but nothing seems to be working. My mind keeps racing, thinking of everything that could go wrong at the ceremony.

"What do I do if I fall?" I suddenly ask anyone that will listen.

"You're not going to fall," Caitlin replies.

"But what if I do?" I'm starting to panic, knowing there's a very good chance that I will.

"You won't, but if you do, stand up and laugh it off," Gina finally answers. I hug her in gratitude, then breathe to calm my nerves.

The minutes pass, and before I know it Gina announces it's time to leave for the venue. My heart starts to race again, but Lorena grabs my hand in support. "You got this, sis." I muster up a smile to her, then we walk out into the hallway, Jameson grabbing the train of my dress as we go.

The car ride was shorter than I anticipated. Before I knew it, Gina, who drove us all, was parking her car behind the house. Our venue was a farm, with a barn for the reception and a quaint little farmhouse in the back of the field where the ceremony is being held. It took us so long to find a venue like this in the Daytona area, but as soon as we did, we knew it was perfect.

I hear music start to play on the other side of the house that we're hiding behind, and that's when I know the ceremony has started. I grip tightly onto my bouquet, ensuring my left hand is over the other to showcase my engagement ring. The girls leave me to walk down with the groomsmen. Jameson leads, walking with Andy, then Lorena and Carter, Caitlin and Logan, then finally Gina with Kyle. I find it so sweet that Ryder chose his brother to be his best man.

My dad appears beside me, and I know it's time. I wrap my arm around his, and we slowly start our walk. Looking around, I see friends and family from back home in Ohio, and I'm surprised so many of them made the trip. My mom is already crying, as are Ryder's parents. I quickly look away in fear that I'll start crying too. Then I see Ryder, and my breath is instantly taken away. He looks so handsome with his usually tousled, messy hair slicked back, his tux fitting him so well. We finally make it to the alter, and Ryder is standing there with the biggest grin I'd ever seen.

"Who gives this woman to this man?" The officiant begins.

"Her parents," my dad replies. They continue their ordeal, then my dad hands me off to Ryder. His touch sends tingles through my arm, even still. As my dad leaves, the awaited trip finally happens. His foot get caught on the stupidly long train, making him fall. He hardly catches himself before rushing back to his seat in embarrassment. At least it wasn't me!

The ceremony continues on, but I don't pay much attention. All my eyes and ears are focused on is Ryder's nervous breaths. He's never done well in front of large crowds, so this must be absolute torture for him. I rub my thumbs against his, which calms him down some. His bright green eyes lock with mine, and he almost doesn't notice the officiant ask him to repeat the vows. After that, we get through the rest without any more hiccups.

"You may now kiss your bride," the officiant finally announces. Ryder leans in and plants a sweet, yet passionate kiss on my lips, breaking away before it gets too awkward for the guests.

"I love you, idiot," he whispers as we pull away.

"I love you, asshole," I whisper back.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Ryder Cunningham!" At the officiant's last statement, everyone stands and cheers as we make our way back down the aisle. At this point, the tears flow uncontrollably. I just married my best friend, and I wouldn't want anything more.

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And that's the official end! I hope you all enjoyed reading The Ride to Love! Thank you to everyone who took their time to read this terrible book. You're the best!

As for the wedding part, I literally just copied my wedding lol. Pretty much everything that happened was the events of my wedding, even my dad tripping on my train 🤦‍♀️ but all's good we laughed it off!

I can't believe this will be the last time I'm saying this for this book, but vote if you enjoyed it and comment your thoughts!

Byeeeeeeee