If it hadn't been for Bridget Connell and her charge Vicky Hudson, his childhood best friend and sometimes lover, Jake probably would have just struck out on his own.

Jake and Vicky came to Bay City to con her biological family, the Loves, out of a fortune.

Jake helped Vicky deliver her son Steven Michael Frame and was named his godfather.

Donna later lost custody of her adopted son Mikey because she was blackmailed by Stacey Winthrop over their one-night-stand.

He began working with Iris Wheeler to prove that Paulina Cantrell was not really Mac Cory's daughter.

Marley stood trial for Jake's attempted murder, but was let off when Donna confessed (though she did not shoot him either and was only protecting her daughter).

Paulina agreed to give their marriage another chance, but Jake put things in jeopardy when he went along with Vicky's scam to pretend that her son, Kirkland, was a foundling that Paulina had discovered (Vicky was trying hide Kirkland from his father Grant Harrison).

Jake returned to Bay City, to find Paulina had moved on—she was in love with private detective Joe Carlino.

Jake had almost given up all hope when Vicky learned the truth about Bobby—his real name was Shane Roberts, and he was a fugitive on the run, accused of killing his lover.

Kirkland was struck by a car on their wedding day so Jake and Vicky married at his hospital bedside.

Jake refused to forgive and forget, bringing Marley's past up constantly, all the while ignoring his own substantial role in her break down.

He has moved out of the house, but the sudden arrival of Sean (who turns out to be the son his brother Kevin Anderson fathered as a young teenager and never mentioned) throws the two of them back together.

Jake was unexpectedly thrust into one of Oakdale's biggest stories when he inadvertently hired the baby nurse who helped to hold Emily Stewart hostage.

Jake was determined to get the entire story behind Wallace's illegal activities and stood up to his boss, Lucinda, when she tried to get him to go for the quick and easy headline.

Fearing for his wife's safety, Jake convinced her to get a bodyguard and leave the country, only to have her plane crash due to the guard's sabotage.

Jake tried to deal with his loss with help from Lucinda as well as rival reporter, Julia Lindsay.

Though ecstatically happy, Molly continued to be wary of Abigail's friendship with Nick, and for good reason.

Trying to protect her daughter, Molly confessed to the crime, but soon evidence came forth showing Abigail to be the prime suspect.

Without police help, Jake stormed in to rescue Molly and, though he succeeded, it was at the cost of his own life as he was shot while wrestling a gun away from Mary.

After Jake's death, Bridget and Michelle were taken back to Bay City by Vicky's mother and sister.