Her namesake
Marin Ka-Fai asked for a oneshot of Gretchen giving birth to a daughter at 18. When Emma checks up on her, Gretchen declares her intention to name the baby Emma as Emma saved their family and is her hero.
Guest: I'm afraid there's nothing I could add to that chapter that I haven't already wrote in previous chapters.
Timogen: I don't think I'd be able to write that.
Guest and Guest: I'm afraid these have been too closely covered.
Grant: When was your last request?
Emma of all the people in Storybrooke understood how it felt to fall pregnant as a teenager. Yes, Ashley had, but in reality she was Cinderella. A happily married princess from the Enchanted Forest with everything money could buy for her new baby so she didn't really count in Emma's eyes. So when Gretchen (Ava Zimmer) fell pregnant at the beginning of her senior year of high school and Henry had passed on the rumours to her, Emma just knew she had to be there to help. Yes, she'd put Henry up for adoption, but she could still empathise with how Gretchen was feeling.
Nine months flew past so quickly, and Gretchen delivered a healthy baby girl. Emma gave them some space, wanting to give the pair time to bond. A week after the baby was born Emma headed up to the Zimmer house. The door flew open before she even had a chance to knock.
"Emma!" Gretchen greeted her enthusiastically, throwing her arms around her. "It's so good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too kid." Emma responded chuckling, returning the hug. "How's motherhood?"
"Tiring, but wonderful." Gretchen answered. "Come on in, she's sleeping just now but you can certainly have a peek." Emma followed her inside and into the living room, where the newest addition to Storybrooke was snoozing away in her Moses basket.
"Aww, she's beautiful Gretchen." Emma whispered, peering over the basket. "You must be so proud, congratulations. Does she have a name yet?" Emma saw Gretchen smile shyly before she nodded.
"Emma, meet Emma." She answered. Emma's whole face lit up. She'd named the baby after her. "Emma, you saved me and my brother from being taken into care during the first curse, I never forgot that. You got us reunited with dad. You've saved the people of this town so many times I've lost count. You're my hero, Emma, and I can't think of a better name for my daughter to have than yours…at least if that's ok?" Emma moved over and hugged her.
"I'd be honoured." Emma responded, voice filled with emotion. Sometimes, you never really know the impact you've had on someone until they let you know in a way like this.