Rachel and Eddie stood at the bottom of the 199 steps leading up to the cliff top, fish and chips safely wrapped up in a bag ready to be eaten when they got to the top. The stone steps stared back at them, daring them to take on the challenge of getting to the top, as they had to millions of other tourists in their time.

The steps were originally made from wood, but were changed to stone in 1774. Rachel was sure that the change in material didn't make them any less intimidating. Maybe they were a bit more sturdy and safe, but not less intimidating.

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Rachel asked, turning to Eddie

"Yep, fighting fit, Mason!" he nodded with a smirk

Rachel raised an eyebrow.

"Race you to the top?" She challenged, eyes sparkling with mischief

"I'm not that determined to prove how fit I am, Rach!" he chuckled

"Wuss" she huffed playfully

Fifteen minutes later, they had made it to the top. It was safe to say that Whitby's 199 steps up to the Church and Abbey were not for the faint hearted! They were steep and narrow. An 'uphill struggle' was an appropriate way to describe them. It was worth it for the view, however.

Near the top of the steps was a picnic table. Eddie practically collapsed onto it, placing the bag of fish and chips on the table as he breathed heavily. Rachel couldn't help but laugh.

" 'Fighting fit' my arse, Lawson!"

Eddie rolled his eyes.

"That was a lot of steps!" he pointed out

"It was said that the 199 steps were once used as a test of Christian faith for anyone who wanted to worship in St. Mary's Church at the top of the cliff. Climbing the steps would prove that you were faithful" Rachel told him, sitting down opposite him

"Are you a historian as well as everything else, Rach?"

Rachel giggled.

"No, I just... I've read a lot about Whitby and its history" she shrugged

"Yeah, well, I think we've proved our 'faith', don't you?" he chuckled, still a little breathless

"Definitely!" Rachel laughed

They unwrapped their fish and chips, the smell of the food making both of their stomachs grumble. Neither of them had eaten since breakfast, so the food was a welcoming sight.

The view from the top of the cliff was spectacular. You could see over the whole of Whitby, which, from the top of the cliff looked incredibly tiny.

The sea glittered in the winter sun. They watched as white crested waves crashed against the cliff on the opposite side, making a soothing, whooshing sound.

St. Mary's Church stood not too far away from them. It was a quaint little building with an incredibly eerie graveyard attached to it. Looking at it now, the way that it had been described in Dracula was a perfect mirror image of what Rachel was currently looking at.

"Did you count the steps on the way up?" Rachel asked, tucking into her fish and chips

"Of course I did. And they've got it wrong, it's 200 steps" he told her confidently

Rachel frowned at him.

"No, it was 198" she corrected

"I think you counted wrong, Rach. It was definitely 200!" he argued

"Or maybe YOU counted wrong?" she teased, a smile lighting up her face

"I did not!!! It was 200!!" he huffed

"Eddie there was not 200 steps leading up here! It was 198!" she protested

"Ask my legs, it was 200!!"

Rachel scoffed. For decades, there had been a debate around the number of steps leading up to the cliff top. Some had counted 198, some 199, and some 201. On their way up, Rachel had counted 198 steps. She didn't know where Eddie had got his number from!

"To say you're a mathematician, you evidently can't count!" she giggled

"Well, maybe we should go back down there and count again?" Eddie suggested jokingly

"I think if we were to do that again, you will be dead on the floor, Lawson! We've already had an incident with you today, let's not have another!" she pointed out, popping a chip into her mouth

Eddie rolled his eyes playfully, returning his attention to his food.

Once they'd finished eating, they made their way over to the ruins of Whitby Abbey. This was one of the things Rachel had been looking forward to the most. For years, she had dreamed of coming to Whitby and seeing the ruins of the Abbey for herself. Now it was finally happening, it felt a little surreal.

Whilst it felt surreal, it did not disappoint!

The Abbey watched over Whitby, much like a king would watch over its kingdom. It was one of the most popular and iconic landmarks in Whitby, oozing with fascinating history dating all the way back to the 7th Century, supposedly built by the Saxon King of Northumbria.

The skeletal remains of the Abbey were a shell of what was once a full and magnificent building. The echo of it's past lingered in the air. It was an invincible structure. Despite the wind, rain and hardship it had endured over time, it still stood tall and proud on the cliff top. The soaring gothic ruins had captivated and inspired writers, artists and photographers for decades, with its stunning sea views and weathered arches.

Rachel and Eddie roamed through the dramatic gothic halls in awe and amazement. The ruins towered above them, soaring upwards towards the sky. The setting sun peered through the glass-less windows, casting a path of golden light on the grass in front of them and bathing the walls in a golden glow. The North Sea stretched out beneath the cliff, the windows a portal to the sea.

As they wandered around, taking in the intricate stonework, pointed arches and soaring columns, they couldn't help but let their minds wander as they tried to imagine how grand it must have been all those years ago. There was a powerful atmosphere to it, one of mystery and grandeur. Every intricate brick was filled with history. If the walls could talk, Rachel wondered what stories they would have to tell.

Whitby was full of mystery and was the ideal setting for a story of any kind. Whitby Abbey had to be the most atmospheric place in the town. It was the birthplace of the story of Dracula after all.

Bram Stoker had come to Whitby in 1890, after it was recommended to him as a place to stay and get away. To think that if it hadn't been recommended to him, he probably never would have visited, meaning that Dracula, the classic novel that was still loved to this day, would probably not have been written. It was mind blowing to Rachel how one simple thing could change everything.

Rachel could visualise the story of Dracula unfolding in her mind as she looked around the timeless ruins, probably in the same way Bram Stoker had all those years ago. To have such a powerful imagination like that fascinated her. She'd met very few people who had such a talent for writing.

Eddie's attention was mostly on Rachel. History and literature wasn't really his thing, but he knew they were two things that Rachel was passionate about. He also knew how much coming here meant to her. Dracula was her favourite novel; it was a reminder of how literature had saved her. She loved everything about it, from the plot, to the characters and setting. Being here, at Whitby Abbey, meant so much to her. It was part of the reason why he'd booked the holiday here, because he knew how long she'd wanted to come here for. It had been a good decision.

Rachel was currently in her element. Eddie had seen her in her element before as a Head Teacher. He had never seen her like this though. Her eyes danced with excitement as she took everything in, paying attention to every little detail. He found watching her more interesting than he did the ruins of the Abbey. He could feel the happiness radiating off her. He could watch her forever.

Rachel had dreamed of this moment since she was fifteen. She felt overwhelmed that she had finally made it here. It had been worth the wait. She'd seen countless photos of Whitby Abbey over the years, but none of them compared to the beauty of seeing it in person. The ruins were stunning, engraved with so many carvings and subtle details. Just when she'd thought she'd taken it all in, another minute detail caught her eye.

She felt her eyes welling up with tears as she reminded herself of just how much her life had changed. She had everything she'd ever wanted right now, and not just from seeing Whitby Abbey in person. She had Eddie, the man she was head over heels in love with. She had a job that she was devoted to, a wonderful nephew and a baby on the way. Did it get more perfect than that?

Eddie noticed the tears glistening in her eyes. He moved slowly, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and resting his chin on her shoulder. He saw her smile softly, her hands coming to rest on his.

"Was it worth the wait?" he asked, kissing her shoulder gently

"It's beautiful" she nodded, sniffling a little

"You know, it's actually said to be the most romantic ruin in Britain" he told her

Rachel snorted, turning her head to look at him. She'd heard a lot of things about Whitby Abbey that she would dismiss as being false. This was another one that was equally as ridiculous as the others!

"Where did you hear that?" she questioned

"I read it somewhere. Every couple that comes here has to share a kiss under the ruins for good luck" he shrugged

Rachel giggled. Before he'd said that, it could have easily been believable. Now she knew he was making it up.

"You are definitely making that up!"

"I am not! That is what I read!" he insisted

Rachel smirked, shaking her head.

"So what happens if couples don't kiss under the ruins?" she wondered aloud

Eddie raised an eyebrow.

"Do you really want to find out?" he challenged

Rachel turned around to face him, snaking her arms around his neck.

"Any excuse to kiss me, hey, Lawson?"

Eddie smirked, pressing a kiss to her lips. Rachel's heart fluttered at the feeling. She smiled softly, resting her forehead against his as she pulled away from him.

"How was that?" she whispered

"Well, put it this way, I think we'll only have good luck from now on"

She laughed, pecking him on the lips again.

"Why don't we get the picnic blanket out the car and find somewhere to sit for the night?" he suggested

Rachel nodded.

They set up camp a little further out on the cliff, but close enough to where other people were starting to settle for the night. They had blankets and cushions to lie on to keep warm and comfortable. As much as Eddie wanted to shout his love for Rachel from the cliff tops, he knew Rachel would feel overwhelmed by a large audience watching the intimate moment of their engagement, which would take place later on tonight. There was also a chance that she would say no. After all, they hadn't actually discussed the subject of marriage. Eddie wasn't sure if it was something she wanted or not, and he didn't want to make a fool of himself or her. Time would tell.

The two of them sat down, watching the sun set over the sea. The view was like something you would see in a painting. The sun was a bright ball of fire, gradually melting into the sky. The horizon was saturated with colour; hues of red, orange and pink were streaked across the evening sky, painting the sea in an amber glow.

Rachel and Eddie gazed into the intense fiery sky in wonder. They'd experienced many sunsets here in the last five days. None were ever the same, but they were all equally as beautiful. They had never seen a sunset with so many shades. It was the perfect end to a long day.

Eddie found himself watching Rachel again. His breath hitched in his throat. The colours of the sky reflected in her deep, chocolate brown eyes, the beam of the winter sun illuminating her face, making it glow. She looked like an angel. He couldn't stop himself from placing a kiss in her hair as he pulled her into him.

"What was that for?" she asked curiously, looking up at him

"Do I need a reason?" he questioned

Rachel rolled her eyes playfully.

"The sea air has gone to your head, Lawson" she teased

"Complaining, are we?"

She pecked him on the lips.

"Definitely not" she whispered, a cheeky smile growing on her face as she gazed at him

Eddie chuckled.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked

She nodded, settling further into him. She'd never felt more comfortable or content in her life.