Fifty Shades of Grey: Christian and Ana's Relationship Timeline

Updated on Feb 14, 2017 at 3:50 PM

When Fifty Shades of Grey characters Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele meet for the first time, there is an immediate and intense attraction between the two. Ana, who is romantically inexperienced, struggles to understand an emotionally unavailable, and sexually adventurous, Christian. Their relationship goes though numerous ups and downs, including occasional breakups, attempted murders, aggressive ex-girlfriends, and more. However, the two remain madly in love and strive to be together despite the obstacles. Take a look at Christian and Ana's relationship timeline to see all of the crazy-romantic — and just plain crazy — things that happen, from their first meeting in Fifty Shades of Grey to their happily ever after in Fifty Shades Freed. Note: this timeline is based off the books, and some events are slightly different than they are portrayed in the films.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Christian and Ana meet: Anastasia Steele interviews Christian Grey for the college newspaper, meeting him for the first time at his company, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc. They later have a run-in at the hardware store where she works, and Christian agrees to do a photo shoot for the article in the college paper.
He starts courting her: Christian invites Ana for coffee, where he decides to distance himself from her. Unable to stay away, Christian sends her first-edition books as a gift. He then rescues a drunk Ana from a club and sobers her up in his hotel room. This is the first time that they share a bed! Leaving his hotel room, Christian and Ana kiss for the first time in the elevator. He later asks her out and flies her to his apartment in his helicopter, Charlie Tango.
He takes her virginity: Christian and Ana have sex, Ana's first time. The next morning, she meets Christian's mother, Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey. Ana reviews the contract that Christian has drawn up, stating the parameters of their relationship as dominant/submissive.
They define the relationship: Christian meets Ana's father at her college graduation, where she also agrees to become his submissive (although she has yet to sign the contract). As a graduation present, Christian buys Ana a car. Later that week, Ana meets Christian's family when they attend dinner at his childhood home. Christian flies to Georgia to see Ana, where he meets her mother, Carla. Before leaving, Christian invites Ana on a date where they go gliding; this is the first time he refers to her as his girlfriend.
They break up: Christian takes Ana to the Red Room for the first time. At her request, he shows her the extent of his "punishments," causing her extreme pain and forcing her to reevaluate their relationship. Ana tells Christian that she loves him, to which he responds negatively. Distraught, Ana breaks up with Christian.

Fifty Shades Darker

They get back together: For the first time since their breakup, Christian reaches out to Ana, sending her a bouquet of flowers and wishing her luck at her new job as Jack Hyde's assistant at Seattle Independent Publishing. Still broken up, Christian and Ana attend José's gallery opening as dates. They agree to get back together, on the condition that they will try a "vanilla" relationship.
The danger begins: Christian's ex-submissive, Leila Williams, begins to stalk Ana, sparking Christian to hire Luke Sawyer as a personal bodyguard for her. Soon after, Christian purchases SIP and Ana fears that he will interfere with her career. The couple then attends Christian's parents' annual charity ball; Ana meets his maternal grandparents, his therapist, Dr. Flynn, and Elena Lincoln aka Mrs. Robinson. Christian bids $100,000 to dance with Ana at the masquerade, inciting jealousy in Elena. That same night, Leila vandalizes Ana's car and breaks into Christian's apartment. Christian takes Ana to buy a new car, as well as shows her their potential future home. The next week, Jack Hyde assaults Ana in his office and is promptly fired from SIP; Ana takes over his job. Shortly after, Leila breaks into Ana's apartment and threatens her with a gun.
They get engaged: Christian confides in Ana about Leila, his past, and the truth behind his behavior. He proposes to Ana, but she delays giving him an answer. Ana meets with Christian's therapist, Dr. Flynn, to discuss Christian's issues. The next day, Christian gets into a helicopter crash but returns home safely. Relieved that he survives, Ana accepts Christian's marriage proposal on his 28th birthday. Christian announces his and Ana's engagement at the birthday party his family throws for him. Mrs. Robinson aka Elena Lincoln becomes hostile with Ana, accidentally revealing her own affair with him to her friend and Christian's mother, Grace. Kate discovers the previous dom/sub contract Christian had drawn up, allowing Ana to be honest with her friend for the first time. Christian takes Ana to the boathouse, which he has beautifully decorated, and proposes to Ana with a ring, which she accepts.

Fifty Shades Freed

They get married: Christian and Ana get married and honeymoon in Europe, sailing on his boat, The Grace. After an argument, Ana agrees to take Christian's last name, becoming Mrs. Anastasia Grey. As a wedding present, Christian gives Ana SIP; she renames it Grey Publishing.
Things get complicated: While Christian is away on a business trip, Ana discovers Jack Hyde in their apartment. Though disarmed by security, he had intended to kidnap Ana. To help take her mind off of things, Christian surprises Ana with a trip to their estate in Aspen, bringing along Mia, Elliot, Kate, and Kate's brother, Ethan. While there, Elliot proposes to Kate, making Kate Ana's future sister-in-law. When they return to Seattle, Ana's father, Ray, gets into a car crash; while visiting him at the hospital, Ana learns that she is pregnant.
The final fight: Ana tells Christian of her pregnancy and he accuses her of getting pregnant on purpose; this, along with Christian's recent contact with Elena, prompts a tense disagreement, and the two don't speak for days. Ana learns that Mia has been kidnapped by Jack Hyde, who is demanding a ransom; Ana pretends to leave Christian and takes money out of the bank to rescue Mia. Believing Ana truly doesn't love him, a heartbroken Christian agrees to let Ana go.
The ending, and flash-forward: Hyde attacks Ana out of anger, beating her to unconsciousness and causing her to almost lose her baby. Fearing that he had lost Ana forever, Christian realizes that Ana always loved him and warms to becoming a father. Two years later, Ana has given birth to a son named Teddy and is six months pregnant with their daughter.